Musicians go for gold in the Olympics of piano

Organisers of the KERIKERI NATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION have had inquiries from as far away as Russia and Greece, as well as from Australia and New Zealand with pianists wanting to vie for the honour of being a prize winner at this demanding level of performance.The four-day event runs from July 1-4 and has a total prize purse of $25,000. The winner will receive $12,000 the second $6000 and third $3000. There are additional prizes of $2000 for the Best Sonata Performance, and $1000 each for the Encouragement and People’s Choice Awards. The competition is open to pianists of any nationality who are under 30 years as of June 30, 2010.

The closing date is April 1 with entry forms availableatwww.knpc.org.nz

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

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

Tickets to the four-day event will go on sale at The Centre, Kerikeri in May.

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

Mr Tiu has won major international piano competitions, including the first prize in the UNISA International Piano Competition in South Africa and the Juilliard William Petschek Award, which resulted in his highly-acclaimed New York debut recital in the Alice Tully Hall.
For those wanting to know more about the competition, go towww.knpc.org.nz