The Cleveland International Piano Competition

The 2009 Cleveland International Piano Competition is only a few months away, beginning on Tuesday July 28 and running through Sunday August 9, 2009. The competition is held in Cleveland every two years, and contestants from all around the world come to here to complete for the top honor. The competition began in 1975, and in 1994, as its global recognition had grown, it became the Cleveland International Piano Competition. It draws hundreds of pianists to qualify to come and compete in Cleveland.

According to Cleveland International Piano Competition web site:

The first prize winner also is provided with a series of engagements under the auspices of the Competition, two years of management service, a compact disc recording on the Naxos label, and a New York recital debut at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

The Competition is held biennially over a ten-day period that begins with the candidates performing solo recitals for the audience as well as an esteemed international panel of judges. Candidates are eliminated by vote of the jury until four finalists remain. These talented individuals perform concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra to determine the winner. The final rounds are held over a two-night period (two candidates per night) at Severance Hall. The winner is announced following the final performance.


WCLV 104.9 will broadcast the entire 2009 competition live, including the competition at the Cleveland Playhouse Bolton Theatre, the Concerto Rounds with The Cleveland Orchestra, and the Winner's Recital from Severance Hall. It will also be streamed on their web site WCLV.com.

For piano lovers like me, it is a real treat. To help get everyone in the mood, I have included (below) a video of the performance and interview with the 2007 winner, Alexander Ghindin from Russia.


Further Reference

Cleveland International Piano Competition

WCLV.com

Plain Dealer lists the 35 finalists


Alexander Ghindin 2007 Winner Cleveland International Piano Competition



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