piano competition

I wish you all the best in your application... that would be a thrilling (although nerve-wracking :wink: ) experience to have. I'm staying tuned!

 

Pianolady wrote:

First of all, I think it's wonderful that you're taking on the challenge of a piano competition. If you've never been in a competition before, you'll never forget the experience! For most regional competitions, to become accepted, all you really need to display is technique. However, to place in the top tier, the pianist needs more than technical mastery, one has to be versatile in various genres of music. So to answer your question, at the end, judges are looking for that "exceptional musician" whose interpretation stands out above the other contestants. We all know it, when we hear it - it's that musical "WOW" factor!

How do you get "Wow" in front of your name?... It's in your character, but it can be developed over time. Everyone experiences life differently. Besides innate talent, that musical "Wow" factor is earned through knowledge, reading, history, aesthetics, culture, personal identity, morality, psychology, experiencing life, work, taking risks, thinking outside the box - creative spirit & vision, balance exaggeration/inhibition, humor, suffering, humility, elation, time, spirituality/faith, and what I call "vicarious transformation" - the ability to place yourself in the composer's mental state when you're on stage. Give yourself all the time to prepare yourself when you're up there. You have to be a demon and angel at the same time - Life is full of contrasts. Don't be afraid to communicate! It's a quality that the greatest pianists possess.

It's been a while... I was 16 when I had my last piano competition. (during a period in my life that I could practice Whatever happens, don't take it personally. I always think it's better to try and fail, rather than to prove that it can't be done. You have to go with the attitude that you have absolutely nothing to lose. You've taken an admirable first step in getting the courage to apply. That alone deserves congratulations! BRAVO!

Good Luck!!!!

 

I am very happy you did, Monica. What repertoire did you send in for the application? And what are you going to play if you are in? I'll keep my fingers crossed (except when I practice).

 

You made the correct choice, I think. Amateur playing is all about what one likes to play, and amateur competitions usually reflect this. Also, working over pieces you love instead of learning others from scratch is a wise decision, you capitalize on your previous hard work. Sometimes I think that the PS recording routine is sort of bad since diverts energy from our main projects to momentary fancies.

OK, there's no problem. I bet you've included: Granados and Chopin. Yes, I know, it was easy. :lol:

I think you'll know some days after the application deadline, which is April 1st.

 

No one should plan anything as serious as this for April 1st!!!

 

Monica, I'm very happy for your choice!! It's my dream, too, to participate in such an amateur competition some day Are you allowed to have scores at playing? Anyway my finger are crossed, too!

 

In Berlin there is one (every other year) gaining popularity, www.ipac-berlin.org, but with the usual lower age limit of 35 years. You will have to wait! By the way I think that the only Piano Amateur Competition with virtually no lower age limit (that is, 18 years) is the Pianoamateurs in Paris.

 

Thank you Alfonso for this wonderful info! Actually I have to wait, but not that long (I think I'm much older that you guess :lol: ). One thing which I don't like in that competition is the rule that you must play at least one piece of Mendelssohn or Schumann or Chopin or Liszt in each round :roll: What is with Beethoven, Mozart or Rach?

 

That rule changes everytime. This year they celebrate the 1809-11 MSCL anniversary. Two years ago you had to play Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart in the first round. In 2012, who knows?

 

I don't have much to add here other than to wish you the best in your endeavor, and I hope you make it to the competition. Keep us posted!!

 

2009 was the year of Mendelssohn's 200th birthday. 2010 is the year of Chopin's and Schumann's 200th birthdays. 2011 will be the year of Liszt's 200th birthday. :wink:

Oh, and good luck Monica! I hope you get in. I could never do something like that.

 

To me, there's no question at all. Always play what you can play well, difficult or not. (I'm dying of curiosity to know which pieces they are...)