The Honens International Piano Competition is a triennial classical piano competition held in Calgary, Canada that awards prizes in piano performance. In addition to monetary awards, the top prize winner receives access to a career development program that includes concert engagements, a recording, management, and a Banff Centre residency.[1][2] It is the world's wealthiest piano competition.[3]

Founding

In 1991, Esther Honens, a Canadian philanthropist, entrepreneur, and amateur pianist, created a $5 million endowment to host an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary.[4] She died shortly following the first competition in 1992.[5]

Competition format

Fifty quarterfinalists are chosen from a pool of applicants. Ten of these are chosen as semifinalists at rounds held in New York[6] and Germany. These are then narrowed down to three finalists[7] who complete for a monetary awards and a three-year career development program[8] that includes artist management, international orchestral performances,[9] production of professional recordings, and mentorship opportunities.

During the competition, contestants collaborate in performances with other musicians in chamber and vocal settings and concerto performances, in addition to playing self-programmed solo recitals, and participate in individual filmed interviews.[10] Juries include representatives of music management and the recording industry as well as active concert pianists.[11] Competitors are encouraged to showcase themselves and their own artistry.[12]

The competition has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions since 1998.[13] Steinway & Sons is the official sponsor of the competition.[14]

Festival

Since 2014 the Competition has expanded to include a festival taking place in a variety of indoor and outdoor Calgary venues each year.[15][16] The Honens Festival and Piano Competition earned a White Hat of the Year award from Tourism Calgary in 2015.[17]

Laureates

The Honens International Piano Competition named between three and five Laureates up to and including its 2009 competition. Starting in 2012, it switched to a sole Prize Laureate system.[11]

1992

1996

2000

  • Katherine Chi, Canada
  • Marko Martin, Estonia
  • Alessandra Maria Ammara, Italy

2003

2006

  • Minsoo Sohn, South Korea
  • Hinrich Alpers, Germany
  • Hong Xu, China

2009

  • Georgy Tchaidze, Russia
  • Evgeny Starodubtsev, Russia
  • Gilles Vonsattel, Switzerland

2012

2015

  • Luca Buratto, Italy[11]

2018

  • Nicolas Namoradze, Georgia[18]

2021

  • The 2021 Honens International Piano Competition was postponed until 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

2022

  • Illia Ovcharenko, Ukraine[20]

References

  1. ↑ Hilary Stroh (12 September 2018), Georgian pianist Nicolas Namoradze wins 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, retrieved 21 January 2022
  2. ↑ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  3. ↑ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  4. ↑ Stephen Cera (29 August 2018), Honens International Piano Competition brings the world to Calgary, The Whole Note, retrieved 31 January 2022
  5. ↑ Nowell, Iris (1996). Women who Give Away Millions: Portraits of Canadian Philanthropists. Anthony Hawke. p. 106. ISBN 0-88882-186-7.
  6. ↑ Vivien Schweitzer (9 October 2012), "Riding Into Carnegie Hall on a Masterpiece by Bach", New York Times, retrieved 31 January 2022
  7. ↑ 50 quarter-finalists chosen for the 2021 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, 15 December 2020, retrieved 31 January 2022
  8. ↑ "Honens announces semi-finalists for renowned piano competition | Calgary Herald".
  9. ↑ "Exclusive Interview: Pianist-Composer and Honens Winner Nicolas Namoradze on His Carnegie Hall Debut". 28 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  10. ↑ William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  11. 1 2 3 William Littler (17 September 2015). "Winning isn't everything at Honens piano competition". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  12. ↑ Holly Harris (31 March 2021), PROFILE: Nicolas Namoradze: 'Life Is Full Of Surprises', Ludwig Van, retrieved 21 January 2022
  13. ↑ "Calgary – Honens Piano Competition". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  14. ↑ Monique de St. Croix (1 December 2018), Sponsorship feud strikes a sour note at Honens International Piano Competition, The Globe and Mail, retrieved 31 January 2022
  15. ↑ Simon MacLeod (4 September 2019), The 2019 Honens Festival offers a spectacular balance of piano classics — both near and far, The YY Scene, retrieved 31 January 2022
  16. ↑ Kenneth DeLong (13 September 2021), Review: Honens Festival adapts, excels with the conditions, Calgary Herald, retrieved 31 January 2022
  17. ↑ damienwood (18 May 2016), Tourism Calgary celebrates Calgary's best and brightest with 54th annual White Hat Awards, Calgary Herald, retrieved 11 February 2022
  18. ↑ "Unparalleled Georgian pianist takes top honours at Honens competition". Calgary Herald. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  19. ↑ Michael Vincent (3 March 2021), Honens International Piano Competition Moves To 2022, Ludwig Van, retrieved 31 January 2022
  20. ↑ "Honens Announces Illia Ovcharenko From Ukraine as 2022 Honens Prize Laureate" (PDF).
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