🌿 A New Musical Tradition Begins: Introducing The Seasons

A New Cycle for Piano and Orchestra Premiering at The Stars of Summer

Sometimes the most meaningful artistic creations begin with a simple idea — an idea inspired by imagination, collaboration, and a shared love for music.

This season, The Stars of Summer International Competition & Festival is proud to introduce a remarkable new musical work:The Seasons — a cycle for Piano and Orchestra by Alexander Peskanov, created especially for The Stars of Summer and dedicated to our Musical Director and Co-Founder, Olga Druzhinina.

This extraordinary project marks an important new chapter in the artistic history of the festival — one that will shape its musical identity for years to come.

The Beginning of an Idea

The concept of creating a seasonal musical cycle began with Olga Druzhinina, whose artistic vision has helped shape The Stars of Summer since its founding.

She imagined a work that would guide performers and audiences through the emotional colors and imagery of the year — from winter stillness to the warmth of summer and the reflective beauty of autumn.

When this idea was shared with composer, pianist, and Chairman of the Stars of Summer Jury Alexander Peskanov, he embraced it with remarkable enthusiasm. Inspired by the vision, Maestro Peskanov expanded the concept into a complete four-part orchestral cycle, drawing upon lyrical material and creating new movements that together form a unified musical journey.

In a deeply meaningful gesture, Maestro Peskanov dedicated the completed cycle to Olga Druzhinina and presented The Seasons as a gift to The Stars of Summer — a lasting contribution to the artistic life of the festival and to the young musicians who participate in it.

The Music of the Seasons

The cycle reflects the changing moods and character of the year, offering performers a vivid musical narrative that unfolds across four movements:

•  WINTER — Winter Evening A lyrical and contemplative movement capturing the quiet stillness of winter twilight.

•  SPRING — Cuckoo Birds Light, playful, and filled with the sense of renewal that comes with the first signs of spring.

•  SUMMER — Poigini Greine Warm and energetic, evoking movement, sunlight, and vibrant life.

•  AUTUMN — Autumn Waltz Elegant and reflective, bringing the cycle to a graceful and poetic conclusion.

Together, these movements create a musical journey that invites both performers and audiences to experience the beauty of the seasons through sound.

A Historic Premiere in a Meaningful Place

The premiere performance of The Seasons will take place in one of Cleveland’s most meaningful cultural spaces — the Russian Cultural Garden.

This setting is especially symbolic. The Russian Cultural Garden stands as a celebration of artistic heritage, cultural memory, and community — values that lie at the heart of The Stars of Summer.

Presenting the premiere in this environment connects music with place, tradition, and the shared cultural history that inspires young artists to grow and create.

The moment promises to be both musically and historically significant — not only for the performers who will bring the music to life, but also for the audiences who will witness the birth of a new artistic tradition.

Introducing the Stars of Summer Founders’ Prize

To celebrate the creation of The Seasons, The Stars of Summer proudly introduces a new artistic distinction:

⭐ The Stars of Summer Founders’ Prize

This special prize will be awarded to performers who undertake the unique challenge of presenting all four movements of The Seasons as a complete musical cycle.

To encourage participation in this exciting initiative, a special reduced admission fee of $250 has been established for the Founders’ Prize category.

This represents a significant reduction from the standard $600 total fee (based on $150 per Solo with Orchestra entry for four individual movements).

Through this initiative, The Stars of Summer encourages young musicians to explore large-scale repertoire, develop artistic continuity, and become part of establishing a new tradition within the festival.

A Gift to the Future

Few festivals have the opportunity to introduce new repertoire created specifically for their performers. Even fewer receive such a work as a gift — offered in the spirit of artistic friendship and shared purpose.

The Seasons represents more than a musical composition.It is a legacy — one that will grow with every performance and every new generation of musicians who interpret its music.

As The Stars of Summer continues to evolve, this new cycle will stand as a symbol of creativity, collaboration, and artistic vision.

Join Us in Celebrating a New Beginning

We invite our participants, teachers, families, and audiences to become part of this exciting new chapter.

Be among the first to experience the premiere.

Be among the first to perform the music.

Be among the first to help shape a tradition that will continue for years to come.

✨ A new season begins — and with it, a new legacy.