Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition is a piano competition based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the second largest piano competition in the United States.[1]
The Competition is divided into several categories based on age. The International Artists Competition is for pianists ages 19-32, the Young Artist Competition includes ages 14-18 and the Junior Competition features ages 11-13.
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.[2]
History
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition was founded in 1976 by Dr. Paul Pollei. It was hosted by Brigham Young University as part of the Summer Piano Festival from 1976 to 1980. The name of Gina Bachauer was given to the competition in honor of the Greek pianist who was popular in Utah, having appeared with Maurice Abravanel and the Utah Symphony.[3]
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition became part of the Utah Symphony in 1980 and relocated to Salt Lake City. 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. [4]
More than 1,000 pianists have competed in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competitions and cash prizes totaling more than $300,000 have been awarded.
Winners
The Gold Medal winners of the International Artists Competitions are:
- 2010 –
- 2006 – Stephen Beus, USA
- 2002 – Cedric Pescia, Switzerland
- 1998 – Lori Sims, USA
- 1994 – Nicholas Angelich, USA
- 1991 – Gail Niwa, USA
- 1988 – Xiang-Dong Kong, China
- 1986 – Alec Chien, China
- 1984 – David Buechner, USA
- 1982 – Michael Gurt, USA
- 1980 – Duane Hulbert, USA
- 1979 – Panayis Lyras, USA
- 1978 – Arthur Greene, USA
- 1977 – Christopher Giles, USA
- 1976 – Douglas Humpherys, USA
Other notable laureates include Armen Babakhanian (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).
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."[5] CBC News 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."[6]
See also
- Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
- World Federation of International Music Competitions
- List of Classical Music Competitions
- Gina Bachauer
References
- ^ http://orca.byu.edu/Reports/Journals/2006%20Final%20reports/HBLL/Yamamoto,%20Samuel.doc
- ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,640191545,00.html
- ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,640191545,00.html
- ^ http://orca.byu.edu/Reports/Journals/2006%20Final%20reports/HBLL/Yamamoto,%20Samuel.doc
- ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700238846,00.html
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2008/06/29/piano-winner-bachauer.html?ref=rss