With competitors from more than 40 countries, a record number of entries and two
orchestras accompanying both semi-finalists and finalists, the sixteenth prestigious Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition will take place for the first time in both Rye and Hastings from February 24 to March 5.
Hastings International Piano is delighted to welcome an international jury of hugely respected pianists, conductors and orchestral leaders to the historic south coast. Led by president of the jury Professor Vanessa Latarche – head of piano at the Royal College of Music, the jury includes Paul Hughes (UK) – director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Aisa Ijiri (Japan)– international pianist and Steinway artist, Stanislav Ioudenitch (USA)—winner of the gold medal at Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Diana Ketler (Latvia) pianist, festival director and professor of piano, Scott Dunn (USA), conductor, pianist and composer and Anthony Byrne (Ireland) international pianist and professor of piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Hastings International Piano is also proud to announce that a unique partnership has been agreed with the Royal College of Music to create a graduate orchestra which will be administered in Hastings. The Royal College of Music Prince Consort Orchestra offers music graduates orchestral training and paid performance opportunities during the concerto competition semi-finals and throughout the year.
Hastings International Piano is delighted that His Serene Highness Dr Donatus, Prince Von Hohenzollern, a great friend of Hastings International Piano has agreed to become the founder patron of the orchestra and we look forward to welcoming him to the inaugural performance. We are also thrilled that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will return to accompany our finalists during our two-night final. Steinway and Sons, the most prestigious piano maker in the world was recently announced as the piano sponsor for the next concerto competition.
With a first prize of £15,000, the competition in 2022 will provide twelve semi-finalists with the chance to perform a full concerto with the Royal College of Music Prince Consort Orchestra and six finalists the opportunity to perform a complete piano concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Competition entries were made by video audition only, via the competition website, in a move to enhance the environmental sustainability of future competitions. Earlier in November our pre-selection jury, led by our president of the jury Professor Vanessa Latarche made their final selections of which young pianists would be invited to compete at the competition live rounds.
President of the jury – Professor Vanessa Latarche says – “After the long wait, we are all looking forward to the upcoming Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition with great excitement. I am thrilled that my distinguished colleagues from around the world are able to be with me on the jury for what promises to be a spectacular event. We have much to celebrate in the live music -making of our brilliant young pianists, and I look forward to seeing you there in person.”
Managing director of Hastings International Piano Ian Roberts says – “We are ready to welcome the world to both Rye and Hastings this year in two wonderful venues Rye Creative Centre and the White Rock Theatre, in which exceptional music performances will be given.
“It’s thrilling to be able to present our audiences two orchestras during this competition, and also host a jury of some of the world’s most respected artists and professors, led by our eminent president of the jury Professor Vanessa. We look forward to welcoming old and new audiences alike in the UK and from around the world on our live stream broadcast on our website.”
The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition has evolved from its earliest days as part of Hastings Music Festival to become an internationally-renowned competition for young concert pianists from around the world, attracting 360 applicants from more than 40 countries for our 2022 competition via our video auditions, 50 of which have been invited to compete in Hastings.
To support the growth of audiences and educational outreach opportunities, Hastings International Piano produced the inaugural Hastings International Piano Festival, which took place over two weeks in February and March 2020. The charity also presents fundraising concerts with many of the world’s finest artists and ensembles, most recently with pianist Mitsuko Uchida and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Tickets can be booked via www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org.
Image Credits: Ryan Laity .