“A Surprise in Texas” NY Premiere on 8/22, PBS Broadcast on 9/1

"A Surprise in Texas" is a documentary chronicling the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which has been called "the most prestigious classical piano contest in the world" by the Chicago Tribune and "the musical Olympics of the western world" by the Milwaukee Journal. As would be expected for a competition bearing the name of Steinway Artist Van Cliburn, the competition uses Steinway & Sons pianos exclusively. 

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 9:30 PM (ET), PBS will be presenting A Surprise in Texas: The Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, featuring the finalists vying for the 2009 competition's coveted gold medal. (Find Out More/Check Local Listings).

Leading up to the PBS broadcast, for those in the New York City area, there is an opportunity to view an advance screening at the New York Premiere on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 7:00 PM. This event will include a piano recital by Van Cliburn competitor Spencer Myer at 7:00 PM, followed by a screening of the film at 8:00 PM and Q&A with Myer and director Peter Rosen after the screening.

About "A Surprise in Texas"
Twenty-nine of the world's best young pianists hailing from fourteen countries converged in Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2009 for a once-in-a-lifetime chance at gold in the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Emmy Award®-winning director Peter Rosen followed these distinctive personalities during a rigorous three-week competition—through intense rehearsals, introspective moments, preconcert rituals and endearing celebrations. With performances of Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and other composers setting the impassioned tone, the result is an intricate view into the inner workings of the world's most prestigious piano competition, and a heartwarming story that proves to be a momentous surprise in Texas.