Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
Encyclopedia
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition is based in Salt Lake City, Utah
and is the second largest piano competition in the United States.
The competition has four age categories: the International Artists Competition for pianists aged 19-32, the Young Artist Competition ages 14-18, the Junior Competition ages 11-13, and the Tots Competition ages 3-10. A Pre-Tots division is planned for 2014.
The competition is managed by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
, a non-profit organization. The Foundation hosts regular piano
competitions, concerts, and festivals on a four-year cycle.
as part of the Summer Piano Festival from 1976 to 1980. In 1978 Gina Bachauer's widower, Alec Sherman, announced that the name of Gina Bachauer
was to be given to the Competition in honor of his wife, the celebrated Greek
pianist who was popular in Utah, having appeared with Maurice Abravanel
and the Utah Symphony.
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition became part of the Utah Symphony in 1982 and relocated to Provo
. The competition was held every other year during the month of June and the Gold Medalist received a Steinway grand piano and a recital debut in New York City. In 1983, the Foundation was admitted as a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions
based in Geneva
, Switzerland
. Candidates from more than 40 countries have participated as contestants in the Foundation’s competitions.
More than 1,000 pianists have competed in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competitions and cash
prize
s totaling more than $300,000 have been awarded.
Other notable laureates include Armen Babakhanian
(1991), Mehmet Okonsar
(1991), Kevin Kenner
(1988), Vassily Primakov
(2002), Lev Vinocour
(2002), Luiza Borac
(1998), and Junior competitors Nareh Arghamanyan
(2000), Colleen Lee
(1993), and Rachel Cheung
(2004).
said "those chosen are considered the cream of the young virtuoso world. Finalists often end up being offered scholarships to music academies, moving on to classical music careers."
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and is the second largest piano competition in the United States.
The competition has four age categories: the International Artists Competition for pianists aged 19-32, the Young Artist Competition ages 14-18, the Junior Competition ages 11-13, and the Tots Competition ages 3-10. A Pre-Tots division is planned for 2014.
The competition is managed by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is best known for its Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, the second largest piano competition in the United States...
, a non-profit organization. The Foundation hosts regular piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
competitions, concerts, and festivals on a four-year cycle.
History
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition was founded in 1976 by Dr. Paul Pollei. It was hosted by Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
as part of the Summer Piano Festival from 1976 to 1980. In 1978 Gina Bachauer's widower, Alec Sherman, announced that the name of Gina Bachauer
Gina Bachauer
Gina Bachauer , was a Greek classical pianist who toured extensively in the United States and Europe....
was to be given to the Competition in honor of his wife, the celebrated Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
pianist who was popular in Utah, having appeared with Maurice Abravanel
Maurice Abravanel
Maurice Abravanel was aSwiss-American Jewish conductor of classical music. He is remembered as the conductor of the Utah Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years.-Life:...
and the Utah Symphony.
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition became part of the Utah Symphony in 1982 and relocated to Provo
Provo
Provo was a Dutch counterculture movement in the mid-1960s that focused on provoking violent responses from authorities using non-violent bait. It was preceded by the nozem movement and followed by the hippie movement...
. The competition was held every other year during the month of June and the Gold Medalist received a Steinway grand piano and a recital debut in New York City. In 1983, the Foundation was admitted as a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions
World Federation of International Music Competitions
The World Federation of International Music Competitions is an organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that maintains a network of the internationally recognized organisations that aim to discover the most promising young talents in classical music through public competition...
based in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Candidates from more than 40 countries have participated as contestants in the Foundation’s competitions.
More than 1,000 pianists have competed in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competitions and cash
Cash
In common language cash refers to money in the physical form of currency, such as banknotes and coins.In bookkeeping and finance, cash refers to current assets comprising currency or currency equivalents that can be accessed immediately or near-immediately...
prize
Prize
A prize is an award to be given to a person or a group of people to recognise and reward actions or achievements. Official prizes often involve monetary rewards as well as the fame that comes with them...
s totaling more than $300,000 have been awarded.
Winners
The Gold Medal winners of the International Artists Competitions are:- 2010XV Gina Bachauer International Piano CompetitionThe fifteenth Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition took place in Salt Lake City, Utah from June 16 to July 1, 2010. Rounds one and two were held at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center...
– Lukas Geniušas, Russia - 2008 – Aristo ShamAristo ShamAristo Sham is a young classical pianist and child prodigy born in Hong Kong. He has won numerous prizes and awards in Hong Kong and overseas, and has performed in several countries...
, Hong Kong - 2006 – Stephen BeusStephen BeusStephen Beus is an American pianist.-Biography:Stephen Beus began taking piano lessons at age 5, and made his symphonic debut at age 9. He won the MTNA National Competition at the high school level at age 17, and later won the same competition again at age 21 at the collegiate level...
, USA - 2002 – Cédric PesciaCédric PesciaCédric Pescia is an award-winning pianist. He is a dual citizen of France and Switzerland.-Biography:Pescia studied at the Conservatoire de Musique in Lausanne, the Conservatoire de Musique in Geneva, the Universität der Künste in Berlin, and the International Piano Academy Lake Como in...
, Switzerland - 1998 – Lori SimsLori SimsLori Sims is an award-winning American pianist.After winning the Gold Medal at the 1998 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Lori Sims performed throughout North America, Europe, and China including engagements with the NordDeutscheRadio Orchester in Hannover, Israel Philharmonic,...
, USA - 1994 – Nicholas AngelichNicholas AngelichNicholas Angelich is an American pianist.Born in the United States, he began to study the piano with his mother at the age of five. He gave his first concert at the age of seven, with a chamber orchestra in the United States, when he performed Mozart's piano concerto in C major, K.467...
, USA - 1991 – Gail Niwa, USA
- 1988 – Xiang-Dong KongXiang-Dong KongXiang-Dong Kong is a Chinese pianist. He was one of the young musicians featured in From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China....
, China - 1986 – Alec ChienAlec ChienAlec Chien is an award-winning pianist from Hong Kong.Born in Hong Kong, Chien earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at The Juilliard School. He was prized at the II Sydney and the VIII 1982 Santander's Paloma O'Shea . He won Gold Medal at the 1986 Gina Bachauer Competition, which led to...
, China - 1984 – David Buechner, USA
- 1982 – Michael Gurt, USA
- 1980 – Duane HulbertDuane HulbertDuane Hulbert is Grammy-nominated American pianist.Duane Hulbert received the Gold Medal at the 1980 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and also won prizes in the 1981 Leeds Competition and 1985 Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition.He has performed as a soloist with...
, USA - 1979 – Panayis Lyras, USA
- 1978 – Arthur GreeneArthur GreeneArthur Greene is an award-winning American pianist and educator.He won Gold Medals at both the 1978 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and the William Kapell International Piano Competition. The Washington Post wrote "For 99 out of every 100 contestants in a competition, playing the...
, USA - 1977 – Christopher Giles, USA
- 1976 – Douglas HumpherysDouglas HumpherysDouglas Humpherys is an American pianist, educator, and adjudicator.-Performing Career:Douglas Humpherys won the Gold Medal at the first Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in 1976, and has performed in Asia, Europe, and North America...
, USA
Other notable laureates include Armen Babakhanian
Armen Babakhanian
Armen Babakhanian is an Armenian pianist.He received prizes at the Leeds , Van Cliburn , and Gina Bachauer competitions. His performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Quintet along with the Takács Quartet at the XIII Paloma O'Shea Competition earned him the Chamber Music award. These awards...
(1991), Mehmet Okonsar
Mehmet Okonsar
Mehmet Okonsar is a Turkish-Belgian pianist, composer, conductor, writer and educator.- Biography :...
(1991), Kevin Kenner
Kevin Kenner
Kevin Kenner is an American concert pianist.-Biography:At the age of 17, Kenner participated in the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and was awarded the 10th prize and a special prize from the jury called Honorable Mention...
(1988), Vassily Primakov
Vassily Primakov
Vassily Primakov is an award-winning Russian concert pianist and recording artist known for his interpretations of Chopin.-Education:...
(2002), Lev Vinocour
Lev Vinocour
Lev Vinocour is a pianist from Russia, who currently resides in Germany.He began his studies at the age of 6. He studied at the School of Music in St...
(2002), Luiza Borac
Luiza Borac
-Biography:Born in Romania, Luiza Borac studied at the Enescu Music School for gifted children and the Music Academy in Bucharest, as well as at the Academy of Music and Drama in Hanover, graduating both with highest degrees...
(1998), and Junior competitors Nareh Arghamanyan
Nareh Arghamanyan
Nareh Arghamanyan is an Armenian pianist trained at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna under Heinz Medjimorec. She is best known for winning the 2008 Montreal International Musical Competition.-Biography:...
(2000), Colleen Lee
Colleen Lee
Colleen Lee Ka-ling is a Hong Kong pianist who won the 6th place prize in the 15th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 2005.-Biography:...
(1993), and Rachel Cheung
Rachel Cheung
Wai-Ching Rachel Cheung is a young classical pianist born on 27 September 1991 in Hong Kong. She has won numerous prizes and awards in Hong Kong and overseas and performs regularly in Europe and America...
(2004).
Critical response
Several members of the press have noted the high caliber of talent of Bachauer competitors. The Deseret News said "only the best try out for the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition." CBC NewsCBC News
CBC News is the department within the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on CBC television, radio and online services...
said "those chosen are considered the cream of the young virtuoso world. Finalists often end up being offered scholarships to music academies, moving on to classical music careers."
See also
- American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition International Competition for Young Pianists and Professionals with winners performing at Carnegie Hall, New York http://www.americanprotege.com
- Gina Bachauer International Piano FoundationGina Bachauer International Piano FoundationThe Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is best known for its Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, the second largest piano competition in the United States...
- World Federation of International Music CompetitionsWorld Federation of International Music CompetitionsThe World Federation of International Music Competitions is an organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that maintains a network of the internationally recognized organisations that aim to discover the most promising young talents in classical music through public competition...
- List of Classical Music Competitions
- Bakitone International
- Gina BachauerGina BachauerGina Bachauer , was a Greek classical pianist who toured extensively in the United States and Europe....