The Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation
The Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation is an American classical music organization based in Miami , Florida . Its aim is to introduce the broadest possible audience to the world of music, with a special emphasis on music for piano duo - both for a piano four hands and for two pianos. It was founded in 1987 by the pianist and teacher Loretta Dranoff (1922–2011) in memory of her spouse, the pianist Murray Dranoff (1919–1985), with whom she had performed regularly as a piano duo.
Since then, the foundation has been a leader in the renaissance of piano duo playing and holds a competition for piano duos every four years. Pianists up to 33 years of age are eligible to participate. At the time of its creation, it was the first such competition. Many of the winners owe the start of their careers to the competition and are now extremely successful.
Alvin Perlman Commission
The Alvin Perlman Commission , which is part of the foundation, supports the expansion of the piano duo repertoire. Every year of the competition, a major composer is commissioned to compose a piece. Some of the most important commissioned works are Two Pianos by Morton Gould , Variations Concertantes by Michel Legrand , Recuerdos by William Bolcom , Taschyag by Paul Schoenfield , Six Variations for Pianos by Ned Rorem , Charoscuro by John Corigliano , Bachanale by Rovert Xavier Rodriguez and Lillibulero Variations by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett .
Piano slam
In the Piano Slam series of events , financially disadvantaged school children from Miami are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with classical music. A number of public schools are attended by classical artists, pop artists, and poets, while children are encouraged to get creative and compose a piece. The best work will be honored and students will have the opportunity to present it to a live audience at the Adrienne Arscht Center for the Arts in Miami.