In Chicago’s first major international music competition, The Chicago International Duo Piano Competition, which takes place June 8-11, 19 quarterfinalists from 14 countries are participating, including two duos from Poland – Aleksandra Furmańska & Paulina Kuchniak, also Mirosława Sumlińska & Malgorzata Findysz.
All contestants are competing for a $10,000 first prize.
Competition Directors Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem remarked, “We are thrilled with the number and stellar quality of all those who applied to the competition. It will be exciting to watch the competition unfold in June. All rounds of the competition will be open to the public, and we hope to create the atmosphere of a four-day festival for piano duos.”
Dr. Mark George, president and CEO of the Music Institute, added, “This is the beginning of a new era for Chicago, which is now becoming a destination for the best young musicians in the world.”
The Russian duo Vis a Vis (Rolina Grigoreva and Yulia Yurchenko) took the grand prize of $8,000 in the Music Institute’s previous Duo Piano Competition in 2011, held in honor of Liszt’s 200th birthday. This year’s expanded competition will award a $10,000 grand prize, $5,000 for second prize, and $2,500 for third prize. In addition, one of the winners will receive a professional engagement at the 2017 Chicago Duo Piano Festival, now in its 27th year.
The Chicago International Duo Piano Competition is generously supported by ITW – Illinois Tool Works. Additional support is provided by Steinway Piano Galleries of Chicago.
The 2016 Chicago International Duo Piano Competition will take place through three rounds of competition June 8–11, 2016 at historic Nichols Concert Hall. 1490 Chicago Ave. in downtown Evanston.
All passes are available at: http://2016-chicago-international-duo-piano-competition.brownpapertickets.com
Quarterfinalists:
Deux Coeurs – Japan
Duo Yanase and Kawabata – Japan
Bellani and Peroni Piano Duo – Italy
Sumlinska and Findysz Piano Duo – Poland
Duo Brakhman – Russia
Piano Duo Kim and Lee – South Korea
Albirex Piano Duo – Belgium/Lithuania
Furmanska and Kuchniak Piano Duo – Poland
Duo Amadeae – United States
Yordanova and Kyurchiev Piano Duo – Bulgaria
Duo Ping and Ting – Hong Kong
Hamos-Park Duo – United States/South Korea
Piano Duo Shin and Park – South Korea
Pianorchestra – United States/Canada
Klimova & Maholetti Piano Duo – Slovenia/Russia
Leine and Marshinina Piano Duo – Latvia/Russia
Dunamis Piano Duo – South Korea
Davidsbündler Duo – Russia
Vol Piano Duo – South Korea
Chicago Duo Piano Festival
Called a “duo piano mecca” by Pioneer Press, Chicago Duo Piano Festival (CDPF) was founded in 1988 by Music Institute faculty members and resident piano duo Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem. Its mission is to foster a deeper interest in the repertoire, performance, and teaching of music for piano, four hands and two pianos. The Festival includes an annual summer festival, a winter mini-fest, and periodic national and international duo piano competitions for youth and adults.
Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem
Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem, artists in residence and faculty members at the Music Institute, enjoy an international career as proponents of music for both piano duet and two pianos. The duo has appeared with orchestras internationally, including the Chicago Philharmonic and the Vienna Tonkünstler. They have performed in recitals throughout the U.S. and Europe. Recent concerts include a 25th anniversary celebration concert at Merkin Hall in New York, an appearance at the Gina Bachauer Festival in Salt Lake City, and two recitals in Odessa, Ukraine. Aebersold and Neiweem have commissioned significant new works for the piano duo, including pieces by Joseph Turrin and Patrick Byers. The duo’s CDs on the Summit label include Four Hand Reflections and music of Brahms and Schubert.
Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute’s teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall. For more information, visit musicinst.org.
(Music Institute of Chicago)
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