The Cliburn announces today the festival offerings for the 2019 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival.
The festival is a crucial part of the Cliburn Junior experience and allows the 24 competitors and 14 non-competing participants opportunities to engage with the local community and learn from some of the world’s top pianists and teachers through master classes, workshops, artist conversations, and community performances.
Highlights for our 2019 Junior Competition Festival include:
• Artist Conversations with Daniel Hsu, Rachel Kudo, Sean Chen, Orion Weiss, and Alexander Kobrin
• Community Performances at the Dallas Museum of Art, NorthPark Center, and Klyde Warren Park
• Individual Electives on college admissions, social media & personal branding, and building musical careers, and opportunities to read through piano duo and chamber music
• Master Classes with Alexander Kobrin, Gilbert Kalish, Anne-Marie McDermott, Alessio Bax, Ruth Reinhardt, and Orion Weiss
• Private Lessons for non-competing participants with members of the jury and Orion Weiss
• Workshops on stagecraft, performance practice, and building repertoire and programs
The 24 competitors will perform for a distinguished international jury, chaired by Alessio Bax(Italy), and including Phillipe Bianconi (France), Sa Chen (China), Angela Cheng (Canada), Valery Kuleshov(Russia), Lowell Liebermann (United States), and Aviram Reichert (Israel). Finalists will have the opportunity to play with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under the baton of dynamic conductor Ruth Reinhardt at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
Applications for the 2019 Cliburn Junior Competition are due January 10, 2019.
Tickets to attend the Junior Competition in person go on sale January 10, 2019. All competition performances will be webcast live at Cliburn.org
ABOUT THE 2019 JUNIOR COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications for the 2019 Junior Competition, as well as full requirements for candidates, are available at Cliburn.org and are due January 10, 2019. Applicants must have been born between June 8, 2001, and May 31, 2006.
A screening jury will select 24 competitors through online applications and video submissions, which will be 15 to 20 minutes in length and include one etude, one movement of a Classical sonata, and one expressive Romantic work. (Works performed in screening videos can be repeated during Competition rounds, but no works can be repeated within Competition rounds.) Competitors will be announced to the public on March 13, 2019. New for the second edition, 14 additional pianists will be accepted as non-competing festival participants and will have the opportunity to take part in master classes, private lessons, workshops, and other elective activities.
Competitors and festival participants will be housed at SMU for the duration of the Competition and Festival. All travel (domestic and international) and lodging will be provided by the Cliburn.
THE COMPETITION
The Junior Competition will consist of four rounds:
PRELIMINARY ROUND—24 pianists, each performing a 20-minute recital to include a virtuosic étude and one three- or four-voice Bach Prelude and Fugue.
QUARTERFINAL ROUND—14 pianists, each performing a 30-minute recital to include the first or last movement of a Classical sonata (some restrictions will apply).
SEMIFINAL ROUND—6 pianists, each performing in two phases. Phase I: a 40-minute recital (to include one large work of at least 18 minutes in length and a contemporary work). Phase II: one concerto movement with piano accompaniment (movement to be selected by the Cliburn).
FINAL ROUND—3 pianists, each performing one complete concerto with orchestra.
Please note that exact repertoire requirements are posted at Cliburn.org.
Competition Rounds will be open to the public; tickets will go on sale in January 10, 2019.
THE PRIZES
The first-prize winner will receive a cash award of $15,000; second prize is $10,000; and third prize is $5,000. All three top prizes will also include $2,000 scholarships, and community residency and mentorship opportunities with the Cliburn.
KEY DATES
January 10, 2019 – Applications due
January 10, 2019 – Tickets go on sale
March 13, 2019 – Competitors announced
May 29, 2019 – Opening Dinner & Draw Party
May 31–June 1, 2019 – Preliminary Round (SMU)
June 2–3, 2019 – Quarterfinal Round (SMU)
June 5–6, 2019 – Semifinal Round (SMU)
June 8, 2019 – Final Round and Awards Ceremony (Meyerson)
