Key West Impromptu Classical Concerts Announces 2025 Season

Key West Impromptu Classical Concerts began 53 years ago when music lover Richard Lischer was the owner of a popular restaurant in the heart of Key West, The Buttery.  In January of 1972 Richard had a professional musician friend, a notable concert pianist, visiting with him at his Casa Gato home.  His guest, the renowned Alicia de Larrocha, in return for Richard’s hospitality, offered to give a concert as a “thank you to Key West”. The result:  a special impromptu dinner and concert evening at The Buttery on January 6, 1972, with some fifty dinner buying attendees with no foreknowledge this was to be the birth of the Impromptu Concert series.  Among the attendees was Raymond Weiss, owner of a concert-artist management agency in New York City, who had a home in Key West.  An informal partnership was born, offering concerts not only when Richard’s musical friends were visiting, but also whenever a Weiss client chanced to be playing in South Florida and could be coaxed to spend a few days in Key West.

These Impromptu concerts continued for over twenty years at multiple venues in Key West until the growth and popularity required finding a larger, permanent home.  In 1994, Impromptu Concerts moved to its present location, the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal church on Duval Street.

The six-series concerts are no longer “Impromptu”, requiring a two-year booking lead time for the acclaimed performers presented to both local and visiting concertgoers.  The 2025 season will again present a roster of well-known classical chamber music groups and individual performers on the following dates:

  • Jan 12 – Cellist Thomas Mesa and Organist Greg Zelek featuring the historic pipe organ at St. Paul’s.
  • Jan 26 – Violinist Simone Porter – recognized as an emerging artist of impassioned energy and interpretive integrity.
  • Feb 9 – Dover Quartet – Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music Magazine.
  • Feb 23 –Avery Gagliano – 22-year-old pianist, chosen as Impromptu’s 2025 “Rising Star”.
  • Mar 9 – Poulenc Trio – A pioneering oboe, bassoon and piano ensemble.
  • Mar 23 – Duo Beaux Arts – International competition winning piano ensemble.

All concerts begin at 4 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal church at 401 Duval Street.  Admission is $20 at the door and students are admitted free.  Full season subscriptions start at $100 and can be purchased online at www.keywestimpromptu.org.

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