2022 Olga Kern International Piano Competition Program Book

TABLE OF Contents

2 Schedule of Events

2 Venue Locations

2 Competition Etiquette

3 Welcome from the Mayor

4 Welcome from Olga Kern

5 Welcome from Steinway & Sons

6 Welcome from the Executive Director

6 Welcome from the President of the Board

7 Rules & Regulations

8 Competition Repertoire/ Performance Requirements

8 Competition Prizes

8 Performance Partners

10 Competition Jury

15 Selection Jury

17 Composer

18 Conductor

19 Guest Artist

20 Competitors

42 Board & Staff

42 Special Thanks

42 Host Families

42 Volunteers

43 Donors

43 Sponsors

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Schedule at a Glance

Virtual First Round

July 20–24, 2022

10 a.m.–2 p.m. MT olgakerncompetition.org Free Access

In-Person Second Round

October 24–25, 2022

10:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. MT

Immanuel Presbyterian Church Free Admission

Semifinal Round—Chamber Music

October 27, 2022

6:30 p.m.–10 p.m.

Robertson & Sons Violin Shop Recital Hall Free Admission

Final Round

WITH THE NEW MEXICO PHILHARMONIC

October 29, 2022

6 p.m.

Popejoy Hall Admission: $22-$75; Students $10 (Available with Sound Card)

Reserve Tickets: 505.277.4569 nmphil.org

Awards Ceremony & Winners’ Recital

October 30, 2022

3 p.m.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Free Admission



VENUES Competition Locations

IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

114 Carlisle Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505.246.2261 rt66church.com

ROBERTSON & SONS VIOLIN SHOP

RECITAL HALL

201 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 505.889.2999 robertsonviolins.com

POPEJOY HALL

1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131 505.277.8010

PARKING: popejoypresents.com/your.visit/transportation 

COMPETITION

Etiquette

N As a courtesy to each competitor, please refrain from conversation and remain in your seat during a performance.

N During competition rounds, audience members may enter or leave only between each competitor’s performance and not between pieces.

N Please do not applaud until each competitor has concluded the performance of the final selection of their program.

N Children must be six or older and accompanied by an adult to be admitted.

N No smoking, eating, or drinking are permitted in the competition venues.

N Only authorized use of cameras and recording equipment is permitted.

N Please silence all electronic timepieces, cell phones, and other electronic devices during competition performances. 

LETTER FROM THE Mayor

Timothy M. Keller | Mayor

Lawrence Rael | Chief Administrative Officer

Timothy M. Keller | Mayor

Katarina Sandoval | Chief Operations Officer

Mike Puelle | Chief of Staff

Lawrence Rael | Chief Administrative Officer

Sanjay Bhakta | Chief Financial Officer

Katarina Sandoval | Chief Operations Officer

Mike Puelle | Chief of Staff

Sanjay Bhakta | Chief Financial Officer

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful City of Albuquerque, filled with music, arts, and culture!

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful City of Albuquerque, filled with music, arts, and culture! The Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition featured 21 outstanding pianists, ages 18 32, in the Virtual First Round this past July. Twelve of these brilliant artists were advanced to the In Person Second Round in Albuquerque, taking place October 23 30.

The Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition featured 21 outstanding pianists, ages 18–32, in the Virtual First Round this past July. Twelve of these brilliant artists were advanced to the In-Person Second Round in Albuquerque, taking place October 24–30.

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful City of Albuquerque, filled with music, arts, and culture! The Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition featured 21 outstanding pianists, ages 18 32, in the Virtual First Round this past July. Twelve of these brilliant artists were advanced to the In Person Second Round in Albuquerque, taking place October 23 30.

The City of Albuquerque invites everyone to take the opportunity to learn about Albuquerque and its rich history, go for a hike, or attend any number of exciting events the city has to offer. I hope you will have a chance to visit the museums in the area as well as the ABQ BioPark that includes our Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, a place that is deeply loved by people of all ages. For those who enjoy history, I hope that you will take a stroll in Old Town and feel as if you are transported back 316 years when Albuquerque was founded, or take a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument to step in the footsteps of many generations of Native Americans who stopped there to leave their mark during their travels. We are also very proud of the unique Balloon Museum and its grounds, which host the Balloon Fiesta every year at the beginning of October.

The City of Albuquerque invites everyone to take the opportunity to learn about Albuquerque and its rich history, go for a hike, or attend any number of exciting events the city has to offer. I hope you will have a chance to visit the museums in the area as well as the ABQ BioPark that includes our Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, a place that is deeply loved by people of all ages. For those who enjoy history, I hope that you will take a stroll in Old Town and feel as if you are transported back 316 years when Albuquerque was founded, or take a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument to step in the footsteps of many generations of Native Americans who stopped there to leave their mark during their travels. We are also very proud of the unique Balloon Museum and its grounds, which host the Balloon Fiesta every year at the beginning of October.

The City of Albuquerque invites everyone to take the opportunity to learn about Albuquerque and its rich history, go for a hike, or attend any number of exciting events the city has to offer. I hope you will have a chance to visit the museums in the area as well as the ABQ BioPark that includes our Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, a place that is deeply loved by people of all ages. For those who enjoy history, I hope that you will take a stroll in Old Town and feel as if you are transported back 316 years when Albuquerque was founded, or take a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument to step in the footsteps of many generations of Native Americans who stopped there to leave their mark during their travels. We are also very proud of the unique Balloon Museum and its grounds, which host the Balloon Fiesta every year at the beginning of October.

I would like to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, Olga Kern, and all who are supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

I would like to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, Olga Kern, and all who are supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

I would like to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, Olga Kern, and all who are supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

Have a wonderful week immersed in sublime classical music as well as all the beauty our city and state have to offer.

Have a wonderful week immersed in sublime classical music as well as all the beauty our city and state have to offer.

Have a wonderful week immersed in sublime classical music as well as all the beauty our city and state have to offer.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Sincerely, Timothy M. Keller Mayor

TIMOTHY M. KELLER Mayor

Timothy M. Keller Mayor

WELCOME FROM Olga Kern

I am so excited to welcome you to the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition, taking place again in the beautiful city of Albuquerque.

We have selected 21 amazing young pianists for the Virtual First Round, which took place in July, and we invited 12 of these brilliant pianists to come to the Land of Enchantment to perform in the In-Person Second Round and the subsequent rounds for those who qualify.

In 2016, we concluded a wonderful week at the first OKIPC. Now already six years later, we are seeing the successful paths of the winners from the first and second competitions as they perform on the international concert scene. They have numerous performances with orchestras on four continents and have performed many recitals around the world. We look forward to meeting this year’s new winner and supporting their developing careers. Thank you so much to the members of the selection Jury for their hard and difficult work in selecting the best of the best to enter the competition, as well as to the Competition Jurors for their time and diligence during the Virtual First Round.

Welcome from my heart to the distinguished judges, each one of them internationally celebrated musicians, who are traveling to New Mexico for the week to dedicate their time and expertise to the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

I never have enough words to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, the City of Albuquerque, and all the donors, host families, volunteers, and many friends from all over the world who came together to collectively help and create this international event. You all really make this amazing event happen. Thank you with all my heart!

OLGA KERN Artistic Director & President of the Jury

WELCOME FROM Steinway & Sons

Dear Distinguished Competitor,

On behalf of Steinway & Sons, I would like to congratulate you on your selection to the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition. Your invitation to this prestigious event is a testament to your talent, dedication, and hard work.

We are honored that Steinway is the official piano of the Competition and are proud to sponsor the mission of the Olga Kern International Piano Competition—to provide the venue for young pianists to develop international careers through a competition that is recognized globally for its value and excellence.

I hope that your experience at the Olga Kern International Piano Competition is a memory you will cherish for years to come, and that your artistry and love of the piano and its repertoire will be further enhanced as a result of your participation. I wish you all the best this week and throughout your musical life.

Sincerely, GAVIN ENGLISH President, Steinway & Sons—Americas

WELCOME FROM THE Executive Director

We are entering the final stages of the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition with great news!

The Competition, after rigorous scrutiny, was accepted to join and is a member of the prestigious World Federation of Music Competitions alongside other prestigious competitions.

We are excited and proud to have such promising young artists come to Albuquerque and New Mexico to compete for the First Prize. Welcome to the twelve competitors and nine jurors. I hope your experience with the competition, as well as the surrounding natural beauty will be memories which you will cherish for a long time.

Thank you to the City of Albuquerque, the New Mexico Philharmonic, the generous individual donors and the local and international audiences for supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

MARIAN TANAU Executive Director

WELCOME FROM THE President of the Board

I am very excited to welcome you to the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

During this week, you will have the opportunity to hear amazing performances by some of the most talented young pianists in the world. The New Mexico Philharmonic is pleased to support this event by providing the opportunity for the finalists to perform their final round with the NMPhil.

Albuquerque and New Mexico have much to offer in addition to the competition, and we hope that you will make time to see some of our spectacular Southwest attractions, both natural and man-made, that tens of thousands of visitors to the Land of Enchantment enjoy each year.

On behalf of the NMPhil, we would like to thank the City of Albuquerque for its support and funding for the competition. Thanks also to Steinway & Sons for their generous sponsorship by providing the pianos for many of the competitors’ host families as well as performance pianos for all the competition rounds. We are deeply grateful to all the donors who through their generosity are providing critical support to ensure the continuation of this important event.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the families who are hosting the competitors and to the many volunteers who make the daily activities happen.

Having the Olga Kern International Piano Competition in Albuquerque and New Mexico enriches our lives and brings international standing to the area through this world-class event.

MAUREEN BACA President of the Board

RULES

Rules & Regulations for the 2022 Competition Rounds

DRAWING

The drawing reception for the In-Person Second Round will take place at an Albuquerque location to be determined. Performance order will be determined on the evening of Sunday, October 23, 2022. The competitor who draws “Number 1” will perform their solo recital first, followed by the competitor who draws “Number 2,” and so on. This order will be maintained throughout subsequent rounds of the Competition, except for the Final Round; see below. The competitors advancing to the Semifinal Round will perform in ascendant order. For example, if the following competitors advance—Numbers 2, 6, 10—the competitor order of the Semifinal Round would be 2, 6, 10. The Jury has the discretion to change this order due to accident, illness, or other circumstances.

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Following the prescreening round, there will be 20–24 competitors selected to perform a 45-minute prerecorded recital that will be streamed June 30 to July 3, 2022, as part of the Virtual First Round. Submission deadline for the prerecorded recital is June 28, 2022. Recitals are recorded on video and livestreamed on the Competition website. Directions for recording the recital will be provided soon.

The performance must be recorded in one take from the beginning to the end without any edits. The performance can be with or without an audience and has to be recorded and submitted during the May 1–June 28, 2022, period. The camera must be placed in such a way that it is close enough to the competitor to see their hands and face in profile. Do not include titles, fadeouts, or video transitions. The recording must be clearly and visibly labeled showing the applicant’s full name and the details of where and when it was made.

At the end of the Virtual First Round on Sunday, July 3, 2022, the Jury will deliberate and choose 8–12 competitors who will advance to the In-Person Second Round. The names of the competitors advanced to the In-Person Second Round will be announced the same evening via Facebook and email.

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

The competitors perform for approximately 60 minutes before an audience in Albuquerque. Recitals are recorded on video and livestreamed on the Competition website.

Performance order is based on the drawing that takes place on October 23, 2022. The competitor who draws “Number 1” will perform their solo recital first, followed by the competitor who draws “Number 2,” and so on. This order will be maintained throughout the Semifinal Round. Pianists in this round can choose their performance piano from the two official pianos provided by Steinway & Sons, the Competition sponsor. Each pianist is allotted 20 minutes to perform on the two pianos and make their choice. This process will take place on Monday, October 24, time to be determined. The choice of piano will be carried over to the Semifinal Round. All piano choices are final. No changes are allowed.

At the end of the In-Person Second Round on Tuesday, October 25, the Jury will deliberate and choose 6 competitors to advance to the Semifinal Round. The names of the competitors advanced to the Semifinal Round will be announced the same evening at the venue as well as via Facebook and email.

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

The Semifinal Round competitors will perform a chamber music work on the evening of Thursday, October 27, 2022. This round consists of a performance of a choice of a Brahms violin and piano sonata with guest violin soloist, Alexandre Da Costa. The round will take place at Robertson & Sons Violin Shop Recital Hall, 201 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 at 6:30 p.m.

FINAL ROUND

The Final Round will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Popejoy Hall on the campus of the University of New Mexico, located at 203 Cornell Dr, Albuquerque, NM 87131.

The finalists will perform a concerto with the New Mexico Philharmonic on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 6 p.m. at Popejoy Hall. They will participate in two rehearsals prior to the concert as follows: Friday, October 28, 2022, 4 p.m.–6:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 29, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Each competitor will have a pre-rehearsal meeting of approximately 20–30 minutes

with the conductor. The numbers of the competitors will be carried over from the Second and Semifinal Rounds. However, the order of the competitors may be changed depending on the repertoire. The order of the competitors will be decided on Thursday, October 27, 2022, after the announcement of the advancing competitors. The finalists will be notified that evening.

The piano choice from the Semifinal Round can be carried over for each competitor, but a decision change to use the other piano will be allowed before the first rehearsal with the New Mexico Philharmonic. That choice is final.

At the end of the concert, the Jury will deliberate and announce the winner and subsequent positions of the remaining competitors. The audience will fill out a ballot or vote on the website for the Audience Award.

AWARDS CEREMONY & WINNERS’ RECITAL

The Awards Ceremony and Winners’ Recital will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1701 4th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. The performance order and repertoire will be decided on Saturday, October 29. The repertoire choices will be made by Olga Kern as well as members of the Jury and will include works previously performed during the First and Second Rounds of the Competition. 

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

Required Repertoire

Everything must be performed from memory and all printed repeats must

be taken.

July 20–24, 2022 (Virtual)

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND (45 MIN. TOTAL):

1. Everything must be performed from memory and all printed repeats must be taken.

2. One Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach (chosen from either book of The WellTempered Clavier)

3. Two contrasting études chosen from the following composers:

N Frédéric Chopin

N Franz Liszt

N Sergei Rachmaninoff

N Alexander Scriabin

N Claude Debussy

N Sergei Prokofiev

N Karol Szymanowski

N György Ligeti

4. One Sonata by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or Ludwig van Beethoven.

5. One short piece by Rachmaninoff chosen from the following:

N Transcriptions

N Preludes Op. 23 or Op. 32

N Pieces Op. 3 or Op. 10

N Polka de W.R.

Music in the Virtual First Round may be repeated from the screening round, however, it must be included as a new recording as part of the new recorded performance for the Virtual First Round.

The performance must be recorded in one take from the beginning to the end without any edits. The performance can be with or without an audience and has to be recorded and submitted during the May 1–June 28, 2022, period. The camera must be placed in such a way that it is close enough to the competitor to see their hands and face in profile. Do not include titles, fade-outs, or video transitions. The recording must be clearly and visibly labeled showing the applicant’s full name and the details of where and when it was made.

October 24–30, 2022 (Albuquerque, NM, U.S. )

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND (60 MIN. TOTAL):

1. Work(s) of competitor’s choice.

2. Required piece (5–6 minutes long) (sent to competitors on August 1, 2022, prior to the Competition) composed by renowned composer Carl Vine specifically for the Olga Kern International Piano Competition.

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

The Semifinal Round competitors will perform their choice of one of the three Brahms violin and piano sonatas with Alexandre Da Costa on the evening of Thursday, October 27, 2022. There will be up to 6 competitors advanced to the Semifinal Round.

FINAL ROUND

Competitor’s choice of one of the following concerti for piano and orchestra:

N Béla Bartók: Piano Concerti Nos. 2 or 3

N Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerti Nos. 3, 4, or 5

N Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2

N Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2

N George Gershwin: Concerto in F

N Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in a minor

N Franz Liszt: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2

N Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3

N Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3, or Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

N Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major

N Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor

N Alexander Scriabin: Piano Concerto in f-sharp minor

N Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2

COMPETITION PRIZES Awards & Prizes

The awards for the 2022 Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition include more than $30,000 in cash prizes. The firstprize winner will be awarded international concert engagements throughout the U.S. and Europe and a professional recording.

First Prize / $15,000

In addition to the cash prize, the Olga Kern International Piano Competition will provide multiple concert engagements through the end of 2024 and a professional recording.

Supported by: Lee Blaugrund, Charles & Eugenia Eberle, Noémi Neidorff

Second Prize / $10,000

Third Prize / $5,000

Best Contemporary Piece Prize / $1,000

Audience Award / $1,000

Aspiration Special Prize / $500

Best Bach Interpretation Prize / $500

Semifinalist Honorable Mention / $500

CONCERT ENGAGEMENTS

Performance Partners for the First-Prize Winner

RECITAL AT STEINWAY HALL New York City, NY, U.S. Presented by Steinway & Sons steinway.com

RECITAL AT GABER AUDITORIUM Milan, Italy Presented by Fondazione La Società dei Concerti soconcerti.it

RECITAL AT THE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. Presented by the 2020 International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S. odyssiad.com

RECITAL AT LIED CENTER OF KANSAS University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, U.S. lied.ku.edu

RECITAL AT THE PLACITAS ARTIST SERIES Placitas, New Mexico, U.S. placitasartistsseries.org

RECITAL AS PART OF THE VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. vafest.org

CONCERTO WITH THE NEW MEXICO PHILHARMONIC Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Presented by the New Mexico Philharmonic nmphil.org

CONCERTO WITH THE JOHANNESBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Johannesburg, South Africa Presented by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra jpo.co.za

CONCERTO WITH DURBAN KZN PHILHARMONIC Durban, South Africa Presented by the Durban KZN Philharmonic kznphil.org.za

CONCERTO WITH THE FILARMONICA BANATUL Timișoara, Romania Presented by Filarmonica Banatul filarmonicabanatul.ro

SARASOTA MUSIC MONDAYS

Presented by the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning sillsarasota.org

Paolo Baglieri

COMPETITION JURY

Paolo Baglieri has brilliantly obtained the diploma of piano at the Conservatory “V. Bellini” of Catania. He continued his studies at the “Codarts—University of Arts” in Rotterdam and at the “Schola Cantorum” in Paris, concluding his studies with top marks.

He obtained a second-level degree in musical disciplines at the Conservatory of Music “E. F. Dall’Abaco” of Verona with full marks and honors. He has attended master classes with Pavel Gililov, Franco Scala, Benedetto Lupo, Boris Petrushansky, and Sergio Perticaroli.

Former Artistic Director of the “Mussorgsky” Music Association and the Acireale Classical Music Festival, for the 2013/2014 concert season he served as artistic consultant for the Fondazione Teatro Garibaldi in Modica. In 2014, Paolo Baglieri was appointed director of the International Music University Talent Music Master Courses in Brescia, of which he currently holds the position of President.

The Talent Music Master Courses represents a unique reality in the world as it offers young international musicians who attend it the opportunity to study with some of greatest artists in the world of all instruments, including Pavel Gililov, Elisso Virsaladze, and Piotr Paleczny, just to list a few.

In addition to directing the International Music University Talent Music Master Courses, Paolo Baglieri is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the young international talent who attend

it. From 2014 to present, he has served as Artistic Director of the Talent Master Concerts Season, now in its eighth year. The season covers the entire period of the academic year (October–June) and features the best students who are winners of important awards such as the Chopin Prize in Warsaw, the International Ferruccio Busoni Competition in Bolzano, the Beethoven Telekom Competition in Bonn, the Hamamatsu Piano Competition in Japan, and many others.

In 2016, the Talent Master Concerts Season saw its debut at the Teatro Grande in Brescia with young soloists already established at the international level. In 2021, the International Academy Talent Music Master Courses obtained university accreditation from the Kalaidos Fachhochschule in Zurich. After which, it was able to offer university courses and issue degrees, including Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Master of Specialized Music Performance, and Master in Music Pedagogy.

Since 2017, he has been Artistic Director and President of the Judging Committee of the Brescia Classica International Piano Competition, an international piano competition now in its fourth year.

Since May 2016, Paolo Baglieri is also the President of the National Competition “Schools in Music” of Verona and of the International Prize “Làszlò Spezzaferri” of Verona. The National Competition “Schools in Music” is the largest European music competition for students of Italian primary and secondary schools; it takes place annually at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Verona and has seen the participation of more than 10,000 students from Italian primary and secondary schools. The “Làszlò Spezzaferri” Prize takes place annually in Verona and is an international competition.

Paolo Baglieri has recently been appointed director of the European Assessment Board, which will come into force in September 2022. It is a European assessment system that will allow young people to test the musical level they have reached through an examination system in all instruments.

Paolo Baglieri is considered one of the most prominent artistic personalities of his generation. Acclaimed as “a pianist who perfectly combines his personal vision with the composer’s intention,” he is the winner of numerous national and international

piano competitions.

He has performed in Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Austria, Germany, Israel, and Chile in more than 500 solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts, in some of the most important concert halls such as the National Theatre of Jerusalem, the Centrum Beeldende in Amsterdam, Castel d’Ursel in Antwerp, Palazzo Biscari in Catania, Sala Manzoni in Pistoia, Circolo Ufficiali in Bologna, and many other cities such as Taormina, Lucca, Rome, Turin, Verona, Galeazza Castle, Salzburg, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris, Brussels, Haifa, Madrid, and Santiago.

Formerly a professor at the Conservatories of Music in Pavia and Siena, he was Principal Professor of piano, chamber music, and piano literature at the Jerusalem State Conservatory in Israel. He has given master classes at the Yerevan Conservatory (Armenia) and is regularly invited to serve on the juries of some of the most important international piano competitions such as the Paderewski International Piano Competition, Enschede, Campillos, Mayenne, Brussels, Brasov, Madrid, Yerevan, Clavicologne, Malta International Piano Competition, German Piano Open Competition in Berlin, Eurasian Music Games in Astana (Kazakhstan), International Music Competition Moscow Piano Open in Moscow, Transylvanian International Piano Competition in Brasov (Romania), Lyon International Piano Competition in Lyon (France), and the MozARTe International Piano Competition in Cologne (Germany). 

Melvin Chen

COMPETITION JURY

A native of Tennessee, Dr. Melvin Chen has received acclaim for solo and chamber performances throughout the United States, Canada, and Asia.

Chen’s performances have been featured on radio and television stations around the world, including KBS television and radio in Korea, NHK television in Japan, and NPR in the United States.

Chen’s notable solo recordings include Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations (Bridge Records), which the American Record Guide described as “a classic”; piano music by Joan Tower (Naxos Records); and sonatas and other piano works by Shostakovich (Bridge Records), among others.

Chen earned a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University and holds a double Master’s degree from The Juilliard School in piano and violin. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and physics from Yale University.

At the Yale School of Music, Chen is Professor in the Practice of Piano and Deputy Dean, where he teaches a studio of graduate and undergraduate piano students. In addition, he also serves as Director of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Previously, Chen was Associate Director and on the piano faculty at the Bard College Conservatory of Music and served as Artistic Director of the chamber music program at the Hotchkiss School Summer Portals. 

American pianist Jeffrey Cohen continues to draw international attention for the brilliance and artistry of his interpretations.

Mr. Cohen has been praised by The New York Times for the “lucidity and poetry” of his playing.

Both as soloist and chamber musician, Mr. Cohen’s performances have taken him to three continents. Recitals include appearances for The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, the Phillips Collection, Mostly Music Series of Chicago, the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, and the National Arts Center of Ottawa. Mr. Cohen has been a faculty member or guest artist at major music festivals including Bowdoin, Waterloo, Musicorda, Orford, Summit, Texas Music Festival, Seoul Summer Music Camp, Shanghai International Piano Festival & Institute, and the Beijing International Music Festival. His recent summer activities include serving on the faculties of the MusicAlp International Academy of Music in France, the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival, the Summer Academy Voksenåsen in Norway, and the Puerto Piano Festival. Mr. Cohen’s debut recording, a collection of French chamber music with his wife and duo partner violinist Lucie Robert, received critical acclaim in Fanfare magazine. He has performed for broadcasts on National Public Radio’s Performance Today, the CBC Radio Network, Radio Canada, Radio France, and WQXR.

In addition to his concert activities, Mr. Cohen’s teaching gifts have established him as a leading piano pedagogue of his generation. His students have won prizes in major competitions and enjoy successful careers as performers and teachers. For more than 30 years, Mr. Cohen has been a piano professor and member of the artist faculty at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he currently serves as Coordinator of Piano Department Master Classes and Competitions. He has given master classes at prestigious institutions such as the Jacobs School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Central Conservatory in Beijing, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Seoul National University, Boston University School of Music, and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore. Mr. Cohen has served as adjudicator for numerous major competitions.

A native of Tucson, Mr. Cohen studied at Indiana University where he worked with legendary pianist Menahem Pressler and received the coveted Battista Memorial Award. He is a past Laureate of the Beethoven Foundation and a prizewinner of the Sherman-Clay Steinway Piano Competition. 

COMPETITION JURY

Steinway artist Yaron Kohlberg, born in Jerusalem, is the President of Piano Cleveland, presenter of the Cleveland International Piano Competition in which he won the Silver Medal in 2007.

He is one of today’s top Israeli pianists and has played as soloist and chamber musician in major halls in 40 countries spanning five continents, including Carnegie Hall, the Kremlin in Moscow, the UN hall in Geneva, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Forbidden City in Beijing, and Bellas Artes in Mexico City. He won 10 international prizes and serves regularly on juries of international competitions worldwide. He speaks six languages, including Mandarin Chinese. Yaron is part of the highly successful Israeli-Palestinian piano duo Duo Amal, which performs worldwide with a message of peace. As a performer and leader, he creates original programming to attract audiences to piano music. His articles about the subject were published in Pianist Magazine, Musical America, International Piano magazine, and more. 

COMPETITION JURY

Hailed by critics as a “vibrant and expressive performer who could steal the show in every concert” ( The New York Times ) and “energetic and lively pianist who displaces power and delicacy in nuanced sensitivity along with virtuoso technique” ( The Baltimore Sun ), Daniela Mineva’s unique approach to standard repertory, combined with the performance and dedication of works by living composers, has taken her career throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America.

Daniela has been the winner and finalist in numerous international and national competitions, including the 2007 Jean Francaix Piano Competition in Paris, France; the 1998 Steinway International Piano Competition; and the Music and Earth International Competition in Sofia, Bulgaria, among many others. During the 2007 International Piano Meeting Festival in San Daniele, Italy, she was awarded with the “Highest Artistic Level of Performance” prize for her solo recital. At the 8th International Competition for New Music in Orléans, France, Ms. Mineva and composer Vera Ivanova were awarded the “Prix André Chevillion-Yvonne Bonnaud sous l’égide de la Foundation de France” for Ivanova’s solo piano piece “Aftertouch,” written for Daniela Mineva.

Ms. Mineva maintains an active performing career. She has appeared as orchestral soloist, chamber music collaborator, and solo artist at some of the most prestigious venues in Bulgaria, the

U.S., China, Italy, France, Greece, Russia, Germany, Thailand, and Costa Rica, among others. A strong proponent of new music, Ms. Mineva has collaborated with many young and established composers and with new-music ensembles such as Speculum Musica in New York City; Earplay in San Francisco, California; and OSSIA at the Eastman School of Music and Twenty One in Rochester, New York. Dr. Mineva has also served as the president of the International Society for Pianists and Composers in the U.S. from 2011–2018.

Ms. Mineva has collaborated with many young and well-established composers such as William Bolcom, Lukas Foss, Kaija Saariaho, Libby Larsen, Chen Yi, Bright Sheng, Frederic Rzewski, Julia Wolfe, Krassimir Taskov, Vera Ivanova, and Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez to name a few. Her first CD, Volume One, presents Daniela’s passion for the music of our time and its connection to the past masters. In 2013, the Society of Composers on Capstone Records also featured her recording. Some of her performances have been heard on WXXI 91.5; Bulgarian National Radio; TV-Chanal 1; TV-SAT, Bulgaria; and Radio France Musique.

As an accomplished and versatile chamber musician, Ms. Mineva has participated in many music festivals and summer programs, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, Institute for Contemporary Music in New York, and the San Daniele International Piano Meeting in Italy. Ms. Mineva’s passion for chamber music led to organizing the Humboldt State University Chamber Music Concert Series at Morris Graves Museum in Eureka, California.

A devoted teacher herself, Dr. Mineva has given master classes and workshops throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and North and South America. She has taught at the North Coast Piano Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Russalka Piano Festival, and the Music and Earth Festival (Bulgaria), to name a few. Currently, she is Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies at Humboldt State University in California, where in 2012 she won the “McCrone Promising Faculty Award.” Previously, Dr. Mineva has taught at the Eastman School of Music, where in 2007 she was awarded the “TA Excellence in Teaching” award, and at Concordia University in Chicago, Illinois. In 2015, Dr. Mineva and Professor Guo founded and directed the North Coast Piano Festival, where young pianists from

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all over the world participate in lessons, master classes, and compete at the North Coast Piano Competition for annual performances at Carnegie Hall.

Born in Bulgaria, Daniela began piano lessons at the age of 5 with her mother as her first teacher. She graduated from Sofia Music Academy with the Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and the Master of Music degree in choral conducting. Dr. Mineva also holds the Master of Music degree in piano performance and the Outstanding Graduate Diploma from the University of North Texas, an Artist Certificate from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, and the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. 

Samir Nikocevic

COMPETITION JURY

A classically trained pianist and artist manager, Samir Nikocevic maintains an ever-growing network of relationships with musicians, orchestras, and presenters in both the United States and Europe, and enjoys identifying opportunities for professional advancement and artistic exchange in all formats.

He received his degree from the Music Academy at the University of Zagreb, where he studied with Professor Hari Gusek. Nikocevic moved to the United States in 2000 to study with acclaimed pianist Peter Frankl. Samir is the former chairman of the board of the Savannah Philharmonic and currently continues to serve on its board, as well as being a board member for the American Composers Orchestra. 

Logan Skelton

COMPETITION JURY

Logan Skelton is a much soughtafter pianist, teacher, and composer whose work has received international critical acclaim.

As a performer, Skelton has concertized widely in the United States, Europe, and Asia and has been featured on many national public radio and television stations, as well as on radio in China and national television in Romania. He has recorded numerous discs for Centaur, Albany, Crystal, Blue Griffin, Supertrain, and Naxos Records—the latter two performed with fellow composerpianist William Bolcom. He has served as juror for many piano competitions and regularly appears in international festival settings. As a composer/arranger, he has creatively reimagined various piano works of Liszt, Mozart, and Bartók, and has contributed substantially to the Gershwin complete editions of Concerto in F, Rhapsody in Blue, and American in Paris. Skelton has a special affinity for art song, having composed nearly 200 songs, including numerous song cycles. A devoted teacher himself, Skelton has been honored by the University of Michigan, including the Harold Haugh Award for excellence in studio teaching and the Arthur F. Thurnau named professorship, among the highest honors given to faculty members at the university. Skelton’s own piano students have won awards in many national and international competitions. He has served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music, Missouri State University, and the University of Michigan. 

Sinae Lee

SELECTION JURY

South Korean-born pianist Sinae Lee leads a busy life as a soloist, chamber musician, and lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow, UK.

Since her UK debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), playing Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, she has frequently appeared in concerts in New York, Saint Petersburg, Riga, London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, as well as cities in her native Korea such as Seoul, Suwon, and Busan.

In 2006, Sinae recorded Karol Szymanowski’s complete piano works on four CDs, released by Divine Art Record Company. These recordings marked the first complete CD set of Szymanowski’s works and included the posthumously published Prelude in c-sharp minor. This was her debut recording and received highly acclaimed reviews from Gramophone (Recommended Recording), BBC Music Magazine (Benchmark Recording), MusicWeb International (Recording of the Month, November 2006), Pianist Magazine (Recommended Recording), All Music Guide (Classical Editors’ Best of the Year 2007), and ResMusica. Some of the pieces from her Szymanowski CDs have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio New Zealand, and Busan KBS TV.

In 2011, Sinae performed the complete Années de pèlerinage by Liszt in the UK and Korea, celebrating the composer’s 200th anniversary. A studio recording was released by Nimbus Alliance in July 2012 and received rave reviews from The

Classical Reviewer (Best of 2012) and MusicWeb International (Recording of the Month, April 2014).

As a keen collaborator, Sinae enjoys performing various chamber music with Ilya Gringolts, Andrea Gajic, Knut Erik Sundquist, Justine Watts, Andrew Berridge, and Alison Wells. She has also been in demand for world-premiere performances of solo piano and ensemble works by composers including Marek Pasieczny, Gordon McPherson, Rory Boyle, Vera Stanojevic, Alasdair Spratt, Jay Capperauld, James Wilson, Richard Greer, and Ewan Ferguson. In July 2016, Sinae recorded an original composition for Jay Capperauld’s Swan Lake for a BBC Arts documentary film. Sinae is a pianist for Glasgow New Music Expedition (GNME), a contemporary music ensemble led by esteemed Australian conductor Jessica Cottis.

Sinae’s past prize adjudications include the Eurovision Young Musician Semifinals in the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Piano Scholarships at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), BBC Young Musician of the Year (preliminary round) at Glasgow City Hall, Scottish International Youth Piano Competition, A Ramsay Calder Debussy Prize, Walcer Prize, Peter Lindsay Miller Prize for Piano Duo, and Beethoven Prize for Junior Conservatoire at RCS. 

Gabriele Leporatti

SELECTION JURY

Italian pianist Gabriele Leporatti actively performs throughout Europe, the U.S., and China, appearing in many prestigious venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, NDR Hanover, and Shanghai’s He Luting Concert Hall.

He also has performed in festivals such as the Settimane Musicali di Ascona, Festival de Torroella de Montgrí, International Keyboard Institute & Festival in New York, and Tbilisi Piano Fest. In 2016, he made his debut with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the baton of Thomas Søndergård. Gabriele´s schedule in the 2021/22 season includes orchestral appearances with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana as well as solo and chamber music concerts in Europe and abroad.

A keen chamber musician, he has been concertizing with ensembles such as the Trio Suleika and with a variety of internationally renowned soloists, moreover, he regularly appears in duo with his wife Gesa Lücker. Several of his performances have been broadcast on radio and television, including on BBC Radio 3 (UK), SAfm (South Africa), BR Klassik, RBB, SWR 2, and WDR 3 (Germany), NPO Radio 4 and AVROTROS (Netherlands), SRF2 (Switzerland), and Rai 3 (Italy).

In 2015, he founded Etera Classics—a record label with a distinct authorial connotation and a publishing division dedicated to the promotion of young artists—on which he recorded his latest three commercial albums.

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Gabriele´s discography includes both solo and chamber music recordings—a monographic Brahms CD, one featuring piano works by Schumann and Respighi, an à quatre mains album with Fabio Bidini (True Sounds), and one with violist Yuri Bondarev. Spring 2019 sees the release of his latest solo CD titled Wien.

Gabriele´s passionate playing style, full of aesthetic, sensitivity, and depth, shows the influence of his teachers and mentors Maria Tipo, Fabio Bidini, and Joaquín Achúcarro.

Currently on faculty at the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein in Dusseldorf, he regularly gives master classes and lectures worldwide, with several of his students being prizewinners at international piano competitions. In addition, he is active as an artistic advisor at concert series and festivals and as a jury member for international competitions. 

Rodolfo Ritter

SELECTION JURY

Emerging as one of the most remarkable musicians from Latin America, and known for his profound artistic poetry, flawless technique, and charismatic performances, Rodolfo Ritter has performed to critical and audience acclaim on three continents.

Co-founder and Artistic Director of Novo-Forte Cultura, one of the foremost cultural Latin-American institutions, and the artistic comité at the Société Franz Liszt de Genève, Mr. Ritter is a soughtafter pianist, composer, and pedagogue. Of Mexican-German origin, Mr. Ritter has been invited as a guest professor at the Haute École de Musique de Laussane, Haute École de Musique de Genève, Conservatoire de Musique de la Broye, Conservatoire du Gros-de-Vaud, and Universidad Panamericana, among others.

After a highly successful debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico in 2003 with the Brahms Piano Concerti, Mr. Ritter started a vibrant career as a soloist at venues such as the Salon d’Honneur of Les Invalides in Paris; Liszt’s Altenburg house in Weimar; Konserthus in Copenhagen; Palacio de Bellas Artes, Sala Nezahualcóyotl, Museo Nacional de Arte, Sala Roberto Cantoral, Palcco, Teatro Degollado, Teatro Juárez, Teatro Calderón, and Teatro de la Paz in Mexico; Salle Frank-Martín and Salle des Abeilles in Genève; and on tour through Northern Italy with the Orchestra Strumentale Italiana. Rodolfo Ritter has also performed extensively in Spain, the United

States, Austria, Germany, Spain, Denmark, France, Italy, Israel, Canada, Cuba, and Ecuador, among other countries.

Mr. Ritter’s full commitment to discover and program works from neglected master composers from the past and introduce them to modern audiences has been achieved through the performance and recording of a number of world premieres. This, together with the frequent performance of standard works, provides a vast repertoire of more than 40 piano concertos and 30 solo piano and chamber music pieces. Launched in 2017, Mr. Ritter’s first CD, devoted to the great RussianSwiss composer Paul Juon, received much praise and was also included in the Top 10 recordings by Toccata Classics on Spotify® of the same year. This CD is the first of a series of recordings that includes the worldpremiere recording of integral works for solo piano by Juon. Future recordings will include piano solo works by the German Romantic composer Woldemar Bargiel and the complete solo piano works by the Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce for the Dutch label Piano Classics.

Winner of the Gold Medal and First Prize in the Angélica Morales-Yamaha Piano Competition in 2003, one of the most renowned competitions in Latin America, Mr. Ritter is the only pianist in the history of the competition to win the Gold Medal and all the special prizes. In the same year, he was also winner of the First International Piano Competition Parnassós 2003, as well as the prize given by the audience.

Mr. Ritter’s performances with orchestras include a vast repertoire ranging from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier to the complete piano concerti of Brahms, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Béla Bartók to romantic, modern, and contemporary lesser-known works such as Xaver Scharwenka’s Piano Concerto Op. 32; Martinů’s Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani; Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments; and the premiere of works dedicated to himself such as “Valses Romántico” and “Rapsodias Mexicana” by Gustavo Morales; “Alegoría de la Ausencia” by Horacio Uribe; “Folía Variations” by Jorge Vidales; and Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, “La Luna y la Muerte,” by Spanish composer Miguel Galvéz-Taroncher. The last work was a First-Prize winner at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Composition Competition in

Brussels, and later the compulsory work for the piano competition in 2007.

As a frequent soloist with more than 20 orchestras including the Mexico National Symphony Orchestra, Minería Symphony Orchestra, Estado de Mexico Orchestra, OFUNAM, Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra, San Luis Potosí Symphony Orchestra, City of Mexico Philarmonic, Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra Strumentale Italiana, among many others, Mr. Ritter collaborates regularly with distinguished conductors and colleagues such as Moshe Atzmon, Massimo Quarta, Marco Parisotto, Iván López-Reynoso, Enrique Bátiz, Enrique Diemecke, Juan Trigos, Silvain Gazancon, Fabrizio Ficiur, José Miramontes Zapata, Román Revueltas, Gaétan Kuchta, Rodrigo Macías, Jesús Medina, Ramón Shade, José Guadalupe Flores, Miguel Salmon Del Real, Guadalupe Parrondo, Goran Filipec, Francisco Araiza, Peter Svensson, Tambuco Percussion Ensemble, Cuartetos Latinoamericano, and Carlos Chávez, among others.

Mr. Ritter’s recordings on the Swedish label Sterling CD have received much praise by some of the most prestigious international publications, particularly the first and second volumes of the Mexican Romantics Anthology devoted to the piano concertos of Manuel M. Ponce and Ricardo Castro. 

Carl Vine

COMPOSER OF THE REQUIRED CONTEMPORARY PIECE

Born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1954, Carl Vine read physics and later music at the University of Western Australia (studying piano with Stephen Dornan and composition with John Exton).

Moving to Sydney in 1975, he worked as a freelance pianist and composer with a wide variety of ensembles and dance companies and was resident composer at the Sydney Dance Company (1978) and the London Contemporary Dance Theatre (1979). He has written 25 scores for dance to date, including Poppy, a 90-minute work for Graeme Murphy’s celebrated ballet on Jean Cocteau. In 1979, he co-founded the award-winning contemporary music ensemble Flederman.

After an initial enthusiasm for avantgarde music (Stockhausen and Carter were major influences) and a time lecturing on electronic music composition at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane (1980 to 1982), Vine began to seek a novel way of writing in the mid-1980s. Vine’s refreshed style, as it emerged, was just as rigorous as that which preceded it: complex rhythms built into rich, kinetic textures and set alongside an austere lyricism that is even more moving in its restraint.

Vine’s most acclaimed works include Mythologia, the First Piano Sonata, and his Choral Symphony (No. 6). Vine enjoys particularly close partnerships with the Goldner String Quartet and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Other high-profile

commissions include “Ring Out, Wild Bells”—a generous and rhythmically vital setting of Tennyson that premiered in 2012 by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, as part of their Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

A skilled pianist himself, Vine has created a body of piano music that occupies a considerable place in the contemporary repertoire through its scintillating command of sonority and space as well as its versatility and wit. His refreshingly direct Second Piano Concerto, commissioned by the Sydney Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras, premiered in 2012.

Vine’s extensive discography is an impressive catalogue of the many worldrenowned advocates who have made Vine’s music their own. These include the London Symphony Orchestra and Daniel Harding (the symphonic poem Descent), cellist Steven Isserlis (Inner World), the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sharon Bezaly (the flute concerto Pipe Dreams), and the Takács Quartet (String Quartet No. 4). The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s recordings of Vine’s first six symphonies are available on the ABC Classics label and much of his chamber music is surveyed on three discs from Tall Poppies Records.

Vine was Artistic Director of both Musica Viva Australia (2000–2020) and the Huntington Estate Music Festival (2006–2019). In 2005, he was awarded the Don Banks Award for outstanding contribution to Australian Music—the highest accolade the Australian Council can offer a musician. He was also appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Vine lives in Sydney, where since 2014, he has been Senior Lecturer in Composition at the Conservatorium of Music.

Recent works include a trombone concerto, Five Hallucinations, for the Chicago and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, and an Eighth Symphony, written as the culmination of his time as 2018 composer-in-residence with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. 

Francesco Lecce-Chong

CONDUCTOR

Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong is the Music Director of the Eugene Symphony in Oregon, and the Santa Rosa Symphony, performing at the Green Music Center in Northern California.

The press has described him as a “fastrising talent in the music world” with “the real gift” and recognized his dynamic performances, fresh programming, and deep commitment to commissioning and performing new music, as well as to community outreach. Mr. Lecce-Chong has appeared with orchestras around the world including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, National Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, and Hong Kong Philharmonic and collaborated with top soloists including Renée Fleming and Itzhak Perlman.

In spring 2019, Mr. Lecce-Chong debuted in subscription concerts with the San Francisco Symphony. The San Francisco Chronicle called his conducting “first rate” praising the “vitality and brilliance of the music-making he drew from members of the San Francisco Symphony.”

Other recent subscription debuts include the Seattle Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, and Xi’An Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Lecce-Chong has also returned to conduct the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Milwaukee and San Diego

Symphonies. In 2019, he also debuted with the New York Philharmonic as part of the legendary Young People’s Concert Series. The 2020/2021 season will mark his subscription debuts with the Utah and the North Carolina Symphonies.

In the past season, heavily impacted by the pandemic, Mr. Lecce-Chong created and led a series of virtual performances with both the Santa Rosa and the Eugene Symphonies. The full season of performances was streamed for free to thousands of enthusiastic viewers around the world. In addition, the Santa Rosa Symphony reached more than two million households in the Bay Area through its “Santa Rosa Symphony Presents” TV broadcasts. Mr. Lecce-Chong embraced the digital format, using interviews with members of the ensembles, guest artists, and composers to overcome the challenges of connecting with audiences not physically present in the concert hall. The programming included more than 20 works by living composers, including a groundbreaking partnership with the renowned Ellen Taaffe Zwilich—a project that will culminate in a recording of her music by the Santa Rosa Symphony to be commercially released in 2022.

Following the paths of renowned Music Directors of the Eugene and the Santa Rosa Symphonies including Marin Alsop, Giancarlo Guerrero, and Jeffrey Kahane, Mr. Lecce-Chong has quickly made his mark with the two orchestras, introducing a series of new music and community initiatives. During the 2021/2022 season, both orchestras will continue the fouryear “First Symphony Project” that is commissioning a symphony each year from a young American composer, including multiple residencies in the community. The Eugene Symphony will embark on a three-part concert presentation of Wagner’s epic opera Tristan und Isolde and the Santa Rosa Symphony will begin a cycle of the large orchestral works of Rachmaninoff paired with legendary film composers titled “Rachmaninoff and the Hollywood Sound.”

Across both orchestras in just a single season, Mr. Lecce-Chong will lead the world premieres of five major orchestral works including an ecology-inspired work by GRAMMY®-winning composer Michael Daugherty, a work for mariachi and orchestra by Enrico Chapela, and a

dramatic work with actors based on the life of Olympic athlete Steve Prefontaine by David Schiff.

During his successful tenures as Associate Conductor with the Milwaukee Symphony under Edo de Waart and the Pittsburgh Symphony under Manfred Honeck, Mr. Lecce-Chong also dedicated his time to opera, building his credentials as staff conductor with the Santa Fe Opera and conducting Madama Butterfly at the Florentine Opera with the Milwaukee Symphony.

Mr. Lecce-Chong is the recipient of several distinctions, including the prestigious Solti Foundation Award. Trained also as a pianist and composer, he completed his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music with Otto-Werner Mueller after attending the Mannes College of Music and Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Italy. He has had the privilege of being mentored and supported by celebrated conductors including Bernard Haitink, David Zinman, Edo de Waart, Manfred Honeck, Donald Runnicles, and Michael Tilson Thomas. 

Alexandre Da Costa

GUEST ARTIST FOR THE SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Sony Classical artist, Juno Award winner, and Longueuil Symphony’s Music Director and Chief Conductor, Alexandre Da Costa was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He showed an uncommon interest for both the violin and piano at a very early age.

By the age of 9, he had the astonishing ability to perform his first concerts with stunning virtuosity on both instruments, which brought him recognition as a musical prodigy. His chosen professional career as a violinist began very early and, after encouragement from Charles Dutoit, he was soon performing regularly as a soloist with orchestras as well as in recital.

At age 18, he obtained a Master’s degree in violin and a First Prize from the Conservatoire de Musique du Québec. Concurrently, he also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in piano interpretation from the University of Montreal. Subsequently, told he had to choose one instrument, he studied in Madrid at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia with a legendary violin teacher who became his mentor, Zakhar Bron (whose previous students famously include the likes of Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin). He later pursued post-graduate studies at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst of Vienna, Austria, with G. Schulz, C. Altenburger, and R. Honeck, and is currently completing a research PhD. Alexandre Da Costa has trained as a conductor in Austria and Germany with several colleagues and masters such as C.

Schulz and J. Caballé-Domenech. Among the many other prizes that followed were the Sylva Gelber Foundation Award from the Canada Council for the Arts, and in 2003 the Council’s Musical Instrument Bank decided to go further and award him the “1689 Baumgartner Stradivarius.” In 2010, he received the prestigious VirginiaParker Prize, one of Canada’s highest cultural distinctions.

Winner of many national and international first prizes, including the International Violin Competition Pablo Sarasate, Alexandre Da Costa has given close to 2,000 concerts and recitals throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He has performed at the major halls of Vienna (Musikverein), Berlin (Philharmonie), New York (Carnegie Hall), Beijing (Poly-Theater), and beyond. He has played with, recorded as guest soloist, and conducted hundreds of different orchestras, including London’s Royal Philharmonic; the Vienna, Berlin, Montreal, and Toronto Symphony Orchestras; the Dresden, Bergen, Buffalo, and Prague Philharmonic Orchestras; the BBC Concert Orchestra; the National TV and Radio Orchestra of Spain; the YOA Orchestra of the Americas; and many more. He recently conducted the Vienna Symphony (Wiener Symphoniker) and the Queen Sofia Chamber Orchestra in Madrid. Conductors he has played under include Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Leonard Slatkin, Lorin Maazel, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Tugan Sokhiev, Vasily Petrenko, Matthias Bamert, John Axelrod, Johannes Wildner, and Peter Oundjian. His live-performance broadcasts have aired on BBC, WestDeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), CBC, NPR, ORF, and many others. Da Costa has given world premieres of works by Elliott Carter, Michael Daugherty, Lorenzo Palomo, Paul Sarcich, Jean Lesage, and Airat Ichmouratov. Alexandre Da Costa is also active as a chamber musician and has recently recorded the complete Brahms sonatas, alongside pianist Wonny Song. Da Costa has performed with acclaimed chamber musicians such as Menahem Pressler, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Matt Haimowitz, and Hélène Mercier.

As a recording artist, he has recorded 25 CDs with Sony Classical, Warner Classics, JVC/Victor, Naxos, Acacia Classics/ Universal, ATMA, XXI–21, PML, and Octave/ Universal, among them the world-premiere recordings of the violin concertos by Portuguese composers Freitas Branco

and Fernandes. In 2012, he won the JUNO award for “Classical Album of the Year” for his recording of the concertos by American composer Michael Daugherty with the Montreal Symphony under Pedro Halffter for Warner Classics. The Washington Post selected his recording of the Beethoven concerto with Klezmer cadenzas by Ichmouratov as CD of the Year. He now records for Sony Classical. One of his latest releases, Stradivarius at the Opera, recorded with the Vienna Symphony, quickly attained the best-seller status and was converted into a multimedia concert booked around the world.

As a teacher and educator, Alexandre Da Costa gives master classes at various universities and conservatories around the world. Between 2014 and 2018, he held the position of Associate Professor and Head of Strings at the Edith Cowan University (Australia). Institutions he visited include the Sydney Conservatorium, the University of Toronto, and the Superior Conservatories of Montreal, Madrid, and Shanghai. He is presently Associate Professor and Head of International Music Development at DeTao Group (Shanghai, China). He also served as benchmarking consultant for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and guest speaker for TEDx. As concertmaster, he regularly led orchestras such as the Wiener Symphoniker, the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, and the Singapore Symphony, under conductors such as Philippe Jordan, Tugan Sokhiev, Günter Herbig, and Lorin Maazel. As an administrator, Alexandre Da Costa holds the positions of Artistic Director of the Stradivaria Festival, since 2012; President of StradEdgy Inc., since 2018; and Music Director of the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra, since 2019. Alexandre is also considered an expert in the field of rare violins, having analyzed and used more than 1,000 instruments of makers such as Stradivarius, Guarnerius del Gesù, Amati, etc. Alexandre Da Costa plays the “Deveault” Stradivarius of 1701, loaned by his friends Guy and Maryse Deveault. alexandredacosta.com

Alexander Agate

UNITED STATES

Alexander Agate began studying piano at 11 years old with Mona Wu DeCesare in his hometown of Moorpark, California.

While he participated in child acting, Tae Kwon Do, writing, and other instruments including violin and viola, at 16 he decided to pursue classical piano performance as his career path of choice and studied with Robert Thies before beginning his collegiate journey at California State University, Northridge, under Dmitry Rachmanov. Following CSUN, Alexander received a full-tuition scholarship to Manhattan School of Music under AndreMichel Schub, where he completed his Master’s degree and currently is pursuing his Doctorate. Alexander has participated in various summer festivals, including in 2019 and 2020 the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival as one of eight fellows working under Jeremy Denk and Conor Hanick among other guest artists. Alexander frequently participates in international competitions. He is the recipient of the Second Prize at the 2022 American International Paderewski Competition and is competing for one of the top three spots at the 2022 Dallas International Piano Competition in June 2022. Other competition prizes include semifinal placings at the 2021 Suzhou International Piano Competition, the 2020 National Chopin Competition, and First Prize wins at the Munz Chopin Competition and Artur Balsam Duo Competition. He has worked with several internationally renowned pianists, including John Perry, Robert McDonald, John Corigliano, Victor Rosenbaum, Nina Lelchuk, and Seta Tanyel, among others. Currently, Alexander balances a private teaching studio, concertizing, participating in competitions, working on a doctoral degree, and napping.

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 16 in g minor, BWV 861

Scriabin: Etude in b-flat minor, No. 11, Op. 8

Prokofiev: Etude in c minor, No. 3, Op. 2

Haydn: Sonata in b minor, Hob. XVI: 32

I. Allegro moderato

II. Menuet III. Presto Rachmaninoff: “Elegie,” from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 1

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve

Godowsky: Studies on Chopin’s Études: Etude No. 4 on Op. 10, No. 2

Godowsky: Studies on Chopin’s Études: Etude No. 9 on Op. 10, No. 5

Bach: Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother

I. Arioso: Adagio

II. (Andante)

III. Adagiosissimo

IV. (Andante con moto)

V. Allegro poco

VI. Fuga

Corigliano: Etude Fantasy

Chopin: Variations on “Là ci darem la mano,” Op. 2

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

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

I. Andante—Allegro

II. Tema con variazioni

III. Allegro, ma non troppo

Yanfeng Bai

CHINA

Pianist Yanfeng Bai is an international prizewinning pianist who recently won several prizes and awards … … including the 2022 “Best Performance” Prize in the American Paderewski International Piano Competition in 2022; First Prize at the 2017 China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition; Third Prize at the 2018 Grotrian International Piano Competition in Germany; and First Prize at the 2017 Concerto Competition of the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival. One of Yanfeng’s performances was mentioned in Strings Magazine in 2019 as “gorgeous playing.” He was also awarded First Prize in the China Central Television Piano Competition, First Prize at the Fourth Texas State International Piano Festival Classical Artists Development Foundation Emerging Artist Award, First Prize and Special Prize of the national youth piano competition “Kadanza Cup,” and was a prizewinner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Mr. Bai has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi, and the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra. He has given multiple recitals in the U.S., Italy, and China, and has been featured in interviews by OMNI Television in Canada, the World Federation of International Music Competitions, China Central Television, Piano Artistry Magazine, and Parsons Music.

Mr. Bai is a very active performer. He recently performed at the CCTV Silk Road New Year concert; at the legendary designer Frank Gehry’s 90th birthday celebration concert in Los Angeles; and at the 100th anniversary celebration of Mr. Xia Zhiqiu, where he performed the world premiere of the piano work Xia Zhiqiu in Southern Sea composed by Cui Shiguang. Other appearances include performances at the Aspen Music Festival, Colorado; the “Genius Piano Art Festival,” Italy; Shenzhen Mozart Music Festival, China; the 250th Anniversary Series of Beethoven, Los Angeles; Grand Piano Series in Florida; Zhongshan Concert Hall Liszt Marathon; Central Conservatory of Music Alumni Art Festival; Yangtze River Piano Music Festival; Central Conservatory of Music International Chamber Music Festival; Hubei Yangtze River Piano Art Festival; Pengzhou Citizens Music Festival; Beijing University Student Music Festival; and other exciting performances.

In the 2022/23 season, Mr. Bai will be a guest soloist in China with the Chifeng Symphony Orchestra and Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. He will also give concerts as a soloist and chamber musician in Los Angeles as well as participate in the Yangtze River Piano artist recital tour in China.

Mr. Bai is currently studying toward a Master’s of Music degree at the Colburn School of Music, where he studies with Fabio Bidini. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Colburn School of Music as well as a degree from the China Central Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Jin Zhang before coming to Los Angeles. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 17 in A-flat Major, BWV 862

Chopin: Étude in c-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4 Scriabin: Twelve Etudes, Op. 8 No. 1 in C-sharp Major: Allegro No. 2 in f-sharp minor: A capriccio, con forza No. 3 in b minor: Tempestoso No. 4 in B Major: Piacevole No. 5 in E Major: Brioso No. 6 in A Major: Con grazia No. 7 in b-flat minor: Presto tenebroso, agitato

No. 8 in A-flat Major: Lento (Tempo rubato)

No. 9 in c-sharp minor: Alla balata

No. 10 in D-flat Major: Allegro

No. 11 in b-flat minor: Andante cantabile No. 12 in d-sharp minor: Patetico

Beethoven: Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, Op. 26

I. Andante con variazioni

II. Scherzo, allegro molto

III. Maestoso andante, marcia funebre sulla morte d’un eroe

IV. Allegro Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g minor, Op. 23, No. 5

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Scriabin: Etude in c-sharp minor, Op. 42, No. 5

Carl Vine: Resolve

Paderewski: Nocturne in B-flat Major, Op. 16, No. 4

Barber: Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 26

I. Allegro energico

II. Allegro vivace e leggero

III. Adagio mesto

IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

I. Vivace, ma non troppo

II. Adagio

III. Allegro molto moderato

FINAL ROUND

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2 in c minor, Op. 18

I. Moderato

II. Adagio sostenuto—Più animato—Tempo I

III. Allegro scherzando

Elzbieta Bilicka

POLAND

Elzbieta Bilicka, a native of Poland, has been an active soloist with various orchestras in Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and the U.S.

Her recitals and recordings have been featured on BBC Radio, Central New York’s Classic FM, Polish TV Culture, and Polish Radio Koszalin. In 2021, Elzbieta released her debut CD on the Centaur Records label. The CD, titled Lights and Shadows, features music by Chopin, Ravel, Szymanowski, and Scriabin.

Elzbieta is the recipient of several prizes in national and international competitions. Her most recent prizes are: First Prize at the Second G-Clef International Music Competition in South Korea (2021); First Prize at the Walled City Music International Piano Competition in Derry, Northern Ireland (2020); First Prize at the Putra International Piano Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2020); laureate title at the 10th International Ignacy Jan Paderewski Piano Competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland (2016); and Third Prize at the Polish Chopin Piano NIFC Competition in Katowice, Poland (2016). In 2018, she was awarded the “Young Poland” Scholarship by the Polish Minister of Culture.

Elzbieta holds a Master of Arts degree in piano performance from the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. Between 2016 and 2018, she pursued graduate studies at the Geneva Haute école de musique in Switzerland. In September 2022, Elzbieta will be starting the Professional Studies program at Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Between 2019 and 2022, Elzbieta served as Piano Faculty Associate at the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 3 in C-sharp Major, BWV 872

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

Szymanowski: Etude in G-flat Major, Op. 4, No. 2

Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2

I. Allegro con brio

II. Adagio III. Scherzo: Allegro

IV. Allegro assai

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g minor, Op. 23, No. 5

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Bach: English Suite No. 3 in g minor, BWV 808

I. Prelude II. Allemande

III. Courante

IV. Sarabande

V. Gavotte I

VI. Gavotte II

VII. Gigue

Chopin: Ballade in f minor, Op. 52, No. 4

Chopin: Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat Major, Op. 22

Ravel: “Une barque sur l’ocean” from Miroirs

Ravel: La valse

Carl Vine: Resolve

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

I. Vivace, ma non troppo

II. Adagio

III. Allegro molto moderato

FINAL ROUND

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

I. Andante—Allegro

II. Tema con variazioni

III. Allegro, ma non troppo

Xinyao Feng

CHINA

Chinese pianist Xinyao Feng is a laureate of the ninth New York International Piano Competition, a biennial event presented under the auspices of the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation.

Ms. Feng has given recitals throughout China, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Her playing displays fine technical range, polished tonal crafting, and lucid and stylistic musicianship. Guangzhou Daily described her playing as “very exquisite and an infectious performance.”

Ms. Feng is the recipient of many honors, including the First Prize in several competitions such as the 15th Hong Kong Asia Piano Open Competition, GOCAA International Piano Competition, Duxbury Music Festival Solo Competition, and the Third Star River National Piano Competition. She is also the recipient of an Honorable Mention in the Marian Garcia International Piano Competition.

Xinyao Feng is a very active performer as well as a piano teacher. Her solo appearances include performances with renowned conductor Wangjian Ouyang at the Chengdu Jiaozi Concert Hall, as well as performances with the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she has performed contemporary music at the MusicAlp Festival in France, Summer Academy Voksenåsen in Norway, and the Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music in the United States.

Xinyao completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2019 and her Master’s degree in 2021 at

Manhattan School of Music, and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program, continuing her piano studies as a scholarship student with Mr. Jeffrey Cohen. She previously studied with Mrs. Hua Chang at the Music School Attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in China.

Ms. Feng is an active chamber musician. Recent performances include the chamber music festivals at Manhattan School of Music. She is the winner of the Second Prize in the chamber music competition at Duxbury Music Festival, where she performed Dvořák’s Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 87. She recently gave her first DMA solo recital in Greenfield Hall at Manhattan School of Music and a solo concert at Grace Church in New York.

Xinyao Feng performs often in master classes and was one of the young talents selected to attend the master class of maestro Richard Goode. Her excellent performance of Beethoven’s late sonata Op. 110 was highly praised and recognized by Mr. Goode. Ms. Feng is currently a contracted young artist of GOCAA. In 2021, she held a piano recital tour in China. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 14 in f-sharp minor, BWV 859

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

Bizet-Rachmaninoff: Transcription of “Minuet” from L’Arlessienne Suite No. 1

Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo

II. Allegro molto

III. Adagio ma non troppo—Allegro ma non troppo

Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141, No. 1 in g minor

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Schubert: Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946 No. 1 in e-flat minor No. 2 in E-flat Major No. 3 in C Major

Grieg: Ballade in g minor, Op. 24

Carl Vine: Resolve Carter: “Caténaires” from Two Thoughts About the Piano

Mendelssohn: Fantasie in f-sharp minor, Op. 28

Liszt: Paraphrase de concert sur Rigoletto, S. 434

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100

I. Allegro amabile

II. Andante tranquillo—Vivace—Andante— Vivace di più—Andante—Vivace

III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

FINAL ROUND

Ravel: Concerto in G Major

I. Allegramente

II. Adagio assai

III. Presto

Ji-Hyang Gwak

SOUTH KOREA

A prizewinner of numerous competitions, pianist Ji-Hyang Gwak has garnered international praise for her versatility, energy, and technical mastery.

As a performing solo artist, chamber musician, and pedagogue, she has made appearances across the United States, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Korea.

Ms. Gwak was the top-prize winner of the Sicily International Piano Competition, Seattle International Piano Competition, Franz Liszt International Piano Competition—Ohio, High Point University Piano Competition, and the Michigan MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition. Her most recent achievement was in the 2021 Lyon International Music Competition in France, where she won Third Prize and received a concert engagement from the Association Frédéric Chopin à Lyon. She also received prizes in numerous other competitions such as the 39th Joongang Music Concours and the Korea-Germany Brahms Associations Concours and was a semifinalist at the Concours musical international de Montréal, Seoul International Piano Competition, and the Ricard Viñes International Piano Competition. She has been selected to participate in several summer festivals, including the CCM Prague Festival in the Czech Republic, Sicily Piano Festival in Italy, UFIPF (University of Florida International Piano Festival) in Gainesville, and PianoTexas in Fort Worth.

Ji-Hyang Gwak has performed recitals in several prestigious venues including

Mozart Hall, Sejong Chamber Hall, Jungam Art Hall in Korea, Palffy Palace in Prague, Museo Diocesano in Sicily, the University of Florida in Gainesville, PepsiCo Recital Hall in Fort Worth, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, and Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor. Ji-Hyang made her orchestral debut at 15 with the Bucheon Chamber Orchestra at Jancheon Art Hall in Seoul. In 2014, she was the winner of the Eastman School of Music Concerto Competition, performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Eastman Philharmonia under the baton of Maestro Neil Varon in the historic Kodak Hall. She also played the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at Hill Auditorium in 2019.

Ms. Gwak holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance, summa cum laude, from Seoul National University and a Master of Music in piano performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music. Her teachers include Kyungrok Park, Jinson Kim, Prof. Hie-Yon Choi, and Prof. Natalya Antonova. She recently earned a Specialist degree at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Prof. Christopher Harding, where she earned a DMA (Doctoral of Musical Arts) degree in piano performance in 2020.

During the 2022/23 season, Ji-Hyang Gwak is invited to perform throughout the U.S., France, and Italy. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 12 in f minor, BWV 857

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

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in a minor, Op. 39, No. 6

Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2

I. Allegro con brio

II. Adagio III. Scherzo: Allegro

IV. Allegro assai

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in d minor, Op. 23, No. 3

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Haydn: Sonata in e minor, Hob. XVI: 34

I. Presto II. Adagio III. Vivace molto

Carl Vine: Resolve

Scriabin: Prelude Nos. 1, 4, 6, 11, and 14, Op. 11

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10 in E Major, S. 244

Ravel: Miroirs

I. Noctuelles

II. Oiseaux tristes

III. Une barque sur l’ocean

IV. Alborada del gracioso

V. La vallée des cloches

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100

I. Allegro amabile

II. Andante tranquillo—Vivace—Andante— Vivace di più—Andante—Vivace

III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

FINAL ROUND

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30

I. Allegro ma non tanto

II. Intermezzo: Adagio

III. Finale: Alla breve

Nianyi Huang CHINA

As the youngest classical pianist signed by leading Chinese brand Hailun Pianos in 2020, Nianyi Huang is a highly active performer and recitalist.

In 2021, he gave a seven-concert recital tour in China, performing in venues such as Long Gang Concert Hall in Shenzhen City, Hefei Theatre in Anhui Province, and Handan Theatre in Hebei Province. Prior to the pandemic, he performed at the Music Hall at Rocca Ariostesca in Lucca, Italy; Steinway Hall in New York City; and Nanjing Steinway Hall in China.

In 2018, he won the Shanghai Spring International Piano E-Competition. In the same year, he received the Special Gold Medal at the China Music Talent Award International Piano Competition. He was the Grand Prize winner at the 2019 annual competition of the International Academy of Music in Italy. He is the recipient of the Harold and Helene Schonberg Pianist Scholarship (2019–2021), and was recently accepted to New Paltz PianoSummer with a full scholarship.

A native of Anhui, China, Nianyi started studying piano at the age of 4. He graduated from the Middle School Affiliated with Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2016, where he was guided by Prof. Yun Sun. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Prof. Phillip Kawin. Nianyi is currently pursuing a Master of Music in piano performance at Manhattan School of Music, under the tutelage of Prof. Jeffrey Cohen. He was just admitted to the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program at Manhattan School of Music with a scholarship and teaching assistantship. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 4 in c-sharp minor, BWV 873

Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 10 in f minor Ligeti: Étude No. 13: “L’escalier du diable”

Beethoven: Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31

I. Allegro II. Scherzo III. Menuetto

IV. Presto con fuoco

Rachmaninoff: Polka de W.R.

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Chopin: Sonata No. 3 in b minor, Op. 58

I. Allegro maestoso

II. Scherzo: Molto vivace

III. Largo

IV. Finale: Presto non tanto

Bartók: Three Etudes, Op. 18

I. Allegro molto

II. Andante sostenuto

III. Rubato—Molto sostenuto

Schubert: Sonata No. 19 in c minor, D. 958

I. Allegro II. Adagio

III. Menuetto: Allegro—Trio

IV. Allegro

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Brahms: Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

I. Allegro non troppo

II. Allegro appassionato

III. Andante

IV. Allegretto grazioso—Un poco più presto

Seolyeong Jeong

SOUTH KOREA

A native of South Korea, pianist Seolyeong Jeong made her solo recital debut at the Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Korea, when she was 13.

As an active performer, Seolyeong was featured in various prestigious venues and concerts, including the New York Piano Festival and Competition Gala Concert at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall and the Vista Chamber Music Concert at Morse Memorial Hall at the Yale School of Music. She appeared as a soloist in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Beth El Temple Orchestra as part of its Asian Influence concert. In March 2023, she will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58, with the Shepherd School Symphonic Orchestra, as the winner of Shepherd School Concerto Competition.

Seolyeong has won several prizes at international and national competitions, including First Prize in the Piano Division and the Audience Choice Prize at the 2022 Young Texas Artists Music Competition, First Prize at the 2016 Connecticut Young Artist Competition, and Third Prize and the Award for the Best Performance of a 20th-Century Composition at the 2016 New York Piano Festival and Competition.

Seolyeong graduated from Seoul National University, summa cum laude, in 2015 with the class of Professors Hie-Yon Choi and Hyoung Joon Chang. She holds a Master of Music degree and a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Professors Peter Frankl, Hung-Kuan Chen, and Christopher Elton, as a full scholarship and fellowship recipient. In 2016, Seolyeong was the only recipient of the Charles S. Miller Prize, which is given to a gifted pianist who has done outstanding work during their first year of study at the Yale School of Music. She also performed as a soloist in the 2017 Yale School of Music Commencement Concert, as one of the representatives of the graduating students.

Seolyeong is currently a full scholarship, fellowship, and teaching assistant in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the mentorship of Dr. Jon Kimura Parker. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 11 in F Major, BWV 880

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

Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 10 in f minor

Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109

I. Vivace ma non troppo—Adagio espressivo

II. Prestissimo

III. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g minor, Op. 23, No. 5

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Mendelssohn: Fantasie in f-sharp minor, Op. 28 (“Scottish Sonata”)

I. Con moto agitato. Andante. Con moto agitato

II. Allegro con moto

III. Presto

Carl Vine: Resolve

Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42

Debussy: Des pas sur la neige (“Footprints in the Snow”) from Préludes Book I, No. 6

Debussy: Feux d’artifice (“Fireworks”) from Préludes Book II, No. 12

Stravinsky-Agosti: L’Oiseau de feu (“The Firebird”)

I. Danse infernale du roi Kastcheï

II. Berceuse

III. Finale

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58

I. Allegro moderato

II. Andante con moto

III. Rondo. Vivace

Ruben Kozin

RUSSIA

Ruben Kozin was born in Moscow in 1997. When he was 5 years old, he entered the local music school and at the age of 12, Ruben joined the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, where he studied piano with Professor Natalia Trull.

Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2020. In Russia, Ruben has performed at prestigious venues such as the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music, and the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Ruben has performed internationally in Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Armenia, and Belarus. He is the recipient of many awards in national and international competitions, including Third Prize at the 2016 International Piano Competition FVG in Sacile, Italy, and the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition in Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium. In 2017, Ruben was the Second Prize winner at the Malta International Piano Competition; the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan; and the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Ruben Kozin has a vast repertoire that includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben took part in the master classes of renowned pianists such as Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche. Ruben has appeared as a soloist with the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory Orchestra, the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra, and the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 3 in C-sharp Major, BWV 872

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in d minor, Op. 23, No. 3

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in D Major, Op. 39, No. 9

Szymanowski: Etude in G-flat Major, Op. 4, No. 2

Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo

II. Allegro molto

III. Adagio ma non troppo—Allegro ma non troppo Ligeti: Étude No. 13: “L’escalier du diable”

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Bach/Hess: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” from Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6

Carl Vine: Resolve

Prokofiev: Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

I. Allegro inquieto

II. Andante caloroso

III. Precipitato

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100

I. Allegro amabile

II. Andante tranquillo—Vivace—Andante— Vivace di più—Andante—Vivace

III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

FINAL ROUND

Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso— Allegro con spirito

II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo— Tempo I

III. Allegro con fuoco—Molto meno mosso— Allegro vivo

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND COMPETITOR

Zhiye Lin

CHINA

Hailed by the Boston Musical Intelligencer as a pianist who “breezed through the most technically difficult bits with impressive panache,” Zhiye Lin is a classical pianist who is increasingly being heard in important concert halls.

He has performed in many of the major concert halls in the world, including The Kennedy Center, Ningbo Concert Hall, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall, and Shanghai Oriental Art Center. He was the laureate of piano competitions in Tokyo, Spain, West Virginia, New York, and Singapore. He also appeared as soloist with Mercury Orchestra and the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra, under the batons of Channing Yu and Mitchell Arnold.

Although his father was an audiophile, Zhiye was the first musician in his family. He was attracted to music when he attended a concert for the first time, and his passion for music from that time drove him to the present day. After a few years of studying, he moved to Shanghai, which is 700 miles from his hometown in the southern part of China, to further study music. Zhiye enrolled in the prestigious Music Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Known for his performance of solo masterworks, he also actively engages with chamber music. The Dawn Trio, which he founded in 2010, was awarded Second Prize at the Chamber Music Competition of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Since then, he and his groups had been coached by well-known musicians, including Joseph Lin, Jerome Lowenthal, Peter Salaff, and Joel Smirnoff.

Committed to community engagement, he offers music to bring people joy, performing recently for senior citizens in the Hope Lodge, Judson Manor, and Judson Park.

Zhiye also interested in historical-music performance. He joined the Baroque Youth Orchestra of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music as a basso-continuo player and gave performances in He Luding Hall and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall.

He serves on the faculty at Musart Music School on Long Island. His students have been accepted into prestigious programs such as the Precollege Division at Manhattan School of Music.

Born in China, Zhiye Lin has a great passion for Chinese traditional culture, including poetry, painting, and calligraphy. Also, he is fascinated with traditional Chinese cooking, especially his hometownstyle cuisine. Even though he has tried his best to reproduce Teochew cuisine in his own kitchen, he still missed his grandma’s cooking during his studies in the U.S.

He earned his Bachelor of Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Master of Music at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Hae-Sun Paik and Hung-Kuan Chen. Currently, he is completing the Artist Diploma at the Peabody Institute under Richard Goode’s guidance. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 16 in g minor, BWV 885

Chopin: Étude in g-sharp minor, Op. 25, No. 6

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c minor, Op. 39, No. 1

Beethoven: Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

I. Etwas lebhaft, und mit der innigsten Empfindung (Somewhat lively, and with innermost sensibility)

II. Lebhaft, marschmäßig (Lively, march-like)

III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll (Slow and longingly)

IV. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit (Swiftly, but not overly, and with determination)

Rachmaninoff: Prelude No. 5 in G Major, Op. 32

Rachmaninoff: Prelude No. 12 in D-flat Major, Op. 32

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Haydn: Sonata in b minor, Hob. XVI: 32

I. Allegro moderato

II. Menuet

III. Finale. Presto

Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28

I. C Major, Agitato

II. a minor, Lento

III. G Major, Vivace

IV. e minor, Largo

V. D Major, Molto allegro

VI. b minor, Lento assai

VII. A Major, Andantino

VIII. f-sharp minor, Molto agitato

IX. E Major, Largo

X. c-sharp minor, Molto allegro

XI. B Major, Vivace

XII. g-sharp minor, Presto

XIII. F-sharp Major, Lento

XIV. e-flat minor, Allegro

XV. D-flat Major, Sostenuto

XVI. b-flat minor, Presto con fuoco XVII. A-flat Major, Allegretto XVIII. f minor, Molto allegro

XIX. E-flat Major, Vivace

XX. c minor, Largo XXI. B-flat Major, Cantabile XXII. g minor, Molto agitato

XXIII. F Major, Moderato

XXIV. d minor, Allegro appassionato

Carl Vine: Resolve

Godowsky: “Die Fledermaus” from Symphonische Metamorphosen Johann Strauss’scher Themen

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

Jonathan Mamora USA

An Indonesian-American and native of Southern California, pianist Jonathan Mamora strives to uplift and positively influence others using music as a means for service.

Jonathan’s performances have taken him throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia, and he is a prizewinner of several regional and international competitions, most recently in the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, the Dallas International Piano Competition, and the Eastman Piano Concerto Competition. He has also performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Dallas Chamber Symphony, Waring Festival Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and Coachella Valley Symphony. He was recently a featured artist for the LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert.

He often performs as a collaborative pianist for vocalists, instrumentalists, ensembles, and choirs. As a collaborator, Jonathan holds a graduate assistantship in accompanying at the Eastman School of Music and has received the Eastman Excellence in Accompanying Award. He also values education as an important tool in music-making. He serves as an instructor in music theory at Eastman and teaches piano for the Eastman Community Music School.

Jonathan is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the Eastman School of Music, studying with and serving as studio assistant for Douglas Humpherys. He received his Bachelor of Music from La Sierra University and his Master of Music from The Juilliard School. His previous teachers include Elvin Rodríguez and Hung-Kuan Chen. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in a minor, Op. 39, No. 6

Kreisler/Rachmaninoff: “Liebesleid”

Chopin: Étude in c-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 22 in b-flat minor, BWV 891

Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo

II. Allegro molto

III. Adagio ma non troppo—Allegro ma non troppo

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve

Liebermann: Sonata No. 3, Op. 82

Liszt: “Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este” from Années de pèlerinage: Troisième année

Rachmaninoff: Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 36 (1913 version)

I. Allegro agitato

II. Non allegro—Lento

III. L’istesso tempo—Allegro molto

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100

I. Allegro amabile

II. Andante tranquillo—Vivace—Andante— Vivace di più—Andante—Vivace

III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

FINAL ROUND

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 1 in f-sharp minor, Op. 1

I. Vivace—Moderato

II. Andante

III. Allegro vivace

Gregory Martin

UNITED STATES

American-born pianist Gregory Martin’s life in music has been filled with performance opportunities throughout the globe.

His primary pedagogical studies were as a young pianist in Moscow, Russia. This opportunity served to ignite his passion for Russian, German, and Polish music, and offered him the opportunity to perform internationally from a young age.

While in Russia, Gregory studied with Mikhail Voskresensky, Irina Plotnikova, and Andrei Diev. Currently, he studies under Robert Roux at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Gregory is a prizewinner of many competitions around the globe including the Grand Prize in the Jackie McGehee Young Artists’ Competition. Examples of his performances with symphony orchestras include Fort Worth, New Mexico, and the Moscow City Symphony Orchestras. Gregory’s main goal is to bring peace and to unite and inspire people worldwide through his musical performances. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 1 in C Major, BWV 870

Chopin: Études Op. 25: No. 1 in A-flat Major, “Aeolian Harp”; No. 4 in a minor, “Paganini” Beethoven: Sonata No. 21 in C Major, “Waldstein,” Op. 53

I. Allegro con brio

II. Introduzione. Adagio molto

III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato—Prestissimo Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g minor, Op. 23, No. 5

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Promenade

I. The Gnome Promenade (Second)

II. The Old Castle Promenade (Third)

III. Tuileries (Children’s Quarrel After Games)

IV. Cattle Promenade (Fourth)

V. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks

VI. “Samuel” Goldenberg and “Schmuÿle” Promenade (Fifth)

VII. Limoges. The Market (The Great News)

VIII. Catacombs (Roman Tombs)—With the Dead in a Dead Language

IX. The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba Yaga)

X. The Bogatyr Gates (The Great Gate of Kiev)

Tchaikovsky-Pletnev: Suite from The Nutcracker, Op. 71a

I. March

II. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy

III. Tarantella

IV. Intermezzo

V. Trepak

VI. Chinese Dance

VII. Pas de Deux

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

Priscila Navarro

PERU

Described as a “phenomenal talent” by the Atlanta Audio Club, Peruvian pianist Priscila Navarro is the winner of many international competitions … … including the Liszt-Garrison International Competition in Maryland, Beethoven Sonata Competition in Tennessee, Chopin International Competition of Texas, Artist Series of Sarasota, Imola City Awards in Italy, and the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition in Connecticut. Priscila made her Carnegie Hall solo recital debut in 2013 and returned there in 2022 for further concerts. Her performances in England this summer were streamed on BBC public radio as well as the Medici TV channel.

Priscila is a champion of Latin-American music, conducting research and creative activities to further the propagation of Latin-American art. Her most recent project included the development of a piano method for children based on Peruvian folk tunes. She has presented programs of Latin-American music at festivals such as Bravo Piano in Hilton Head Island and the Maverick Concert Series in New York.

Priscila holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the Frost School of Music, where she also completed Master and Artist Diploma degrees as a student of Santiago Rodriguez and Kevin Kenner. She graduated summa cum laude from Florida Gulf Coast University, where she studied with Dr. Michael Baron. She has been on the jury at international competitions including the Chopin International Competition for Latin-American Pianists, the Heida Hermanns International Competition, and the Parnassus International Competition. Priscila can be heard on the MSR Classics label. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 14 in f-sharp minor, BWV 883

Beethoven: Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31

I. Allegro

II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace

III. Minuet. Moderato e grazioso

IV. Presto con fuoco

Chopin: Étude in a minor, “Winter Wind,” Op. 25, No. 11

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in d minor, Op. 33, No. 4

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 23, No. 2

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Haydn: Sonata in b minor, Hob. XVI: 32

I. Allegro moderato

II. Minuet

III. Finale. Presto

Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel

Albéniz: “Evocación” and “Rondeña” from Iberia

Carl Vine: Resolve

Gershwin/Wild: “Embraceable You” and “I Got Rhythm”

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso— Allegro con spirito

II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo— Tempo I

III. Allegro con fuoco—Molto meno mosso— Allegro vivo

Piotr Pawlak

POLAND

Piotr Pawlak was born in 1998 in Gdansk. In 2016, he graduated with distinction from Feliks Nowowiejski Music School in Gdansk in the piano class of Waldemar Wojtal and the organ class of Hanna Dys.

He is a graduate from Gdansk Music Academy, where he continued to study piano with Waldemar Wojtal. He also studied conducting with Marcin NałęczNiesiołowski and finished his Master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Gdansk in 2020.

Piotr has performed as a pianist at numerous musical events in Poland, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, Georgia, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, China, and the United States. As a soloist, he has played with the Warsaw National Symphony Orchestra, Lower Silesia Philharmonic Orchestra, Holy Cross Philharmonic Orchestra, West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra, Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra and the Accademia Teatro La Scala Orchestra.

He was a scholarship recipient of the Polish Children’s Fund, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Polish Ministry of National Education, Prime Minister, Marshal of the Pomeranian District, and Mayor of the City of Gdansk. In 2014, he was awarded a scholarship funded by Kristian Zimerman. Piotr is a laureate of a number of national and international piano competitions.

He won First Prize and the Prize for the Best Improvisation at the XI Darmstadt International Chopin Piano Competition (2017), Second Prize at the I Beijing International Fryderyk Chopin Competition for Young Pianists (2016), Second Prize at the Stanisław Moniuszko International Competition of Polish Music in Rzeszów (2019), First Prize at the II International Competition for Young Pianists “Chopin at Wawel” in Cracow (2019), Second Prize (First Prize was not awarded) at the 8th International Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest (2018), and Honorable Mention and an Audience Award at the XI International Competition for Young Pianists “Step Towards Mastery” in Saint Petersburg (2017). He was a finalist of Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone in Milano (2021).

Piotr also won First Prizes at the International Chopin Piano Competitions in Antonin (2015), Szafarnia (2014, 2012, 2010, 2009), Budapest (2014, 2010), Jelenia Góra (2011), and the Grand Prix at Chopinowskie Interpretacje Młodych Festival in Konin (2013).

In 2018, he received Third Prize at the 10th International Sweelinck Organ Competition in Gdańsk and Pasłęk and in 2017, First Prize at the Organ Music Competition at the 29th International Festival of Religious Music in Rumia. In 2020, he was awarded Second Prize at the “Transatlantyk Instant Composition Contest” during the International Film Festival in Katowice.

In addition to his musical career, Piotr has been a laureate at national and international competitions in mathematics, informatics, and other sciences. He is a double Bronze Medalist at the International Mathematical Olympiad (South African Republic in 2014 and Thailand in 2015), double Silver Medalist at the International Math Competition “Romanian Masters in Mathematics” (2015, 2016), triple Gold Medalist at the International Mathematics Competition for University Students in Bulgaria (2017, 2018, 2019), and an absolute winner of the 12th International Internet Mathematical Olympiad at Ariel University (2019). 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846

Chopin: Étude in c minor, Op. 10, No. 12

Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini, No. 6 in a minor

Beethoven: Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

I. Allegretto ma non troppo

II. Vivace alla marcia

III. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto

IV. Allegro Rachmaninoff: Prelude in b minor, Op. 32, No. 10

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve

Chopin: Sonata in b-flat minor, Op. 35

I. Grave—Doppio movimento

II. Scherzo

III. Marche funèbre: Lento

IV. Finale: Presto

Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

Sohyun Shim

SOUTH KOREA

Sohyun Shim made her debut after qualifying for the Kumho Prodigy Recital at the age of 14.

She began her piano studies at the age of 5 and won numerous competitions and awards before and after her big performance at Kumho Art Hall. Before graduating from Seoul Arts High School in 2017, she performed the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra by placing first in their Third Annual Youth Music Competition. She then began her undergraduate studies at Seoul National University under the guidance of Professors Hee Sung Joo and later Ick Choo Moon. In her sophomore year of university, Sohyun returned to her debut stage at Kumho Art Hall to perform in the Kumho Young Artist Concert. Having found success domestically, Sohyun expanded her horizons abroad, where she received an Honorable Mention, and master class from Professor Boris Berman, at the International Taipei Maestro Piano Festival, and performed with the Orchestra del Music Fest Perugia in Italy.

Although COVID-19 halted the international music scene, she continued her career in Korea by performing in a joint recital, playing with the Seoul Orchestra, and participating in her professor’s special project where she was able to perform a part of Rachmaninoff’s étude series.

After graduating from Seoul National University, cum laude, Sohyun received a full scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music under Professor Norman Krieger. She currently serves as an associate instructor and dedicates her time between studying, practicing, and teaching. Sohyun is driven and enthusiastic about becoming the best musician she can be, and is currently preparing to perform the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Jacobs School of Music. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 23, No. 2

Haydn: Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI: 50

I. Allegro II. Adagio III. Allegro molto

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 17 in A-flat Major, BWV 862

Chopin: Étude No. 11 in a minor, “Winter Wind,” Op. 25

Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau No. 6 in a minor, Op. 39

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve

Haydn: Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI: 49

I. Allegro

II. Adagio e cantabile

III. Finale. Tempo di Menuet

Bach-Busoni: Chaconne

Schumann: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17

I. Durchaus fantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen; Im Legenden-Ton (Quite fantastic and passionately delivered; in the tone of a legend.)

II. Mäßig. Durchaus energisch. (Moderate. Quite energetic.)

III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten. (Taken slowly. Keep quiet throughout.)

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

I. Vivace, ma non troppo

II. Adagio

III. Allegro molto moderato

FINAL ROUND

Brahms: Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

I. Allegro non troppo

II. Allegro appassionato

III. Andante

IV. Allegretto grazioso—Un poco più presto

Ayane Shoda

JAPAN

Ayane Shoda (b. 1996) started playing the piano at the age of 3, and by the time she was 12 she had participated in 14 competitions and received 10 first prizes.

At the age of 15, she began to participate in the senior category, winning Third Prize at the Osaka International Music Competition and at the age of 16, she was a semifinalist at the Epinal International Concour. In 2015, she received the First Prize at the Malaga International Music Competition, 2016, and First Prize at the Valsesia International Competition. She received Third Prize at the Mauro Paolo Monopoli Prize. In 2019, she received the Grand Prix, First Prize, Katsarava Prize, ANA Prize, and the Russian Music Prize at the 1st Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition by unanimous decision of the jury.

She began studying Russian piano technique at the age of 13. In 2016, she held her first concert in Malaga, Spain, and since then she has periodically held concerts and recitals in Tokyo and Osaka. She was a participant in Professor Dina Yoffe’s master classes in France, Austria, Spain, and Japan, and in 2017, she participated in the master classes of Professor Eliso Virsaladze, Professor Billy Eidi, and Professor Guigla Katsarava. She was a special president scholarship student of the Tokyo College of Music. After graduation, Ayane began teaching the Russian piano technique she had learned to her students.

As a Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition prizewinner, she was scheduled to perform a recital in Paris in 2020, but due to the pandemic, it is still postponed. She currently works at the Mori Music Office, serving as a professional pianist and piano tutor. She is also an accomplished accompanist to violinists, vocalists, and instrumental soloists, and in November 2022, she performed a critically acclaimed concert with a German Lied singer on repertory including Schubert, Strauss, and Mahler. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 23 in B Major, BWV 868

Beethoven: Sonata No. 21 in C Major, “Waldstein,” Op. 53

I. Allegro con brio

II. Introduzione. Adagio molto

III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato—Prestissimo Rachmaninoff: Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4 Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau No. 1 in c minor, Op. 39

Liszt: Etudes d’exécution trancendante d’aprés Paganini, 1st version, No. 3, “Campanella”

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Barber: Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 26

I. Allegro energico

II. Allegro vivace e leggero

III. Adagio mesto

IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito

Carl Vine: Resolve Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 1 in f-sharp minor, Op. 11

I. Introduzione: Un poco adagio—Allegro vivace

II. Aria: Senza passione, ma espressivo

III. Scherzo: Allegrissimo—Intermezzo: Lento

IV. Finale: Allegro un poco maestoso

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso— Allegro con spirito

II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo— Tempo I

III. Allegro con fuoco—Molto meno mosso—

Allegro vivo

Alexander Sonderegger

RUSSIA

Alexander Sonderegger has performed with many orchestras including the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker; the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Región de Murcia, Spain; the Sinfonietta Lentua Orchestra; the Murmansk Philharmonic; and the Morocco Philharmonic Orchestra.

He has also performed concertos by Grieg and Tchaikovsky at the Liederhalle Beethoven Hall in Stuttgart.

Alexander Sonderegger was born in Petrozavodsk, Russia, to a family of musicians, and studied at the Petrozavodsk State Glazunov Conservatory under Viktor Portnoi. In 2008, he attended the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, where he was taught by Kirill Gerstein, Shoshana Rudiakov, Péter Nagy, and Florian Wiek. Alexander graduated from Stuttgart, passing his soloist concert exam with distinction.

Alexander has garnered prizes at many international competitions, including First Prize and “The Czech Radio Prize” at the Carl Czerny International Piano Competition in Prague and First Prize at the 16th International Piano Competition in Rome. In 2019, Alexander won First Prize at the 21st International Piano Competition of Ile de France and the IKIF Artist Recognition Scholarship Award at the International Keyboard Institute & Festival in New York.

For more than 15 years, Alexander has performed with his brother Eduard Sonderegger (violin) in the SONDEREGGER DUO. In 2019, the Duo released its first CD with works by Brahms, Enesco, and Szymanowski. The SONDEREGGER DUO is represented through Massa Konzertmanagement and will make a debut at the Gasteig Munich in October 2022.

Since 2021, Alexander Sonderegger has held a position as a docent at the Piano Department of the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart. On July 5, 2022, he will jump in for Mona Asuka Ott and perform Beethoven’s Concerto No. 3 in Beethoven Hall of Liederhalle. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 20 in a minor, BWV 889

Beethoven: Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2

I. Allegro vivace

II. Largo appassionato

III. Scherzo. Allegretto

IV. Rondo. Grazioso

Chopin: Étude No. 10 in b minor, Op. 25

Liszt: Six Grandes Études de Paganini: No. 2 in E-flat Major

Rachmaninoff: “Polichinelle” from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 4

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Bach: Fantasia and Fugue in g minor, BWV 542

Beethoven: Sonata in f minor, “Appassionata,” Op. 57

I. Allegro assai

II. Andante con moto

III. Allegro ma non troppo

Carl Vine: Resolve Scriabin: Sonata No. 2 in g-sharp minor, Op. 19

I. Andante

II. Presto

Balakirev: Islamey: Oriental Fantasy, Op. 18

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro

II. Adagio

III. Un poco presto e con sentimento IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Brahms: Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

I. Allegro non troppo

II. Allegro appassionato

III. Andante

IV. Allegretto grazioso—Un poco più presto

Hin-Yat Tsang

CHINA

A Young Steinway Artist, HinYat Tsang is the winner of the International Piano-Campus (Paris), Asian Chopin (Tokyo), and Manchester Concerto Competitions.

Tsang is also a top prizewinner and laureate of the Maria Canals (Barcelona), James Mottram (Manchester), Manhattan (New York), Gina Bachauer Young Artists (Salt Lake City), and Hong Kong International Piano Competitions. He was also a semifinalist at the Scottish (Glasgow) and Beethoven Telekom (Bonn) Competitions.

Tsang’s performance career has led him to some of Europe’s finest venues including Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall of London, Steinway Hall London, Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall (London), Laeiszhalle (Hamburg), Bechstein Centrum (Frankfurt), MusikinstrumentenMuseum (Berlin), Warsaw Philharmonic, Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona), and Casa da Música (Porto) among many others. These have included collaborations with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, and the London Chamber Orchestra. His performances have also been broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and RTHK Radio 4 as well as the Catalunya Música of Catalonia.

Tsang is also one of the young artists represented by the Musicus Society Hong Kong as well as both the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Keyboard Charitable Trust in London. A native of Hong Kong, Hin-Yat Tsang is a graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and holds both a Master’s and Artist Diploma

from the Royal College of Music in London, where he also served as the Constant and Kit Lambert Junior Fellow. His former mentors include Dmitri Alexeev and Eleanor Wong. Tsang currently resides in Germany and continues his studies at the Universität der Künste Berlin with Klaus Hellwig. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 12 in f minor, BWV 857

Beethoven: Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111

I. Maestoso—Allegro con brio ed appassionato

II. Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5

Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 12 in b-flat minor, “Chasse-Neige”

Scriabin: Etude No. 12 in d-sharp minor: Patetico, Op. 8

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve Schumann: Humoreske in B-flat Major, Op. 20

I. Einfach—Sehr rasch und leicht—Noch rascher—Erstes Tempo, Wie im Anfang

II. Hastig—Nach und nach immer lebhafter und stärker—Wie vorher

III. Einfach und zart—Intermezzo

IV. Innig—Schneller

V. Sehr lebhaft—Immer lebhafter, Stretto

VI. Mit einigem Pomp

VII. Zum Beschluss

Scriabin: Twelve Etudes, Op. 8

No. 1 in C-sharp Major: Allegro

No. 2 in f-sharp minor: A capriccio, con forza No. 3 in b minor: Tempestoso

No. 4 in B Major: Piacevole

No. 5 in E Major: Brioso

No. 6 in A Major: Con grazia

No. 7 in b-flat minor: Presto tenebroso, agitato No. 8 in A-flat Major: Lento (Tempo rubato) No. 9 in c-sharp minor: Alla balata No. 10 in D-flat Major: Allegro No. 11 in b-flat minor: Andante cantabile No. 12 in d-sharp minor: Patetico

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108

I. Allegro II. Adagio III. Un poco presto e con sentimento

IV. Presto agitato

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

Quanzhou Yan

CHINA

Quanzhou Yan has performed in many concerts and given solo recitals in many cities as well as participated in national and international festivals.

Mr. Yan won top awards in many competitions, including First Prize at the National Bakhchiyeva Piano Competition in 2013 (Russia), First Prize at the 10th “Way to Master” International Piano Competition in 2014 (Russia), and First Prize at the 2018 Semper Music International Competition (Italy). He is also the winner of the Music Teachers National Association—Steinway Young Artist Piano Competition in the South Central Division for both 2020 and 2021. Mr. Yan attended the Semper Music International Festival in 2018 and the PianoTexas International Festival in 2019, where he received instruction from internationally recognized pianists and pedagogues such as Pascal Rogé, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Jacob Katsnelson, Arie Vardi, and Stephen Hough. He was a winner of the 2016 Texas Christian University concerto competition, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the TCU Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Fokkens. Mr. Yan has also created a cadenza for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, which he performed with the Rostov Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Mileikovsky.

Quanzhou Yan began studying piano at age 5. In 2011, he was accepted to the Central Conservatory of Music in China and the Rostov State Rachmaninoff Conservatory in Russia. During five years of studying at the Rostov State Rachmaninoff Conservatory, he successfully completed his Bachelor of Music degree in the studio of critically acclaimed professor and People’s Artist of Russia, Rimma Skolohodova. Mr. Yan graduated with a Master of Music degree from Texas Christian University in 2018 under the guidance of esteemed pianist and pedagogue Dr. Tamás Ungár. Following graduation, he was awarded a full scholarship and decided to continue his Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance at TCU. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 10 in e minor, BWV 855

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5

Chopin: Étude in a minor, Op. 25, No. 4 Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in f-sharp minor, Op. 39, No. 3

Beethoven: Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78

I. Adagio cantabile—Allegro ma non troppo

II. Allegro vivace

Bartók: Tánc-Suite, Sz. 77

I. Moderato

II. Allegro molto

III. Allegro vivace

IV. Molto tranquillo

V. Comodo

VI. Finale. Allegro

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Carl Vine: Resolve Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 1 in f-sharp minor, Op. 11

I. Introduzione: Un poco Adagio—Allegro vivace

II. Aria

III. Scherzo: Allegrissimo—Intermezzo: Lento

IV. Finale: Allegro, un poco maestoso

Medtner: Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 5

I. Allegro

II. Intermezzo. Allegro

III. Largo

IV. Finale. Allegro risoluto

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

I. Vivace, ma non troppo

II. Adagio

III. Allegro molto moderato

FINAL ROUND

Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1, Op. 23

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso— Allegro con spirito

II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo

III. Allegro con fuoco

Chaojun Yang

CHINA

Applauded by enthusiastic audiences worldwide for her musical poetry, expressivity, and powerful virtuosity, pianist Chaojun Yang has enjoyed an international performing career since the age of 4.

With her consistently exciting and dynamic performances, she has appeared on concert stages in Shanghai—her native city, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, Australia, Croatia, Britain, the Philippines, North Korea, Poland, Canada, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. Chaojun has received awards from many competitions, including first place in the Shanghai Student Arts Festival Young Artists Competition; first place in the Morningside Music Bridge Chamber Music Competition in Calgary, Canada; the Silver Medal in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition; and the top prize in the North American Round of Hastings International Competition.

As a recitalist, Chaojun has performed in some of the greatest venues throughout the world, including the Sydney Opera House, Shanghai Symphonic Hall, and Detroit Symphony Hall—where her performance of Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata aired on classical radio station WRCJ. As a concerto soloist, she has appeared with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orchestra Now, the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Most recently in November 2021, she performed with the Eastman Philharmonia under the baton of Neil Varon as the winner of Eastman 2021 Concerto Competition.

Spotlighted by the major Chinese press (Xinhua News, SMG Shanghai Television, Family Education Times, etc.) as a child prodigy, at just 6 years old—at the invitation of the International Exhibitions Bureau (Bureau International des Expositions—and with the mayor of Shanghai—Chaojun visited France where she performed for 300 guests and governors from 88 countries. Her talents have also been on display at the Sydney Opera House, Taos Chamber Music Festival, Braunschweig Classix Festival in Germany, Pianofest in the Hamptons, Chopin House in Poland, Detroit Symphony Hall, Haikou Great Hall of the People, the Shanghai Grand Theater, Shanghai Concert Hall, and Shanghai Symphonic Hall.

Due to her outstanding musical performances, Chaojun has received commendations from the Shanghai Municipal Committee of Government and was awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award in May 2013.

Born into a family of music lovers, Chaojun’s first guiding light for music came from her father, a senior engineer who enjoyed playing numerous instruments in his spare time. Chaojun was subsequently trained in the distinguished Russian and Germanic pianistic traditions with teachers including Er-Yao Lin, Cheng-Zhi Ding, Mingduo Li (student of Yakov Zak), Zhe Tang, Michael Coonrod, Matti Raekallio, Benjamin Hochman, Hung-Kuan Chen, and Douglas Humpherys. Chaojun also benefited from lessons, master classes, and chamber music studies with Vladimir Ashkenazy, Borromeo String Quartet, Leon Fleisher, Joan Tower (composition), Fou Ts'ong, Richard Goode, Alexander Korsantia, David Krakauer, Anton Kuerti, Robert McDonald, John Perry, Shanghai Quartet, Paul Schenly, Peter Serkin, and Nelita True.

Chaojun graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan in 2013, then completed the combined Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts double degree from Bard College, majoring both in piano performance and French studies.

In 2019, Chaojun was awarded a full scholarship to The Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she got her Master of Music degree in June 2021. She is now pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in piano performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Professor Douglas Humpherys. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, No. 20 in a minor, BWV 865

Chopin: Étude No. 2 in a minor, Op. 10

Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 5, “Feux follets”

Mozart: Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332

I. Allegro II. Adagio

III. Allegro assai

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g minor, Op. 23, No. 5

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Chopin: Preludes, Op. 28 Nos. 1–12; 23; 24

Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178

Carl Vine: Resolve

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78

I. Vivace, ma non troppo

II. Adagio

III. Allegro molto moderato

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

Alexander Yau

AUSTRALIA

Alexander Yau, an eminent young Australian pianist, has developed himself as a versatile musician incorporating his many musical talents as a chamber musician, vocalist, conductor, and composer.

He has performed as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and SBS Youth Orchestra in Rachmaninoff’s first three concerti, as well as the mighty Brahms Concerto No. 2 with the Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra. He has given solo and chamber performances at the Canberra International Music Festival in Australia, FOCUS Festival in New York, International Mendelssohn Akademie in Leipzig, and in notable venues such as Polish Embassy of Australia, City Recital Hall Angel’s Place, Troldhaugen in Norway, Australian Pavilion at Shanghai Expo, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. In 2020, he founded his own chamber orchestra and conducted Mozart’s Concerto No. 23 from the piano in the group’s inaugural concert. This year, he released his first album in collaboration with clarinetist Deborah de Graff, featuring his own compositions and works by other Australian composers.

Alexander obtained his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School, studying under Professor Matti Raekallio. He now holds the role of collaborative pianist at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and causal repetiteur/assistant conductor at Opera Australia. For his upcoming engagements in 2022/23, he has been invited to give lieder recitals presented by the Sydney Schubert Society, where he will sing and accompany himself from the piano. 

VIRTUAL FIRST ROUND

Bach: Prelude and Fugue from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, No. 14 in f-sharp minor, BWV 883

Beethoven: Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2

I. Allegro vivace

II. Largo appassionato

III. Scherzo. Allegretto

IV. Rondo. Grazioso

Liszt: Étude No. 2, “La leggierezza.” S. 144

Tchaikovsky-Rachmaninoff: Lullaby, Op. 16, No. 1

Scriabin: Etude No. 5 in c-sharp minor, Op. 42

IN-PERSON SECOND ROUND

Scriabin: Sonata No. 2 in g-sharp minor, Op. 19

I. Andante

II. Presto

Carl Vine: Resolve

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales

I. Modéré—très franc

II. Assez lent—avec une expression intense

III. Modéré

IV. Assez animé

V. Presque lent—dans un sentiment intime

VI. Vif

VII. Moins vif

VIII. Épilogue: lent

Chopin: Sonata No. 3 in b minor, Op. 58

I. Allegro maestoso

II. Scherzo: Molto vivace

III. Largo

IV. Finale: Presto non tanto

SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100

I. Allegro amabile

II. Andante tranquillo—Vivace—Andante— Vivace di più—Andante—Vivace

III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

FINAL ROUND

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 16

I. Andantino—Allegretto

II. Scherzo: Vivace

III. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato

IV. Finale: Allegro tempestoso

THANK

COMPETITION Board & Staff

BOARD

Maureen Baca

President

Olga Kern

Artistic Director & President of the Jury

Roland Gerencer, MD Vice President

Thomas Bird Secretary-Treasurer

Art Gardenswartz

Marian Tanau Executive Director

STAFF

Olga Kern

Artistic Director & President of the Jury

Marian Tanau Executive Director

Nancy Pressley-Naimark

Business Manager

Matt Hart Production Coordinator

Joan Olkowski Design & Marketing

Lori Newman Editor 

SPECIAL THANKS Generous Support

Volunteers, Expertise, Services, & Equipment.

The Olga Kern International Piano Competition would like to thank the following people for their support and inkind donations of volunteer time, expertise, services, product, and equipment.

The City of Albuquerque

Mayor Tim Keller

Trudy Jones & the Albuquerque City Council

Dr. Shelle Sanchez & the Albuquerque Cultural Services Department

Businesses & Individuals

Lee Blaugrund

Vivian Chiu, Steinway & Sons Co.

The Clyde Hotel

Alexis Corbin, KHFM

Rick Holcomb, Pianos

Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Jeff Kramer, KHFM

Jim Long, CEO, Heritage Hotels

Suzie Lubar, President Heritage Hotels Real Estate Company

Lori Newman, editing

Joan Olkowski, graphic design

Christine Rancier, New Mexico Philharmonic

Crystal Reiter, New Mexico Philharmonic Ben Steiner, CEO Steinway & Sons Co.

Brent Stevens, KHFM 

THANK YOU Host Families

We are very grateful to our host families for opening up their homes.

Ron Bronitsky & Jim Porcher Dennis & Kathie Chavez

Lloyd Colson Mary Conrad & Bill Wallace Emily Cornelius Thomas & Martha Domme Monika & Robert Ghattas

Bartlett Graham & Isabel Bucher Sarah Mathey

Bob & Susan McGuire

Ron & Mary Moya

Dr. Ed Rose & Suzan Milhoun 

Volunteers Mike Beerman

Dianne Cress

Jackie Ericksen Helen Feinberg

Robert Gough Elene Gusch

Geri Newton Bronwyn Willis 

DONORS

2019–2022

BENEFACTOR LEVEL

$50,000-$100,000

Lee Blaugrund

City of Albuquerque

LAUREL LEVEL

$25,000–$49,999

Eugenia & Charles Eberle Noémi Neidorff

OLGA’S CIRCLE $10,000–$24,999

Roland Gerencer

PLATINUM LEVEL

$5,000–$9,999

Cynthia Phillips & Thomas Martin

Dr. Dean Yannias

GOLD LEVEL $2,500–$4,999

Olga Kern

Christine Kilroy

SILVER LEVEL

$1,000–$2,499

Maureen & Stephen Baca

Thomas Bird

Carson-Pfafflin Family Foundation

Bob & Greta Dean Firestone Family Foundation

Art Gardenswartz & Sonya Priestly

David Gay

Jonathan & Ellin Hewes

Robert Milne & Ann DeHart

Scott Obenshain

John Provine

Timothy & Barbara Roels

Edward Rose Barbara Servis

Terri Sloan

Marian & Jennifer Tanau

Jay Van Eman

BRONZE LEVEL

$500–$999

Joe Bentley

Mark & Susan Conradi

Jean & Bob Gough

Lauro Guaderrama

Linda S. Marshall

James O’Niell & Ellen Bayard

Gary & Carol Overturf

Matt & Denise Poage

Alex Soldier

Laurence Wells

Jeffrey West Trudy White

COMPETITION LEVEL

$100–$499

Janet Arrott

Edie Beck

David & Judith Bennehum

Barry Berkson

Richard & Iris Brackett

Mary Letty Buchholz

Ann Carson Camille Carstens

Robert & Olinda Chavez Jane & Kenneth Cole

Marcia Congdon

Philip & Christine Custer

Michael Dexter

John & Helene Dickel

Thomas & Martha Domme Carl & Joanne Donsbach Leonard & Patricia Duda

Thomas Dyble Helen Feinberg

Evelyn Feltner

Joseph Freedman

Lawrence & Mary Fricke

John A. Garcia

Jack & Lorraine Gordon Justin M. & Blanche G. Griffin

Stephen Hamm

Carol Hewitt

Nancy Hill

Suzanne Howard Bryan “Lance” & Debrah Hurt J & M Charitable Fund Gwenellen Janov

Joyce S. Kaser Thomas & Greta Keleher Robert & Toni Kingsley William & Norma Lock Richard & Myra Lynch

Douglas Mapel Tyler M. Mason William Moffatt

Doris Moore

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Karla Puariea Matthew Puariea Ray Reeder

Matthew Roberts Sofya Rubinchik Howard & Marian Schreyer Rae Lee Siporin

Lillian A. Snyder Linda Srote Maria & Mark Stevens Golda Tatz

Bruce Thomson & Phyllis Taylor

Laurence B. Titman Tureck International Bach Competition, Inc.

FOLLOWERS OF THE COMPETITION LEVEL $10–$99

Joe Alcorn & Sylvia Wittels Jo Anne Altrichter & Robin Tawney

Shirley M. Anderson Allen & Ruth Archambault Graham Bartlett

Charleen Bishop Tomas & Karin Butchart

Jeffrey Edgar Jacqueline Ericksen Martin & Ursula Frick

Pamela Gordon Teresa M. Grunewald

Franklin Hardesty

Marilyn Hartig

Gerald Kiuttu Carol N. Lovato

Suzanne Lubar Robert Malseed Reginald McLemore Donna McRae David & Marilyn Novat Marian & Richard Nygren

Paul Oostenbrug Russell & Elizabeth Raskob

Carol Raymond

Judith Reynolds Suzanne Taichert John Tischhauser

Anthony Vigil Sybil Wertheim Joseph & Merida Wexler Janislee Wiese William & Sharon Williams Bronwyn Willis Ken Wright 

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