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CIPC to present Martha Argerich in Cleveland debut with Sergei Babayan

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by Mike Telin
Cleveland — May 1, 2017

Argerich-BabayanThe Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) announced today that it will present legendary pianist Martha Argerich in her Cleveland debut in a duo piano performance with her friend and colleague Sergei Babayan on Monday, October 30, at 7:30 pm in Severance Hall.

“It’s unbelievable that this is Martha’s first performance in Cleveland,” CIPC president and CEO Pierre van der Westhuizen said during an interview. “And having her play with Sergei, a CIPC winner who has gone on to have his own spectacular career, makes it even more special. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The program will include Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos, K. 448 and the Larghetto and Allegro for Two Pianos, as well as Babayan’s two-piano transcriptions of music of Prokofiev. [Read more…]

CIPC Concert Series: pianist Marc-André Hamelin at CMA (March 21)

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by Daniel Hathaway

HamelinFor the second recital in its 2017 Concert Series, the Cleveland International Piano Competition presented Marc-André Hamelin at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Tuesday evening, March 21. The Montréal-born pianist gave outstanding performances of works by Haydn, Feinberg, Beethoven, Scriabin, and Chopin that could teach future competition contestants a lot about how to prick up the ears of juries and audiences. [Read more…]

Cleveland International Piano Competition Concert Series: catching up with Marc-André Hamelin

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by Daniel Hathaway

Hamelin-MarcAndreMontréal-born pianist Marc-André Hamelin will play a recital on the Cleveland International Piano Competition Concert Series at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Tuesday, March 21 at 8:00 pm. His first local recital since 2010 includes sonatas by Haydn, Beethoven, Scriabin, and Chopin, in addition to works by a lesser-known Russian composer, Samuel Feinberg.

I reached the affable pianist-composer by telephone at his home in Boston to ask about his current activities, and to collect some insights into his Cleveland program.

Daniel Hathaway: You’re having a very busy year that includes an extensive tour with Leif-Ove Andsnes, serving on the jury of the Van Cliburn Competition — for which you’ve written a required piece — and performances of one of your compositions with the Pacifica Quartet. [Read more…]

Cleveland International Piano Competition announces its 2017 Concert Series

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by Mike Telin

Westhuizen“It’s all about keeping the fun going,” executive director Pierre van der Westhuizen said in a recent telephone conversation about the Cleveland International Piano Competition’s 2017 concert series — one of several piano-centric activities the organization is planning between now and the next competition in 2020.

Now that CIPC is on a four-year cycle, the Concert Series will take place every other year (in 2017 and 2019), with a Young Artists Competition in between (2018).

The 2017 Concert Series will feature the Westhuizen Duo (Pierre and Sofié van der Westhuizen) on February 10 at the Shaker Heights Country Club, Marc-André Hamelin on March 21 in Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and 2016 CIPC Gold Medalist Nikita Mndoyants on April 30 at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. [Read more…]

CIPC Gold Medalist Nikita Mndoyants to play first area recital in Hudson October 16

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by Daniel Hathaway

Nikita-Mndoyants-2When 27-year-old Russian pianist Nikita Mndoyants won first prize in the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition in August, he walked off with a handsome cash prize. Even more valuable, perhaps, was the rest of his award package, which included a future CD recording, a New York debut at Carnegie Hall, and three years of concert engagements and management.

Mndoyants will play his first area post-competition recital on the Music From The Western Reserve Series on Sunday, October 16 at 5:00 pm in Christ Episcopal Church in Hudson. The program includes works that helped him rise to the top of the Cleveland competition: Joseph Haydn’s Sonata in E, Hob. XVI:31, Franz Schubert’s Sonata No. 19 in c, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 7 in B-flat, Op. 83, “Stalingrad.” [Read more…]

All Piano Competition Prizes announced

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2016CIPCLaureatesAt the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 6, the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition bestowed the following awards.

Mixon First Prize
Nikita Mndoyants wins a cash award of $75,000 donated by Mr. and Mrs. A. Malachi Mixon; management services for the next three years; a New York Recital Debut at Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall to take place on June 7, 2017; and a compact disc recording on the Steinway & Sons label.

Second Prize
Knowlton Second Prize of $25,000 to Leonardo Colafelice, Italy
Presented by Karen Knowlton, with major support from Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Manuel and Mrs. Marvin A. Evenchik, additional support from Clara T. Rankin. [Read more…]

Cleveland International Piano Competition: final rounds with The Cleveland Orchestra (August 5-6)

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by Daniel Hathaway

WesthuizenThree-quarters of their final score had already been totted up when the four finalists in the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition made their last lap around the track at Severance Hall on Friday and Saturday evenings, August 5 and 6. Handsome cash prizes were waiting at the end, but appearing with Bramwell Tovey and The Cleveland Orchestra was its own distinguished reward. (Photo: CEO Pierre van der Westhuizen welcomes the audience.) [Read more…]

Cleveland International Piano Competition: conversations with the four finalists

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by Mike Telin

FourFinalistsNow that the four finalists of the Cleveland International Piano Competition have completed their chamber music performances with the Escher String Quartet, we had a chance to sit down and meet them for the first time in the Case Western Reserve University dormitory where the contestants are being housed. On Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6 the finalists will play their concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra under the direction of Bramwell Tovey at Severance Hall. (L-R: Leonardo Colafelice, Georgy Tchaidze, Dinara Klinton, and Nikita Mndoyants).

We first spoke with Nikita Mndoyants of Russia and Leonardo Colafelice of Italy.

Mike Telin: So far, what has been the most memorable moment of the competition?

Nikita Mndoyants: For me it was playing the chamber music round. It was a pleasure to play with such great musicians. And I am really looking forward to playing with The Cleveland Orchestra. [Read more…]

Cleveland International Piano Competition Finals: Colafelice & Klinton with the Escher Quartet (August 3)

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by Daniel Hathaway

Colafelice1How do you tell a great chamber music performance from an ordinary one? That’s what the jury and audience are asking themselves this week as the Cleveland International Piano Competition puts its four finalists through a chamber music round with the Escher String Quartet. [Read more…]

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