International Piano Festival Lindlar 2026

Two Weeks of Piano in the Bergisches Land

The International Piano Festival Lindlar is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most ambitious classical music festivals and a hidden gem for all piano enthusiasts. Under the artistic direction of Professor Falko Steinbach, a festival was established over a decade ago that connects internationally renowned pianists with the rural charm of the Bergisches Land — and connects the Bergisches Land with the international classical scene.

When and Where?

• Dates: Sunday, July 19th to Friday, July 31st, 2026
• Opening Concert: July 19th, 2026, Lindlar Cultural Center
• Closing Concert: July 31st, 2026
• Venues: 12 different locations in the Bergisches Land

Scope of the Program

24+ Concerts — Almost All Free Admission

More than 24 concerts form the heart of the festival. Pianists of international renown will perform solo programs (from Bach to Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt, to Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and contemporary composers), chamber music evenings (piano trios, quartets, piano quintets), lieder recitals with piano accompaniment, and piano concertos with orchestra. The vast majority of concerts are free of charge — a remarkable concept in the classical music world.

5 Workshops

Five workshops are aimed at students and ambitious amateurs: piano technique, stage presence, interpretation, repertoire selection. The workshops are led by Prof. Steinbach and guest lecturers.

5 Educational Events

Five educational events offer insights into the world of piano: lectures on composers, the history of piano making, the effect of music on the brain and body, and pedagogical topics. Suitable for an interested audience, not just for specialists.

Masterclasses for Piano, Violin, Cello, and Voice

The festival is also an educational festival: masterclasses for young musicians from around the world who work with the instructors during the two weeks and present their progress at the closing concert. The masterclasses for piano are central, complemented by courses for violin, cello, and voice.

12 Venues Between Lindlar and Nümbrecht

The festival is decentrally organized — it utilizes 12 locations in the Bergisches Land:

• Lindlar — Cultural Center (main venue), Church
• Wipperfürth — Cultural Center
• Gummersbach — Halle 32
• Morsbach
• Marienheide
• Nümbrecht
• Wiehl-Bielstein
• Engelskirchen
• and others

This allows the festival to open up the entire Oberbergisches Land region as a classical music destination — and offers visitors a cultural tour through a particularly beautiful landscape.

Prof. Falko Steinbach — The Artistic Director

Prof. Falko Steinbach is a pianist, composer, university lecturer (University of New Mexico, USA), and a native of the Bergisches Land. He founded the festival over ten years ago with the mission to bring world-class classical music to the Bergisches Land. His international contacts bring renowned soloists to Lindlar every year; his pedagogical standards make the festival one of the most important educational festivals in the region.

The Bergisches Land — Stage and Source of Inspiration

The Oberbergisches Land is located between Cologne and the Sauerland region — a gently rolling low mountain range with forests, reservoirs (Aggertalsperre, Bever-Talsperre), half-timbered towns, and a tranquil culture. Lindlar itself is a small, charming municipality with approximately 21,000 inhabitants. The piano festival brings an international, cosmopolitan flair to this rural region — without losing its regional identity.