Hitting all the right notes
By PAUL SOMERVILLE
Thirty-two of the world’s best young pianists have been dazzling local audiences at the Sydney International Piano Competition (SIPC).
The Competition’s grueling schedule requires each participant to present several 30-to-70 minute solo recitals comprising some of the most technically difficult—and astonishingly beautiful—repertoire from the European classical tradition. Think pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov and the like, all played flawlessly from memory, with musicianship and interpretation at a world-class level. The twelve semifinalists also had to play a chamber music work with either a violinist or ‘cellist.
Seeing young performers (the competitors are all between 18 and 30) of this calibre playing with such meticulous control and passion frequently moved audiences at the Conservatorium to lure them back out on stage for a second or third curtain call.
The final six competitors will each perform a piano concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House before the winner is announced on 22 July. He or she will take home $50,000 out of a total prize pool exceeding $200,000.
The well-regarded SIPC has been held every four years since 1977, with players coming from Asia, Europe, South America, the US and Canada, as well as Australia. All 2023 sessions were live-streamed (and are still available on YouTube). As part of the SIPC’s commitment to promoting new Australian music, participants, had to perform one work by an Australian composer written since 2000.
Watching these gifted youngsters from so many nations sharing such profound and exquisite piano music, one couldn’t help but think that occasions like this—cultural events that bring people together from all parts of the globe—must be a force for good in our world of international tensions and war.
