Honens International Piano Competition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Honens International Piano Competition is a triennial classical piano competition held in Calgary, Canada that awards one of the world’s most prestigious prizes in piano performance. In addition to a large cash award, the top prize winner receives an extensive career development program, [1] that includes concert engagements, a recording, management, and beginning in 2002, a Banff Centre residency.[2] It is the world's richest piano competition.[3]

Founding[]

In 1991 Esther Honens, a Canadian philanthropist, entrepreneur, and amateur pianist, gave a $5 million endowment to host an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary.[4] She attended the inaugural competition in 1992 in a wheelchair, and died from Parkinson's disease[5] a few days after it ended.[6]

The Competition[]

Fifty quarterfinalists are chosen from a pool of candidates (130 candidates were submitted for the 2021 competition). Ten of these are chosen as semifinalists at rounds held in New York[7] and Germany. These are then narrowed down to three finalists[8] who complete for a substantial cash prize (CA $100,000 as of 2018) and an extensive three-year career development program[9] that includes artist management, debuts in concert halls around the world and with major orchestras,[10] production of professional recordings, and mentorship opportunities. The other two finalists receive cash prizes ($10,000 in 2018).

The Competition doesn't just look for an outstanding virtuoso. It looks for the 'Complete Artist,' requiring finalists to collaborate in performances with other musicians in chamber and vocal settings and concerto performances, in addition to playing self-programmed solo recitals, and to participate in individual filmed interviews.[11]. For this reason, juries include representatives of music management and the recording industry as well as active concert pianists.[12] Competitors are encouraged to showcase themselves and their own artistry rather than sticking to competition strategy.[13]

Upon being named Prize Laureate of the 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Nicolas Namoradze said Honens is "the whole package...It's so much more than just winning a prize at a big competition. It jump-starts one's career and it's an opportunity that's really unlike any other."[14]

The Competition has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions since 1998.[15] Steinway & Sons is the official sponsor of the Competition.[16]

Festival[]

Since 2014 the Competition has expanded to include a festival taking place in a variety of indoor and outdoor Calgary venues[17] each year.[18] The Honens Festival and Piano Competition earned a White Hat of the Year award from Tourism Calgary in 2015.[19]

Laureates[]

The Honens International Piano Competition named between three and five Laureates up to and including its 2009 competition. Starting in 2012, it switched to a sole Prize Laureate system.[12]

1992

1996

2000

2003

2006

  • , South Korea
  • , Germany
  • , China

2009

  • , Russia
  • , Russia
  • , Switzerland

2012

2015

  • Luca Buratto, Italy[12]

2018

  • Nicolas Namoradze, Georgia[20]

2021

  • The 2021 Honens International Piano Competition was postponed until 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]


References[]

  1. ^ Hilary Stroh (12 September 2018), Georgian pianist Nicolas Namoradze wins 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, retrieved 21 January 2022
  2. ^ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn’t guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  3. ^ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn’t guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  4. ^ Stephen Cera (29 August 2018), Honens International Piano Competition brings the world to Calgary, The Whole Note, retrieved 31 January 2022
  5. ^ Heather Setka. "Esther Honens' spirit continues to support musical excellence". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  6. ^ Nowell, Iris (1996). Women who Give Away Millions: Portraits of Canadian Philanthropists. Anthony Hawke. p. 106. ISBN 0-88882-186-7.
  7. ^ Vivien Schweitzer (9 October 2012), Riding Into Carnegie Hall on a Masterpiece by Bach, New York Times, retrieved 31 January 2022
  8. ^ 50 quarter-finalists chosen for the 2021 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, 15 December 2020, retrieved 31 January 2022
  9. ^ "Honens announces semi-finalists for renowned piano competition | Calgary Herald".
  10. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Pianist-Composer and Honens Winner Nicolas Namoradze on His Carnegie Hall Debut". 28 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  11. ^ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn’t guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  12. ^ a b c William Littler (17 September 2015). "Winning isn't everything at Honens piano competition". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  13. ^ Holly Harris (31 March 2021), PROFILE: Nicolas Namoradze: ‘Life Is Full Of Surprises’, Ludwig Van, retrieved 21 January 2022
  14. ^ Rising star pianist says top prize of $100K in Calgary will jump-start career, CBC/Radio-Canada, 11 September 2018, retrieved 21 January 2022
  15. ^ "Calgary – Honens Piano Competition". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  16. ^ Monique de St. Croix (1 December 2018), Sponsorship feud strikes a sour note at Honens International Piano Competition, The Globe and Mail, retrieved 31 January 2022
  17. ^ Simon MacLeod (4 September 2019), The 2019 Honens Festival offers a spectacular balance of piano classics — both near and far, The YY Scene, retrieved 31 January 2022
  18. ^ Kenneth DeLong (13 September 2021), Review: Honens Festival adapts, excels with the conditions, Calgary Herald, retrieved 31 January 2022
  19. ^ damienwood (18 May 2016), Tourism Calgary celebrates Calgary's best and brightest with 54th annual White Hat Awards, Calgary Herald, retrieved 11 February 2022
  20. ^ "Unparalleled Georgian pianist takes top honours at Honens competition". Calgary Herald. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  21. ^ Michael Vincent (3 March 2021), Honens International Piano Competition Moves To 2022, Ludwig Van, retrieved 31 January 2022

External links[]

Retrieved from ""