Bonn — the city where Beethoven was born in 1770 — just wrapped up its month-long Beethovenfest, which ran from September 3 to October 3, 2026.
It was a homecoming in more ways than one. The festival's main venue, the Beethovenhalle, reopened in December 2025 after being closed for almost ten years of renovation. This September it was back at the center of the festival, with the London Symphony Orchestra opening the program.
The world of piano music is having a remarkable moment. From concert halls to streaming playlists to social media feeds, the piano is more culturally visible than it has been in decades. Here's a look at the biggest trends shaping how we listen to, play, and think about piano music right now.
It's never been a better time to learn the piano. Whether you're a complete beginner, a parent considering lessons for your child, or an adult who always meant to pick it up, here are ten compelling reasons why learning piano is one of the best decisions you can make — backed by research and decades of music education evidence.
