AAFb-2016

Selection procedures
Competition organisers are not to be envied. Well before the competition starts, they
worry not only about the financing, but also whether their event will attract enough
participants. How many will apply? And indeed, even up to two weeks before the deadline,
it may happen that only few applications have arrived. The organisers get nervous and
consider to extend the deadline. But, most of the applications usually arrive at the last
moment. Another worry is what to do when there are too many applications?
Preselections
There are various ways to conduct a preselection. It has almost become a standard
requirement for applicants to supply a recording. Not so long ago, an audio recording on
CD would suffice, but now, it has become usual that a video recording must be provided.
Video links or a video upload are encouraged as an alternative to sending a DVD.
Not many competitions organise Live auditions or a preliminary round that precede the
main competition. In 2016, live auditions will be held by the Paderewski Competition
(Bydgoszcz, Poland) in eight cities around the world. Auditions are also organised by the
Gina Bachauer Competition, the New York Concert Artists and in 2017: the Cliburn and
Liszt Competition in Utrecht. Pianists may also audition for the Hastings Concerto
Competition, the WPTA and for the Prix Animato in Paris.
The first 50 are accepted …
Some competitions limit the number of participants by accepting only the first 50 (or 75)
applicants. The clear advantage for the organisers is that they do not have to carry out an
elaborate preselection procedure. But, there is also a disadvantage: pianists who already
have some concert engagements may find it difficult to plan everything and will wait until
the very last moment to apply. So, these pianists would then have to be refused and the
competition might miss some interesting performers …
Online competitions
no travelling
Online competitions exist where pianists may send their recordings or provide an internet
link, after which a committee announces the laureates and invites them: the WPTA
Competition, the first Cochran Competition in Poland and the Gawon Award in Korea.
The advantage for the participants is that they do not need to travel to compete, and the
organisers do not need to rent a hall for one or two weeks. However, the excitement and
great experience of a live event and the special atmosphere with an audience is missing.
The true sound of the piano should really be heard in a concert hall, and to make a fair
comparison, the conditions should be the same for all participants.
Recently, a new online competition was launched: the Manhattan International Music
Competition. The winners are offered a concert at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall and more.
48 | Piano Competitions Worldwide 2016