17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition
The 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition will take place from 22 February to 2 March 2024. Forty extraordinary young concert pianists from 18 countries will compete for the Sophia Guo First Prize, an award that includes the Hastings Fellowship (an invaluable artist development package provided by one of the UK’s leading artist’s agents), professional engagements and a substantial cash prize, as well as the Molly Townson cup. There are also cash prizes for the other finalists.
Almost 250 young concert pianists from 37 countries from as far afield as China and Tajikistan submitted video auditions, and the 40 finalists have been chosen by the pre-selection jury, chaired by Artistic Director Professor Vanessa Latarche, to travel to East Sussex next month. Competitors must be aged between 16 and 30 at the time of the competition.
The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition has become one of the world’s pre-eminent international piano competitions and is unusual in that it offers competitors the opportunity to play concerto movements (accompanied by another pianist) from the very first rounds rather than only at a later stage in the competition. Competitors must be prepared to play two contrasting concertos and a solo recital programme. Recital programmes will all include a new piece by the Austrian-American composer Lera Auerbach, specially commissioned for the competition.
For the first time, the Southbank Sinfonia – a chamber orchestra that is formed anew each year by the recruitment of 33 promising music graduates – will accompany the 10 semi-finalists in the classical concertos they choose, and the full forces of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will play once again for the five finalists. Both rounds will be conducted by Rory Macdonald. Japanese pianist Shunta Morimoto, who won first prize in 2022, will return to give a short performance as part of the second final on 2 March 2024, while the jury are reaching their final decisions. All rounds are open to the public. The event will be streamed online, allowing a worldwide audience to experience the event even if they cannot travel to Hastings. The competition is generously supported by Steinway & Sons and numerous sponsors and benefactors, including Arts Council England, through its Lottery programme.
Details of ticket sales for the concerts can be found at: hastingsinternationalpiano.org/whats-on. All concerts will be held at the White Rock Theatre.
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