The History of Hearing Your Favorite Tunes on the Piano
Guest blog post by music historian and performer, Anna O’Connell.
This year at the Cleveland International Piano Competition will mark the debut of a new exciting feature: Piano Transcriptions!Read more
Piano Pas de Deux
An Introduction to the New "Two Piano/Four Hands" Feature of the Semi-Final Round
Guest blog post by music historian and performer, Anna O’Connell.
This year’s Cleveland international Piano Competition holds something very special in store: piano duos! This exciting new addition to the competition will provide semi-finalists an opportunity to be heard alongside their solo recital. Read more
Three Big Changes for the 2021 CIPC First and Second Rounds
This year’s competition has a host of exciting innovations to engage you, our audience members, in new ways. While the First and Second Rounds will look different from what you’ve come to expect, these three changes will bring you right into concert halls around the world to experience the artistry of our exceptional young contestants.
Remembering Visionary Honorary Director,
A. Malachi Mixon, III
Piano Cleveland joins the arts community in mourning the passing of A. Malachi Mixon, III, a beloved member of the Piano Cleveland family and visionary supporter of the Cleveland International Piano Competition.
Mal’s involvement with the Cleveland International Piano Competition began in 2004, when he approached then-Executive Director Karen Knowlton about how to solidify CIPC’s reputation as one of the best competitions in the world. From these discussions came the Mixon First Prize of $50,000. As she remembers, “This incredible generosity placed Cleveland among the top prizes worldwide and immediately helped attract national attention and an ever-widening pool of talented pianists.” After awarding this prize for several competitions, Mal and Barbara increased their commitment to $75,000 in 2016, ensuring that the Mixon First Prize would remain one of the top prizes around the world.
“There are few people who so significantly contributed to the transformation of an artistic organization and carried it to new heights,” said Yaron Kohlberg, President of Piano Cleveland. “Mal Mixon achieved this rare feat by virtue of his vision and generosity, helping to make Cleveland an internationally renowned Competition and a center of excellence.”
The Mixon First Prize was only one part of Mal’s vision to uplift Cleveland as the preeminent classical piano capital of the world. As a true pioneer in the Cleveland arts scene, Mal’s leadership inspired music leaders around the region to strive for artistic greatness both for their organizations and for the city as a whole.
“Mal had a tremendous impact on me on a personal and professional level,” said Pierre van der Westhuizen, CIPC Director Emeritus and current Director of The Gilmore Keyboard Festival and Awards. “He challenged and encouraged me to grow as an entrepreneur, and constantly sought out ways to make Cleveland a focus of the piano world. His legacy goes far beyond the First Prize (which he even increased and extended in my time at the competition) – his vision for what that could mean for the organization and the artistic community in Cleveland and around the world is something that will be celebrated for many years to come. He was a true trailblazer in everything he did and got involved with.”
Indeed, Mal’s dedication to sustaining the Competition’s partnership with The Cleveland Orchestra – alongside his work in developing the Bravo Piano Gala at Severance Hall – ensured that Cleveland audiences could celebrate the incredible artistry of these young pianists, and further elevated CIPC as one of the most important competitions on the international scene.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Barbara and to the entire family and hope that they will take some comfort in the fact that many pianists who got their start here in Cleveland have thrilled audiences worldwide,” said Knowlton. “And those amazing pianists got their start here because of Mal’s generosity and vision, and we shall all always be grateful.”
5 Things to Expect from Our First Virtual Competition
Want to watch? Go to our homepage, pianocleveland.org/. All sessions begin at 7 pm EDT, and are rebroadcast the next day at 7 am EDT and 2 pm EDT. When you get to our website, click the ”play” button and the stream will start when the broadcast begins.
As many of you know, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all live musical performances to be cancelled for the foreseeable future. While this meant that we had to postpone our beloved Cleveland International Piano Competition to 2021, we wanted to create an event this summer that would allow young pianists the opportunity to perform, win prizes AND provide incredible musical experiences for our global audience.
As a result, we came up with Virtu(al)oso, an online global piano competition that does not require long-distance travel for our contestants, but still celebrates the incredible artistry of these young musicians.
Our tagline, “a global competition for artist relief,” comes from our commitment to supporting artists during these challenging times. To signify this commitment, we have intentionally distributed prize money for Virtu(al)oso more equally than in traditional competitions. This structure allows us to provide financial relief to all participants, many of whom have likely lost months of income due to cancelled performances.
And, for the first time in any piano competition, we are encouraging our audience members (who are able) to provide additional financial support for our contestants. Audience members will be able to donate to our Contestant Fund to support all contestant prizes or may choose to donate directly towards the prize of a specific performer.
Virtu(al)oso is our first-ever online piano competition, and we know that you may have a lot of questions. So here are five things you can expect when watching Virtu(al)oso.
1. Breathtaking musical performances by the world’s best emerging pianists
Like the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Virtu(al)oso will present young musicians of the highest artistic caliber. Our esteemed screening jury selected these 30 pianists from an impressive 158 applicants, a rigorous process that guarantees the incredible level of the competition.
Again similar to CIPC, our contestants are from all over the world - 18 countries total. How did we do that during the pandemic, you may ask? Well, we are very grateful to be partnering artistically with Steinway & Sons, who have been longtime supporters of Piano Cleveland. Steinway has graciously provided pianos and spaces in Cleveland, New York, London, Hamburg, and Beijing for our chosen contestants to pre-record their competition performances. As a result, our contestants do not have to risk traveling significant distances to participate. Our full health and safety guidelines can be found here.
Our 30 contestants have chosen a wide diversity of repertoire to perform – from well-known pieces by Bach, Rachmaninoff and Beethoven to lesser known works by Florence Price. Some are even performing their own compositions!
You will be able to watch all of their First Round performances from July 30 – August 4 at 7pm EDT on the homepage of pianocleveland.org/ or on our Facebook page. The Final Round of six pianists will be broadcast on August 7 and 8 at 7pm EDT.
2. Exceptional audio-video quality
We are thrilled to be working with Mark Dumm as our Video Production Director. A violinist with The Cleveland Orchestra and long-time partner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Mark brings his extensive experience in recording previous competitions and many classical music performances to bear on this new virtual project.
In addition to personally recording contestant performances in our Cleveland location, Mark is overseeing a team of recording engineers in New York, London, Hamburg, and Beijing, respectively, all of whom share a wealth of experience in the piano recording world. Through Mark’s guidance, each engineer will be using the same camera angles, number of cameras, and equivalent-level equipment to ensure both the highest quality and equity across all five locations.
3. The chance to support our contestants
We know that many of our audience members want to be able to support musicians during these particularly challenging times. Virtu(al)oso is unique in providing audience members with an opportunity to financially support their favorite contestant(s) during a competition. If you have a favorite contestant or are moved by a performance, you’ll be able to donate directly towards their prize, thereby increasing the amount that they may receive at the end of the competition. You can donate to your favorite contestant through their contestant page, or by clicking their name on our donate page here.
In addition to supporting our contestants financially, you will be able to send well-wishes or congratulations to contestants right from the streaming page on our website. Plus, you can vote for your favorite finalists to win the Audience Prize. Voting will be available on our website during the Final Round on August 7 and 8.
4. Get to know our jury and contestants – virtually
We know that it can be hard to feel connected to our contestants and each other through this unfamiliar virtual format. But you can expect many ways to stay connected throughout the competition, even if we can’t be physically together.
First, each broadcast will feature short videos to get to know our contestants and jurors in their own words. Contestants will share about their passion for piano and a bit about their program before their performances. During intermission, you will learn more about our incredible jury and be treated to engaging musical facts by the presenter of Living the Classical Life and our good friend, Zsolt Bognar.
And be sure to follow us on Facebook (@pianocleveland) and Instagram (@piano_cleveland) for more fun facts (and fun photos!) from our contestants.
5. Fun surrounding events for the whole family
Like our big competition, we have created some engaging (virtual) surrounding events for Virtu(al)oso that we hope you can join us for. These include:
- Virtu(al) PianoKids – Thursday, July 16 – Wednesday, August 5 at 11:30 am EDT
Join Admiral Emily and Captain Joe for a musical world tour! Through nine short videos, children (ages 3-8) will be introduced to core musical concepts through a global tour of our partner locations. There will be listening, crafting, dancing, and fun for the whole family. Click here to learn more. Be sure to tune in for our LIVE celebration on Wednesday, August 5 at 11:30 am EDT - Opening Ceremony – Wednesday, July 29 at 7 pm EDT
Zsolt Bognar and Yaron Kohlberg will host an exciting opening ceremony that introduces our contestants and brings well-wishes from pianists, music leaders, and celebrities around the world. The ceremony will also feature a special performance by pianist Omri Mor. - Awards Ceremony – Sunday, August 9 at 7 pm EDT
You won’t want to miss the big announcement of our winners, as they’ll be performing encore pieces recorded especially for the ceremony! - Jury Roundtable – Saturday, August 15 at 11 am EDT
Five of our six illustrious jury members will join in conversation with Yaron to discuss their experience judging in a virtual competition, their advice for developing pianists, and the future of the performing arts in these challenging times. Click here for more information.
We are looking forward to (virtually) seeing many of you at Virtu(al)oso!
Have more questions? Feel free to email info@pianocleveland.org and we would be happy to get back to you.
Hello! We're Piano Cleveland.
We present the Cleveland International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. It's nice to meet you!
You're probably wondering who we are. So, we've put together a short FAQ to share a bit about our new identity.Read more
Director of Operations Crystal Carlson Honored by Musical America
Crystal Carlson, Director of Operations, is among 30 individuals nationwide named as Musical America magazine’s 2019 Professionals of the Year. This honor recognizes “the often behind-the-scenes individuals who keep the performing arts alive and well and relevant.” With 14,000 performing arts organizations and 6,000 artists in more than 95 countries, Musical America is regarded as the definitive source for international performing arts contact information. Cleveland is one of only a handful of cities with more than one honoree--Johnnia Stigall, Manager of Pre-college and Pathway Programs at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), was also named. Both women have ties to CIM.
Carlson grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, and became a singer by accident in a very literal sense—at age 11, she was in a car accident with her father. As she recollects, “I was injured enough that I had to give up playing soccer and dancing, which were my two passions at the time. My dad saw that. One day he said to me ‘I’ve heard you sing in the shower and you’re not that bad. Why don’t we look into voice lessons?’” Her first voice teacher was immediately impressed with Carlson’s natural ability. A reaction that “delighted” the 11-year-old. She adds, “I sang at a senior living center almost the next day, and their reaction gave me the bug.”
At age 14, she saw a live production of Don Giovanni. “That’s when I turned to opera,” she says. “That’s when I started being more serious about classical music.” She majored in Voice at Capital University in Columbus and, at the suggestion of her undergraduate voice teacher, came to Cleveland in 2007 to study at CIM. After earning a Professional Studies certificate in Vocal Performance from CIM, she had dreams of being a performer but notes “I knew I still wanted to be within the music industry, even if I wasn’t performing. I saw this job. Even though it was supposed to be temporary, I wanted to see what it was like to work behind the scenes. It turned out that I absolutely loved it. I wasn’t supposed to be here at the 2011 competition, but because of the changes and the work I had done, I was asked to stay. I’ve stayed and kept working and gaining more responsibilities.”
Carlson has become an enthusiastic Clevelander and sees this honor in the larger context of the city’s reputation as a classical music mecca. When she moved here, she had been told it had a strong arts community and found this to be true. “There really was a sort of renaissance when I got here in 2007. The city ended up feeling like home, which I didn’t expect. There are so many concerts everywhere, from the halls to churches to bars, there’s so much to take in. It’s incredible. I used to live in the Coventry neighborhood, and it was shocking that I could walk to three different performances from my home. Where I grew up, you’d have to drive 45 or 60 minutes just to get to one performance. I got all of my cultural experiences from PBS,” she quips.
The behind-the-scenes nature of her work as Director of Operations at CIPC makes the honor from Musical America that much sweeter. “The work that I do is very background,” Carlson explains. “It’s what people see because the event was a success but they don’t see on a day-to-day basis. It’s nice to be recognized.” She notes the award indicates that CIM “turns out well-rounded musicians. At one point, I thought that if I took a “real” job it would mean that I couldn’t perform. If you stay within the music industry, you can still have opportunities to perform. For instance, I’m an outreach performer with CIPC and a church musician. My training from CIM means that I get to utilize all the things that I love about music instead of being defined as one thing.”
Read more about Carlson, CIM’s Johnnia Stigal, and the other 2019 honorees in the December issue of Musical America.
Building the audiences of tomorrow on #GivingTuesday
You probably know that your support on Giving Tuesday helps the Cleveland International Piano Competition provide Northeast Ohio with two weeks of breathtaking musical performances. But did you also know that your donation supports a full range of audience programming and community and educational initiatives for all audiences? Highlights from our 2019 educational outreach programs include:
- Our ArtsConnect PianoKids program reached more than 2,000 students through programs at schools and after-school centers.
- Our inaugural Competition Preparatory Camp for Young Artists brought together 19 young pianists aged 12-17 from four countries for an intensive week of lessons, workshops, masterclasses, and concerto classes, culminating in free community performances around the city and a student competition performance.
- Our ArtsConnect artists reached more than 2,700 people through 123 performances at senior living facilities across northeast Ohio.
- Our collaborative free concert series at the Beachwood Community Center reached nearly 1,100 community residents.
Every time we introduce children to the piano, we are introducing those young audiences to the joy and inspiration that can only come from music. Every time we provide free performances, we are helping to enrich the cultural life of our community. Your support on Giving Tuesday can help us continue to build and inspire the audiences of today and tomorrow. Make your secure donation here.
Piano Competition Application Tips
The deadline to apply for the 2020 Cleveland International Piano Competition is coming up. As you prepare your application, here are some things to keep in mind:
- The heart of any piano competition application is the video. Strive for the highest quality sound you can manage (let your friend with the new iPhone 11 put that thing to good use). Your face and hands must be clearly visible throughout, but it's more important for the selection committee to hear you at your best than to have a close-up of your hands or face.
- Find a quiet space to record--a practice room at a school or conservatory is ideal (make sure there are no brass players practicing next door). Minimize all ambient noise: turn off phones and put a "Do not disturb" sign on the door.
- You should record your audition for the Cleveland International Piano Competition in one continuous video. Consider it a performance. You may take as much time as you need in between pieces, but the camera must keep rolling.
- Don't forget the repertoire requirements: one movement of a sonata by Mozart, Haydn or Beethoven and one etude by Chopin from op. 10 or 25. Once the requirements are met, the remaining time can be filled with the repertoire of your choice. You should have 20-25 minutes of playing time.
- Keep breathing and interpret the music.
- Give yourself enough time to upload your video--don't wait until the last minute!
- If you are selected for the Cleveland Competition, you may play your audition pieces in the first two rounds.
- The full application and application requirements are on the Cleveland International Piano Competition website.
If you have any questions about the piano competition application, feel free to contact us via email.
Good luck!
Four Pianos, Eight Hands, One Incredible Encore!
CIPC hosted its annual Encore! gala benefit on October 12, 2019, in the beautifully appointed Founders Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland. More than 275 guests gathered for dinner, drinks, raffle, and musical performances from past medalists Arianna Körting (2012), Jiayan Sun (2013), and Konstantin Soukhovetski (2003). CIPC President Yaron Kohlberg and master of ceremonies Zsolt Bognar started the evening with a special thank-you to Linda and James Venner for their incredible support of CIPC. This was followed by solo performances by Körting, Sun, and Soukhovestski. One of the most moving aspects of the night was hearing each of these artists talk about what competing in and winning the Cleveland International Piano Competition has meant to them professionally and personally.
After the solo performances, attendees enjoyed a collective performance by all three medalists joined by CIPC President Yaron Kohlberg (himself a medalist in 2007). And no event titled "Encore" would be complete without an encore. Emcee Bognar joined the medalists for a spectacular ten-hands, four-piano rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
Scroll down for photos and video clips from Encore! [fps_gallery id=10876]
Enjoy!