Borderland Chopin International Competition 2024

Welcome to UTEP

The Borderland Chopin Story

The Borderland Chopin International Competition and Festival was created by Dr. Oscar Macchioni to promote the music of beloved Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, as well as other composers from unrepresented groups, in the Borderland region (West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico) In addition to bringing artists of international caliber to the University of Texas at El Paso, we wish to engage the community through concerts, masterclasses, outreach, and musical instrument donations.

“Borderland” refers to three border cities, encompassing two countries and three states: El Paso in Texas, and Las Cruces in New Mexico, USA, and Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, México. This is a rich cultural area known for its artisans and culinary wonders, mountains, and the Chihuahuan Desert beauty Our host, The University of Texas at El Paso, boasts a beautiful, unique campus in Bhutanese architecture.

The Bonnie Brooks Family Foundation

Dr. Bonnie S. Brooks was an educational psychology professor at the University of Texas-El Paso and a long-time resident of El Paso, where she accumulated far too many honors and accomplishments to enumerate here. She served as President of the prestigious and influential El Paso Woman's Club. She was deeply involved in the classical musical arts of El Paso, presiding over the El Paso Pro-Musica Guild and enthusiastically supporting the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and Opera El Paso She was an accomplished pianist whose performances were enjoyed by many in the El Paso area.

After the passing of her first husband, her life of travel, exploration, and adventure continued with her marriage to Lewis Peeples in 2007. At their summer residence in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, Bonnie was a major donor to the Rails-to-Trails program, whose reconstruction of 'Bonnie's Trestle' was accomplished on her property in 2019.

Her hospitality was legendary, and many friends and relatives were regular visitors in the cool mountains of Cloudcroft, where they enjoyed Bonnie's sparkling personality, piano music, boundless enthusiasm and love of people

Bonnie died unexpectedly in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 3, 2020. She is deeply missed and never forgotten by the many whose lives she touched Her legacy lives on with the Bonnie Brooks Family Foundation, managed by Lewis Peeples. The Borderland Chopin International Competition is honored and extremely grateful to be endowed by this Foundation.

From the Founder and Artistic Director

Dr. Oscar Macchioni

Associate Prof.. of Piano Pedagogy, University of North Texas

Distinguished Teaching Prof. University of Texas at El Paso

I am honored to serve as the Founder and Artistic Director of the Borderland Chopin International Competition and Festival. The genesis of this endeavor started with casual conversations with my dear friend Bonnie Brooks about what would be a significant music event for the El Paso piano community. After many meetings over dinner and wine at her beloved cabin in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, we started drafting several options. Unfortunately, Bonnie passed away, but her loving husband, Lewis Peeples, promised we would fulfill Bonnie´ s wishes. We crafted a unique festival and international competition unparalleled in the Borderland region. Its mission is to bring world-renowned artists to the area, engaging with piano students, teachers, and the community through outreach concerts, masterclasses, and competitions The Bonnie Brooks Family Foundation also established a Piano Pedagogy Endowment and a Professorship in Music at UTEP and donated a Steinway Spiro D, the selected piano for this competition Last year, we hosted a local competition and sent a UTEP piano student to Poland to attend a summer course at the Cracow Academy of Music. I am hopeful Bonnie´ s musical and philanthropic legacy will be honored through this competition. There are so many people I would like to thank, I encourage you to look at the Acknowledgment section in this program. I hope I see you next year for the Borderland Chopin Festival, and in 2027 for the 2nd edition of the International Competition.

From the Executive Director

I am so proud and excited to be a part of the Borderland Chopin International Competition! When Oscar Macchioni asked me to join him in creating and developing this new competition, I didn’t hesitate to think it over I’ve organized and managed five different competitions, but none on this scale. It’s a challenge, but to be able to bring a high-caliber piano competition to the wonderful city of El Paso, Texas, is beyond thrilling.

I spent my entire public school teaching years in El Paso. Upon retiring, I bought an 1873 Steinway Grand Piano and sought the best piano teacher in El Paso It was Oscar Macchioni He introduced me to Bonnie Brooks, a friend of his. Bonnie and I became piano partners and performed piano duets and 2-piano, 4 hand piano works. I was stunned and devastated by her untimely passing, and to be able to carry on the legacy of Bonnie Brooks through this piano competition is a tremendous honor for me.

Deborah Svedman

Program

Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22

Ballade No. 1 in g minor, Op. 23

Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54

Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61

Variations on a theme of Chopin, Op. 22

Tema. Largo

Variation No. 1 - Moderato

Variation No. 2 – Allegro

Variation No. 3 – (L’istesso tempo)

Variation No. 4 – (L’istesso tempo)

Variation No. 5 – Meno mosso

Variation No. 6 – Meno mosso

Variation No. 7 – Allegro

Variation No. 8 – (L’istesso tempo)

Variation No. 9 – (L’istesso tempo)

Variation No. 10- Più vivo

Variation No. 11 – Lento

Intermission

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Valse No. 2, Op. 42 aus: Fünf Specialstudien nach Chopin

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Variation No. 12 - Moderato

Variation No. 13 – Largo

Variation No. 14 – Moderato

Variation No. 15 – Allegro-scherzando

Variation No. 16 – Lento

Variation No. 17 – Grave

Variation No. 18 – Più mosso

Variation No. 19 – Allegro vivace

Variation No. 20 – Presto

Variation No. 21 – Andante

Variation No. 22 – Maestoso – Meno mosso – Presto

Discography: PIANO CLASSICS, ACCENTUS, NAΪVE

Max Reger (1873-1916)

Exclusive Management: ARTS MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., 130 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Arrival of Quarterfinalists and Judges

Ten Quarterfinalists test the piano for 15 minutes each 1:30-4:00 P.M.

Welcoming Reception for Quarterfinalists and Judges 6:00-7:15 P.M.

Opening Concert by Guest Artist Zlata Chochieva 7:30 P.M.

Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, UTEP campus

Drawing for competition order at Intermission

Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Quarterfinals

Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, UTEP campus

Quarterfinalist #1 . . . . . 10:00 A.M. Quarterfinalist #6 . . . . . 2:00 P.M.

Quarterfinalist #2 . . . . . 10:32 A.M. Quarterfinalist #7 . . . . . 2:32 P.M.

Quarterfinalist #3 . . . . . 11:04 A.M. Quarterfinalist #8 . . . . . 3:04 P.M.

Quarterfinalist #4 . . . . . 11:36 A.M. Quarterfinalist #9 . . . . . 3:36 P.M.

Quarterfinalist #5 . . . . . 12:08 P.M. Quarterfinalist #10 . . . . . 4:08 P.M.

LUNCH BREAK . . . 12:40 – 2:00P.M. Announcement of Six (6) Semifinalists approximately 5:00 P.M.

Michael Jurewicz, Piano Technician

Michael Jurewicz has spent the last 5 years as concert technician and head tech of a large piano dealership. He has trained with Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Bechstein in Germany and Fazioli in Italy. These experiences have led him to be a leading piano technician in the NY Tri State area Michael has tuned for large concert halls, to small ones, recording studios and of course, pianos all over the NY, CT, NJ area Michael also has extensive knowledge on action rebuilding, with a focus on Steinway actions He can help you with hammer selection, weigh-off and design Other notable accomplishments are being a published writer for the Piano Technicians Guild Journal, as well as a member of the Board of Advisors for the North Bennet Street School in Boston. Michael has a background in musical composition with Bachelor’s of Music from Columbia College Chicago.

Friday, May 24, 2024 –

Schedule of Events

Semifinals

Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, UTEP campus

Semifinalist #1 . . . . . 10:00 A.M.

Semifinalist #2 . . . . . 10:52 A.M.

Semifinalist #3 . . . . . 11:44 A.M.

LUNCH BREAK . . . . 12:40 – 2:00 P.M

Semifinalist #4 . . . . . 2:00 P.M.

Semifinalist #5 . . . . . 2:35 P.M.

Semifinalist #6 . . . . . 3:44 P.M.

Announcement of three (3) Finalists . . . 5:00 P.M.

Concerto rehearsal with Finalist #1 . . . . 6:30 P.M. Room 438

Concerto rehearsal with Finalist #2 . . . . 7:30 P.M. Room 438

Concerto rehearsal with Finalist #3 . . . . 8:30 P.M. Room 438

Saturday, May 25, 2024 – Finals

Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, UTEP campus

Finalist #1 . . . . . . 3:00 P.M.

Finalist #2 performs approximately 5 minutes after #1

Finalist #3 performs approximately 5 minutes after #2

Awards Ceremony . . . .5:00 P.M.

Judges

Magdalena Baschewska

Poland/USA

Pianist and harpsichordist Magdalena Baczewska [ba-CHEV-ska] enjoys a multifaceted career as a concert artist, educator, and speaker. Having made her solo debut with the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra at age 12 in her native Poland, Baczewska performed internationally with the world’s leading orchestras. Baczewska is Professor of Music and Director of the Music Performance Program at Columbia University. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award fromthePolishMinisterof Cultureand NationalHeritage,BogdanZdrojewski,for promoting Polish culture abroad. As an avid educator, she has given master classes and lectures around the world. Baczewska holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Mannes College The New School for Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music.

Russia

At only four years old, Zlata made her first stage appearance and just three years later, gave her debut with orchestra performing a Mozart Concerto at Grand Hall of Moscow State Conservatory. Since then, she has given concerts world-wide, she has performed with numerous major orchestras throughout Europe, and her sensational recording of the Chopin Etudes was included in Gramophone's list of 10 greatest Chopin recordings. Along with an orchestral repertoire of over 50 concerti, Zlata Chochieva is a devoted chamber music performer as well. A protege of Mikhail Pletnev at Central Special Music School, she also studied with Pavel Nersessian at Moscow State Conservatory. She completed her studies at Mozarteum University of Salzburg with Jacques Rouvier and was subsequently his assistant for several years. In 2018, Zlata established the International Festival at Rachmaninov's estate in lvanovka and serves as its Director.

United States

Recognized as one of the best Chopin interpreters of our time, Kevin Kenner was the top prize winner in the 1990 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, as well as top prizes in the Tchaikovsky Competition and the Terrance Judd Competition, among others. Born in California, Kenner was introduced early to the classical music traditions of Poland and studied as a teenager with Poland’s eminent professor Ludwik Stefański in Cracow. He continued his U.S. studies with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and worked with Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center. Kenner’s recorded interpretations of works by Paderewski and Chopin were each picked as recordings of the month by Grammophone magazine. Kenner taught at London’s Royal College of Music, and is currently a professor at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. He has served as juror at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano and at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw among many others.

Argentina/USA

A native of Argentina, Oscar Macchioni is an accomplished solo and collaborative pianist, professor, lecturer, author, recording artist, and adjudicator. Critics have praised his clarity of lines, tone quality, expressive phrasing, and the amiable way he presents his programs. Oscar has performed extensively in his native Argentina, Italy, England, Poland, Serbia, Turkey, Mexico, and the USA. He is an assiduous performer of classical Latin American repertoire.He studied piano at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (Argentina), the Krakow Academy of Music (Poland), Louisiana State University, and the University of Arizona (USA). Oscar is a tenured Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of North Texas College of Music. Previously, he was a full tenured Professor of Piano, Assistant Chair, and Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he held the Bonnie Brooks Professorship in Music. Oscar Macchioni is a Steinway Artist.

Zlata Chochieva

Kevin Kenner

Oscar Macchioni

Judges

United States

Pamela Paul is both a brilliant performer and a deeply dedicated teacher. On stage, she has performed with the world’s great orchestras. She has given concerts throughout the United States, and in Europe, the People’s Republic of China, South Korea and Turkey both as soloist and as chamber musician. In the studio, or in the setting of a masterclass, she is an internationally sought-after pedagogue. Ms. Paul has commissioned and premiered works for the piano, and has received critical acclaim for her appearances with orchestras in the United States and Europe, where her interpretations of both standard repertoire and twentieth-century piano concertos have garnered consistent critical praise. She received the doctor of musical arts, master of music, and bachelor of music degrees from the Juilliard School. Dr. Paul was selected as one of five judges for the international screening jury of the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. She is currently Regents Professor of Piano at the University of North Texas and is a Steinway artist.

Italy/USA

Born and raised in Foggia, Italy, Antonio Pompa-Baldi won the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 1999 and also won a silver medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He then embarked on a career that continues to extend across five continents. Mr. Pompa-Baldi appears at the world’s major concert venues and has collaborated with leading conductors. He has performed with ensembles and colleagues such as Takacs String Quartet and principals of the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, and New York Philharmonic, among others.Mr. Pompa-Baldi has recorded over 30 CDs to date. He is a Steinway Artist and is on the Piano Faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2015, Pompa-Baldi founded the Todi International Music Masters festival, of which he is Artistic Director and Faculty Member.

Czech Republic/USA

Czech-American conductor Bohuslav Rattay is a busy ambassador for classical music, working with orchestras across the globe to produce symphonic works of all kinds to a diverse audience. Currently serving as Music Director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the Midland Symphony Orchestra of Michigan, Mr. Rattay combines impassioned and virtuosic musicianship with a determination to bring great music into the lives of all people. He designs unique concert programs, incorporating special audience discussions and multi-media elements. He is also appreciated for his passion for the classics, with special appreciation often given to his insightful understanding of the music of his native Bohemia. Mr. Rattay holds degrees from the Prague Conservatory, Rice University and the Peabody Institute of Music.

Collaborative Pianist

Belarus/USA

Pianist Dzmitry Ulasiuk was raised in an environment of classical music in Minsk, Belarus. He started professional piano studies at age 16 and performed a solo recital of all Chopin music one year later. While working on his doctorate in Belarus, he was recruited to study in Texas and later completed his DMA. A winner or laureate of 17 international piano competitions, Dzmitry has performed world-wide, both solo recitals and with orchestras. Dzmitry has commercial CDs of Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Scriabin that have received critical acclaim for “his dazzling technique, fluid lyricism, and the poetic sensitivity that make his playing so compelling.” Dzmitry enjoys a performing career along with private teaching.

Dzmitry Ulasiuk

Pamela Mia Paul

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

Bohuslav Rattay

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Micha

ł Basista, 19

Poland

Michał Basista started to play the piano at the age of 4. Since 2023, he has been a student of Milena Kędra in the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, Poland. He won 15 first prizes and 5 Grand Prix, participating in over 60 nationwide and international music competitions. He also participated in many piano courses and open lessons with professors and esteemed pianists such as: Andrzej Jasiński, Andrzej Pikul, Ewa Pobłocka, Alicja Paleta-Bugaj, Mikhail Voskresenski, Zbigniew Raubo, Janusz Olejniczak and Kevin Kenner.

He has played recitals at the NOSPR (Katowice), at the Royal Castles in Warsaw and Kraków, and at the Philharmonics in Zilina and Kraków. He has received the Minister of Culture and National Heritage (twice) and the National Children’s Fund Scholarships five times in a row.

Live Quarterfinal Round:

• Karol Szymanowski: Masques op. 34 – Don Juan’s Serenade

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 59, No. 1

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in A-flat Major op. 10 No. 10

• Frédéric Chopin: Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante op. 22

Live Semifinal Round:

• Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableaux in D Major, Op. 39, No. 9

• Paweł Mykietyn: 4 Preludes for Piano

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42

• Frédéric Chopin: Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58

Live Final Round:

• Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

South Korean pianist Saeyoon Chon first studied piano in his native South Korea with Hyoung-Joon Chang. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree on full scholarship at the Glenn Gould School in the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, studying with John O’Conor. He also completed the Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School. During this period, Chon became a recipient of the prestigious Ihnatowycz Prize. He completed his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School with Robert McDonald.

Chon won First Prize at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition and has been a major prize winner at international piano competitions such as Maria Canals, Vendome, Valencia, Hanoi, Los Angeles, Orford, Cooper, Isdor Basic, Seoul, and Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

Saeyoon Chon, 28

South Korea

Saeyoon Chon made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall and has given solo recitals at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Elb Philharmonie, Hamburg, Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, Koerner Hall in Toronto, National Concert Hall in Dublin, Hong Kong City Hall, and others. He has performed at the Vebier, Four Seasons, Orford and Rockport Festivals. Chon has played with many orchestras including those of Cleveland, Seoul, HongKong, Valencia, HiltonHead, Astana, RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin, and many others.

Live Quarterfinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude Op.10, No. 10

• Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53,"Heroic"

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in F-sharp Minor, Op. 6, No. 1

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

• Franz Liszt: Rhapsodie Espagnole

Live Semifinal Round:

• Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 8 in B-flat Major, Op. 84

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 39

• Katie Jenkins:"Cerddoriaeth Bronwyn"

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69, No. 1

• Claude Debussy: Images II." "Cloches à travers les feuilles" and "Poissons d'or"

Live Final Round:

• Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16

Sunmin Kim, 22

South Korea

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Sunmin Kim, a pianist and composer, began his musical journey at age 10. At age 17, he started studying with HaeSun Paik at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 2023, he moved to New York and currently studies at The Juilliard School with Sergei Babayan.

Recipient of prestigious awards, Sunmin has achieved notable success in Korean competitions such as the Ewha-Kyunghyang and the Busan Music Competition, as well as international honors such as the Fou Ts’ong International Concerto Competition, among others. A Tan Family Foundation Scholarship recipient at NEC.

Sunmin has showcased his piano artistry globally, giving recitals and performing chamber music at venues such as Jordan Hall, Kumho Art Hall, and Seongnam Arts Center. Sunmin also has participated in esteemed festivals and had master classes with Alessio Bax, Alexander Korsantia, Antti Siirala, Lliya Zilberstein, Nelson DelleVigne Fabbri, and Jinsang Lee.

Beyond solo performances, Sunmin’s talent extends to choral composition. His choral works have been published by the renowned publishers in US and Korea, and featured in recordings by professional choirs. Currently, he works as an orchestra arranger at Sarang Church, under the guidance of Dr. Kisun Lee.

Live Quarterfinal Round

• Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in C Major, K. 95

• Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in C Minor, K. 56

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in B Major, Op. 56, No. 1

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in F Major, Op. 10, No. 8

• Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op. 44

Live Semifinal Round

• Franz Josef Haydn: Keyboard Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:48

• Leonid Desyatnikov: Red Arrowwood, Green Leaves from Songs of Bukovina

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31

• Franz Liszt: Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418

• Frédéric Chopin: Grande Valse Brillante in E-flat Major, Op. 18

Live Final Round

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Takeshi Nagayasu, 25 Japan

Takeshi Nagayasu, from Japan, is a 25-year-old pianist currently pursuing a doctorate degree in piano performance at University of Michigan with Logan Skelton. He previously earned a Master’s degree from Yale School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. His former teachers include Vladimir Feltsman, Melvin Chen, Boris Berman, Joseph Kalichstein, Matti Raekallio, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, and Xiaohe Xie.

Prizes he has won include Jacob Flier Competition during the Pianosummer at New Paltz, MTNA Competition in Michigan, and the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition. He is also a recipient of scholarship from Feltsman Piano Foundation in 2021 and Evelyn Bonar Storrs Scholarship from the Musical Club of Hartford in 2023.

Live Quarterfinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in E-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 11

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in C Major, Op. 24, No. 2

• Béla Bartók: Piano Sonata, BB 88, Sz. 80

Live Semifinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1

• Nicolas Namoradze: Étude 1: Major Scales

• Sergei Prokofiev: Étude in C Minor, Op. 2, No. 3

• Frédéric Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28

Live Final Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

Maria Narodytska, 35

Ukraine

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Live Quarterfinal Round:

Maria Narodytska is a pianist of Ukrainian origin. Her international concert activity includes such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York; Berliner Phillarmonie; Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna; Brucknerhaus Linz; Laeiszhalle in Hamburg; Casa da Musica in Porto; Ruth Taylor Recital Hall in San Antonio.

Recently Maria won prizes at Takamatsu IPC, Santa Cecilia IPC, Mauro Paulo Monopoli IPC and WorldVision IPC as well as more than 30 first prizes at international piano competitions overall.

Maria’s discography includes four albums dedicated to Brahms, Schubert and Beethoven released under the OnClassical label for further worldwide distribution by Naxos of America. Her album “Echos of The War” is going to be released under SOMM Recordings in August 2024.

Maria Narodytska is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine and Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. Her teachers include Milana Chernyavska, Stepan Simonian, Ralf Nattkemper and Natalia Tolpygo.

• Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, K. 9

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in B-flat Minor, Op. 24, No. 4

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in E-flat Minor, Op. 10, No. 6

• Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in C Minor, Op. 40, No. 2

• Claude Debussy: Étude pour les arpeges composes No. 11

• Franz Schubert – Franz Liszt: “Erl King”

Live Semifinal Round:

• Artem Lyahovitch: Postludes No. 4, 5

• Franz Schubert – Franz Liszt: “Gretchen am Spinnrade“; “Der Doppelgänger“

• Frédéric Chopin: Grande Valse Brillante in A-flat Major, Op. 34, No.1

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 39

• Karol Szymanowski: “Masques,“ Op. 34

Live Final Round:

• Sergie Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Lithuanian- born pianist Agnė Radzevičiutė has been praised by the press for her “sincere and meaningful” interpretations and “exquisite musical sensitivity and conviction.” Her concerts in Paris and Vilnius were featured live on Mezzo TV and Lithuanian National TV, and her performance credits include recitals at the United Nations Concert Hall in Geneva and the Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Agnė has won prizes in a dozen international piano competitions, notably the First Prize at the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, held in Poland, Second Prize at the Kosciuszko Chopin Piano Competition in New York City, 3rd Prize at the Fifth Canadian Chopin Competition in Toronto and the Prixde Piano at the Fontainebleau Festival (France).

Agnė performed concerti with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Kaunas Symphony, and St. Christopher’s Chamber Orchestra. In 2018, she made her USA orchestra debut with Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra.

Agnė is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music in New York City (studio of Andre-Michel Schub) and Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School in Toronto (studio of David Louie and John Perry).

Live Quarterfinal Round:

Agnė Radzevičiutė, 32

Lithuania

• Franz Schubert-Franz Liszt: “Gretchen am Spinnrade” Op. 2, D. 118

• Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in E Minor, Op. 25, No. 5

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in A-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 10

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 67, No. 4

• Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op. 44

Live Semifinal Round:

• Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K 45

• Mason Bates (b.1977): “White Lies for Lomax”

• Robert Schumann: Novelette in F-sharp Minor, Op. 21, No. 8

• Sergei Prokofiev: “Romeo and Juliet before Parting,” Op. 75, No. 10

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69, No. 1

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31

Live Final Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11

Hyunjin Roh, 23

South Korea

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Live Quarterfinal Round:

Pianist Hyunjin Roh started to stand out in music from an early age and has been in the spotlight of the domestic music industry by winning more than 40 competitions. She also received the Semi-finalists Award at the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, and began to draw attention from overseas.

The winner of the 45th Joongang Music Competition in South Korea, Roh has a variety of tones and deep expression. She received favorable reviews, with comments such as "healthy and resonant sounds, and uses her own variety of tones," and "she has a large scale and subtlety that does not miss detailed expressions."

She has constantly communicated with the audience through performances and solo performances at many halls. She studied with Heesung Joo at Seoul National University. She is studying for a Master of Music degree at New England Conservatory of Music with Wha-Kyung Byun.

• Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in A-flat Major Op. 59, No. 2

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 12

• Maurice Ravel: La Valse

Live Semifinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20

• Carl Vine: Five Bagatelles No. 1 and No. 2

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in F Major, Op. 34, No. 3

• Robert Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11

Live Final Round:

▪ Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Austrian pianist and composer Kiron Atom Tellian currently pursues his bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School in New York, studying with Maestro Sergei Babayan. He is a proud recipient of the prestigious Kovner Fellowship, which, among other things, covers all expenses for the entire duration of his studies.

Tellian won the first prize and Haydn prize at the prestigious 17th Ettlingen International Piano Competition in Germany, the grand prize and special prizes at the X. Savshinsky International Music Competition in Saint Petersburg, Russia, as well as the Grand Prize (Alexei Sultanov Memorial

Discovery Prize), with special prizes at the inaugural Nashville International Chopin Competition.

Tellian performs in renowned venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus, Vienna Musikverein, Konzerthaus Blaibach as well as at various festivals like Kultur im Schloss Walpersdorf, at the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Viotti Festival and the Verbier Festival.

Live Quarterfinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in A Minor, Op. 25, No. 11

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in B Minor, Op. 33, No. 4

Kiron Tellian, 21

Austria

• Frédéric Chopin: Andante Spianato et Grand Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Variations on an Original Theme in C Minor, WoO 80

Live Semifinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in E-flat Major, Op. 18

• Unsuk Chin: Piano Étude No. 5 “Toccata” from Twelve Piano Études

• Adolf Schulz-Evler: Arabesken über Themen des Walzers “An der schönen blauen Donau” von Johann Strauss

• Alexander Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp Minor, Op. 19

• Alexander Scriabin: Étude Op. 65, No. 1 Allegro fantastico

• Alexander Scriabin: Étude in G Major, Op. 65, No. 3 Molto vivace

Live Final Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

Andrzej Wierciński, 28

Poland

Quarterfinalists

Quarterfinalists

Live Quarterfinal Round

Andrzej Wierciński is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma in Performance at the Royal College of Music in London with Professor Norma Fisher, where he is a Scholar. In earlier years he was a recipient of the Krystian Zimerman and Yamaha Foundation Scholarships. In recent years, Andrzej has given recitals in most European countries as well as in Canada, Dubai, Indonesia, and Japan (where in 2015 he accompanied the Polish President on a State visit and performed concerts). He has also worked with many prestigious orchestras such as: Deutsche Philharmonie Merck Orchestra, National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Warsaw National Symphony Orchestra. Andrzej has performed at significant venues throughout Holland, including Het Concertgebouw, and in Slovak Philharmonic and in Warsaw at the Łazienki Królewskie (Chopin’s statue).

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 7

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in A minor, Op. 59, No. 1

• Frédéric Chopin: Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise in E-flat Major, Op. 22

• Franz Liszt: Funerailles, S. 173

Live Semifinal Round

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in E-flat Major, Op. 18

• Giuseppe Devastato: Impromptu

• Béla Bartók: Suite, Op. 14

• Franz Josef Haydn: Sonata in F Major, Hob. XVI:23

Live Final Round

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

Quarterfinalists

QuarterfinalistsQuarterfinalists

Victoria Wong, 27

United States

Named as one of “Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Classical Musicians” by CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation), Victoria Wong made her orchestral debut at age five, and has since performed on tour with orchestras including the New Brunswick Symphony, Hong Kong Symphonia, Canadian Sinfonietta, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. She holds a Bachelor’ degrees from the New England Conservatory and a Master’s Degree from The Juilliard School.

Victoria is winner of Lancaster International Competition, EPTA International Competition, San Francisco International Competition, and the Canadian Music Competition. She is also a top prizewinner at the Canadian Chopin Competition and Russian Music International Competition.

She was invited as guest performer to Shenzhen Piano Music Festival in China, Note in Citta Festival in Italy, and Westben Arts Festival and Mississauga Polish Festival in Canada. Victoria’s performances have been broadcasted by Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Radio Television Hong Kong, Guangdong TV China, Polskie Radio (Polish Radio), and Sino TV in USA. She currently studies with Horacio Gutiérrez.

Live Quarterfinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in C minor, Op. 30, No. 1

• Frédéric Chopin: Étude in F Major, Op. 10, No. 8

• Frédéric Chopin: Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Op. 22 in E flat Major

• Maurice Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit “Scarbo”

Live Semifinal Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38

• Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52

• Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 42

• Chen Yi: Duo Ye

• Franz Liszt: Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata, S. 161

Live Final Round:

• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

PRIZES

The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities between the ages of 18 and 35 Eligibility age is determined by the application deadline of February 20th, 2024. Jury members whose student/s are competing must disclose the affiliation with the student and will be excused from voting.

1st Prize: $20,000 Hotel accommodation, airfare reimbursement up to $1,000 All-paid performance with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and community outreach 2024-25 season, approximately $5,000. CD release contract with KNS Classical $2,000. Tonebase base lifelong subscription $695. Total value approximately. $28,700. Subject to US tax rules

2nd Prize: $15,000. Hotel accommodation, airfare reimbursement up to $1,000. All-paid performance of a joint solo recital with 3rd Prize winner at UTEP’s Borderland Chopin Festival 2025, and community outreach. Total value approximately $20,000 Subject to US tax rules

3rd Prize: $10,000. Hotel accommodation, airfare reimbursement up to $1,000. All-paid performance of a joint solo recital with 2nd Prize winner at UTEP’s Borderland Chopin Festival 2025, and community outreach. Total value approximately $15,000 Subject to US tax rules

Wilma Salzman Special Prize for the best performance of a Chopin work (any semifinalist or finalist): $1,000. Lewis Peeples Special Prize for a living composer’s work (any semifinalist or finalists): $1,000.

Tonebase is a leading online platform for music education, with over 1,000+ courses taught by award-winning artists and top instructors. Join a vibrant community of fellow learners. This subscription grants unlimited access to an extensive library of lessons, masterclasses, and resources across various instruments, aimed at enhancing the winner's musical journey To learn more, scan the QR code

JUDGING FORMAT

In accordance with the rules of the Borderland Chopin International Competition, all participants will have equal opportunities and will be subject to a transparent method of assessment by the jury This will be ensured by a voting system designed to provide the highest standards of evaluation with the fairest possible scoring system. In addition to the adjustment of extreme scores received by individual candidates, a procedure commonly used in music competitions, this system will also incorporate an analysis of the votes given by individual jurors

The system to be used in the Borderland Competition has been developed by Dr. Krzysztof Kontek from SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Prof Kevin Kenner from the University of Miami Frost School of Music The system is characterized by its high effectiveness in ensuring fair competition rules, while still maintaining jurors’ freedom to evaluate candidates according to their genuine preferences.

In instances where the votes cast by a juror may indicate an attempt to tamper with the competition's results, the scores assigned by that juror (or jurors) will be rejected and will not be considered in the calculation of the final scoring and ranking. This procedure will be applied at every stage of the competition.

Research on just voting systems is being conducted by Dr. Krzysztof Kontek in collaboration with Prof. Honorata Sosnowska and other researchers at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, under the Grant 2018/31/B/HS4/01005 awarded by the National Science Center (Narodowe Centrum Nauki), Poland.

The voting system will be implemented in the Competition with IT support from Merope company.

The judges’ results are final and will not be contested

COMPETITION RULES

Rules and Regulations:

1. The deadline for applications is February 20, 2024.

2. All works must be performed by memory for each round with the exception of the work by a living composer. Memorization is optional for the living composer work only. A published copy of the living composer's score is required (no photocopies allowed) for the judges.

3. Practice facilities and times will be provided in the Fox Fine Arts Building for the 10 quarterfinalists

4. Travel expenses to and from El Paso are the responsibility of each contestant, however, the top three (3) winners will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for their travel expenses. The 10 selected quarterfinalists will have their hotel expenses paid for by the Bonnie Brooks Family Foundation, and the hotel is within walking distance of the Fox Fine Arts Building. The hotel provides a shuttle to and from the airport. There are many restaurants and eateries within walking distance.

5. Contestants not advancing to the next round are invited to stay for the duration, but are not required to 6. Contestants not appearing at their assigned performance time may be disqualified.

7. The jury has the right to not award all prizes, and the jury makes the final decisions as to awarding prizes and distinctions The jury’s decisions are not subject to appeal The Competition Directors’ decisions are final on all matters outside the jurisdiction of the Competition jury.

8. The candidate’s submission of his/her competition application is considered as the candidate’s acceptance of the Competition Rules and means that an agreement has been concluded between the Borderland Chopin Competition, the Bonnie Brooks Family Foundation, and the candidate concerning all matters provided for in these Rules.

Other information:

1. Competitors for the live quarterfinal round must arrive in El Paso, Texas, no later than Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

2. All live performances are open to the public and will take place in the Recital Hall of the Fox Fine Arts Building on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso

3. Jury deliberations covers online and live rounds. A numerical system of points will be used for judging, and no discussion of competitors among the judges is allowed.

4. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes related to the prize(s) and paying any expenses associated with any prize which are not specifically provided for in the official rules. The invited 10 finalists will be required to complete US tax form W-9 prior to arrival at the competition Each winner must provide the Borderland International Competition with valid identification and valid taxpayer identification number or social security number if a US citizen. Non-citizen winners must complete the Certificate of Foreign Status, Form W-8BEN. Any person winning over $600 in prizes will receive an IRS form 1099 at the end of the calendar year and a copy of such form will be filed with the IRS.

5. The Borderland International Piano Competition reserves the right to produce and distribute, without restriction or fee, all recordings of the entire Competition or parts thereof, including the application recordings and Finals.

6. Sessions may, by permission of the Borderland International Piano Competition, be broadcast live, filmed and/or recorded for subsequent broadcast, telecast or film documentary, and photographed by and for the press or for other publicity purposes, all without fee to the participants.

7. Within the scope of the rights obtained under these Rules, the Borderland International Chopin Competition will be fully authorized to transfer these rights to others, to grant licenses and further authorizations. The contestant will not be entitled to any additional remuneration arising out of this.

8. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Executive Director, Deborah Svedman, at BorderlandChopin@gmail com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and SPECIAL THANKS

The Borderland Chopin International Competition would like to express their sincere appreciation to the following individuals, organizations, and businesses for their help and support in bringing this competition to fruition. Thank you all!

Dr. Heather Wilson, President, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Dr. Arturo Barrio, Assistant Vice President for International Relations, UTEP

Dr. Anadeli Bencomo, Dean, College of Liberal Arts, UTEP

Dr. Steve Wilson, Chair, Department of Music, UTEP

Mr. John Aranda, Director of Advancement

College of Liberal Arts Liaison, UTEP

Dr. Chris Reyman, Keyboard Area Coordinator, UTEP

Mr. Joe Lecher, Instructor of Piano, UTEP

Mrs. Ayleen Sanchez, Administrative Service Coordinator, Department of Music, UTEP

Mrs. Anaise Escobar, Business Center Specialist, College of Liberal Arts, UTEP

Mr. Mauricio Gaillard, Business Center Specialist, College of Liberal Arts, UTEP

UTEP Payroll Personnel

Dr. Bonnie Brook Family Foundation

Mr. Lewis Peeples

Mrs. Karin Carson

Mrs. Wilma Salzman

UTEP Piano Students

UTEP Music Office Personnel

Micheal Jurewicz, Piano Technician

Nadya Russel, UTEP Piano Technician

Dov E Kupfer Aifd, Floral Arrangement

SODEXO, Catering Services UTEP

Dr. Krzysztof Kontek, SGH

Warsaw School of Economics

Merope

Hilton Garden Inn

El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Arsentiy Kharitonov

5-H Signs

Scott Carlsen

The Polish American Society of El Paso

Photo

The Department of Music is located in the Fox Fine Arts Center, Building #80. The Hilton Garden Hotel, Building #212, is within walking distance. Along and around Mesa Str., there are plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee houses. For an interactive map visit www.utep.edu/map/

MUSIC

MARCH 21-23

Join us for the 2nd edition of the Borderland Chopin Festival. This festival focuses on local outreach and community engagement, exclusively benefiting students, teachers and the community in El Paso, Las Cruces, Ciudad Juarez, and Chihuahua, Mexico.

The 2nd and 3rd Prize Winners of the 2024 International Competition will perform a joint recital on Saturday March 22, and on Sunday March 23, we will host the local competition winners’ recital and awards ceremony. Stay tuned for this amazing regional event.

All events are at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Free and open the public.