AAFb-2016

Preface
There is an awful lot of violence and aggression in certain
regions of our world, introducing chaos and disrupting the
lives of millions of innocent people, leaving them in despair
and causing them to flee into a world of uncertainty.
What can be done to temper those hostile and destructive
forces, that create such terror? I wish that people can reside in
a stable environment and would also find some time to listen to
classical music. Classical music is important. I strongly believe
that it brings harmony to our lives and more peace to society.
Let’s hope that governments also support this.
This edition of the AAF catalogue offers again a lot of information on the international
piano competitions worldwide. In 2015, important competitions took place. Apart from
announcing the next events, the organisers present their winners with some nice photos in
this catalogue.
Some competitions are having uncertainty about the future. A few were cancelled or had
to be postponed. The competition in Cologne will not be open for piano any more, but
several others are scheduled for 2016 and joined AAF or came back, such as the
competitions in Sydney, Budapest and Cleveland. At the end of 2015, the total number of
competitions and organisations affiliated with AAF had increased to 159.
In 2015, financial support was offered to ten competitions to organise a special reception
for the contestants. More information and some impressions can be found on pages 64-66.
AAF took the initiative to offer a special AAF award at the Chopin Competition in
Warsaw (Poland) and at the competition in Hamamatsu (Japan) (see pages 67-69). In
2016, we will continue to assist and support pianists and competition organisers and to
encourage the enjoyment of classical music in general.
More and more organisers do not allow any more that students of jury members take part
in the same competition, and several competitions publish all the votings by the jury.
Social media, internet, video uploads and (high quality) live webcasts play an increasingly
important role. Special attention is given in this catalogue to these and other trends.
There is also an extra page with information about travel and accommodation assistance.
Aspiring pianists should definitely visit AAF’s website which is frequently updated, or
take a look at AAF’s Facebook page which has many followers!
Gustav Alink
Alink - Argerich Foundation | 1