Record number of entries for 'Piano Olympics'

Record number of entries for 'PIANO OLYMPICS'

Kerikeri National Piano Competition
attracts musicians from throughout world

A record number of applications have been received for the 2010 Kerikeri National Piano Competition and organisers are tipping it to be the best yet. Thirty-four applications from as far afield as Russia, Israel and Singapore were received for the prestigious biennial event to be staged at The Centre, Kerikeri, from July 1-4.

The anonymous assessor who has spent many hours listening to the audition recordings commented that the 34 entries were of a very high standard making selection of the 18 contestants extremely difficult and demanding.

This will ensure that audiences are guaranteed only the very highest quality of performance and that the level of competition will be outstanding.

The KNPC Trustees are delighted with the interest shown in the event. Coordinator, John Jackets, commented that “The Competition is now truly international. Its growing reputation, along with the significant prize-pool of $25,000, has attracted young musicians from far and wide .” The 18 selected competitors range in age from 13-28 and come from Australia, Bulgaria, China, and Israel along with 8 from New Zealand.

The winner will receive $12,000 in prizemoney while second will receive $6000 and third $3000. There are additional prizes of $2000 for the Best Sonata Performance, and $1000 each for the Encouragement and People’s Choice awards. The competition is open to pianists of any nationality who are under 30 years as of June 30, 2010.

Mr Jackets likens the competition to the “Olympics” of the piano! The preparation, both mental and physical, is extremely demanding. All music must be performed from memory, a feat in itself. The selection of repertoire must include a major classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert, a 30 minute recital and, for the finalists, a 45-minute programme.

“That’s the incredible part of the challenge,” says Mr Jackets. “It’s the magic of youth. To be able to play these great works for solo piano from memory is amazing.”

Patron of the competition is internationally acclaimed pianist Michael Houstoun and this year’s judge will be award-winning pianist Albert Tiu from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore.

Mr Tiu has won major international piano competitions, including the first prize in the UNISA International Piano Competition in South Africa and the Juilliard William Petschek Award, which resulted in his highly-acclaimed New York debut recital in Alice Tully Hall.

Tickets for the four-day event will go on sale to the public on May 16 while Friends of KNPC may purchase them NOW. Tickets will be available at The Box Office, The Centre at Kerikeri, 09 4070260, 0800 200411 www.centakeri.com
More details can be obtained at www.knpc.org.nz

ENDS

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