‘Well-Tempered Clavier’ takes starring role

The piano is a versatile musical instrument and each year the San Francisco International Piano Festival, led by the tireless and inventive Jeffrey LaDeur, finds a wealth of ways to celebrate that stylistic diversity.

This year, the festival celebrates the 300th anniversary of Bach’s “Well-Tempered Clavier,” the collection of preludes and fugues in every major and minor key. LaDeur and pianist Rachel Breen open the festival Thursday, Aug. 18, with selections from the work and jazz pianist Tammy Hall helps conclude the proceedings on Aug. 28 with a selection of Bachinspired tunes.

In between comes a variety of offerings that include Brahms with the Aveta Trio, a program devoted to the music of San Francisco composer Elinor Armer, and the West Coast recital debut of pianist Jan Bartos.

San Francisco International Piano Festival: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18. Through Aug. 28. $25-$50. Various locations. www.sfpiano.org

Irene Young