Two generations of master musicians will bring their talents to the University of Houston for the 31st Annual International Piano Festival. Included in this year's event are festival founder and one of classical music's most esteemed figures Abbey Simon, popular concert artist Sandro Russo and innovative duo Anderson and Roe.

Simon, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Professor of Music, turns 92 this year and continues to lead the festival he founded in 1984. A child prodigy, Simon picked up the piano at age 3 after replicating sounds he heard on the radio. That initial foray into music led Simon on a creative journey that has extended for nearly a century. Simon was trained by legendary composer Josef Hofmann. He earned the prestigious Walter Naumburg Prize in 1940 — leading to performances at New York’s Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. In 1977, he brought his talents to UH, where he continues to groom rising musicians and entertain Houston concertgoers. Simon remains one of the most recorded classical music artists of all time.

The program includes Beethoven's Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 "Moonlight," Schumann's Carnaval, Op. 9 and Chopin's Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58.