An intimate evening of world-class classical piano, drinks, and dessert
You are invited to a private recital by pianist Illia Ovcharenko in our home in New York City. Praised as “technically flawless and impeccably musical” (International Piano), winner of the 2022 Honens International Piano Competition, this young Ukrainian pianist has taken the piano world by storm.
According to Illia, he thrives on live performance, feeling as if two souls – his and the composer’s – are united together on stage. We will have the privilege to witness this together.
Saturday, May 16 — doors open at 7pm — recital starts 7:30pm — optional drinks and dessert reception with the pianist afterwards until about 10:00pm. For photos/videos of previous Lilacs events, see here.
To RSVP, go to the Eventbrite page here. As always, 100% of the proceeds will go to the pianist.
About Illia
When he was 6 and living in Chernihiv, Ukraine, Illia Ovcharenko heard a performance of Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto. After the concert, Illia told his mother he wanted to be a pianist when he grew up. Today, just a dozen years later, he is one of the world’s most celebrated young pianists, playing concerts all over the world.
Most recently, he won the Honens International Piano Competition —a competition that seeks to identify the “Complete Artist”—someone who demonstrates technical mastery, perseverance against adversity, and an understanding of musical text that is both intellectual and emotional. He’s also won top prizes at the New York, Hilton Head, Busoni and Horowitz Piano competitions.
Highlights of Ovcharenko’s 2025-26 season include performances at Wigmore Hall in London; Philharmonie de Paris, Klavierfestival “Le Piano Symphonique,” in Lucerne, Switzerland; National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, Poland; Concertgebouw Amsterdam; Konzerthaus Berlin; Nova Scotia Symphony; and Bravo! Vail Music Festival. He will also perform on tour with the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.
Illia began piano lessons at 9 and gave his first concert at 12. At 13 he moved to Kyiv, and later to Tel Aviv, for advanced training. He’s currently finishing a master’s program with his longtime mentor, Arie Vardi, in Hannover.
The program
S. Bortkiewicz:
“Lied Ohne Worte” and “Etude” from 4 Klavierstücke, Op. 65
“Prelude” from 3 Pieces, Op.6
Etude No. 3, “La brune” from 12 Etudes nouvelles, Op. 29
L. Beethoven / F. Liszt: Symphony No.7, 2nd movement
R. Schumann: Etudes in Variation Form on a Theme by Beethoven, WoO.31
D. Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in B minor, K.87
F. Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor, S.178