THE TENTH COMPETITION OF ESTONIAN PIANISTS

06.12.2024 – 06.12.2024
at 10:00
EAMT Great Hall

The Competition of Estonian Pianists is a long-standing event that serves as a starting block for local talented pianists. The event has its roots in 1968 and the most recent competition took place five years ago. Since 2019 we have seen a new promising generation of pianists eager to put their skills to test.
The competition enriches the piano community with skillful musicians and opens the doors of concert halls for the participants, all the while offering an overview of the skill level and current state of the young pianists in Estonia. The aim of the event is to energise the piano culture in Estonia and motivate pianists for generations to come.

  • Results

    The winners of the Tenth Competition of Estonian Pianists were announced at the Great Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre on 6 December 2024.

    The first prize was awarded to Fortunato Salvador García Piquer, the second prize to Yue Jia, and the third prize to Tiit Tomp. Finalist diplomas were presented to Piret Mikalai, Madis Sikk, and Sofia Khvichia.

    Special Prizes:

    MozartFest Special Prize: A concert on December 17 at Kadriorg Palace during the MozartFest – Piret Mikalai.

    Estonian Piano Teachers Association’s Future Talent Special Prize (€500) – Madis Sikk.

    Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Special Prize: A study or concert trip worth €1,000 – Tiit Tomp.

    Special Prize for the Compulsory Piece: €300 for the best performance of Jüri Reinvere’s “Night Picture with Zeppelins” – Sofia Khvichia.

    Pärnu City Orchestra Special Prize: A concert with the Pärnu City Orchestra within the next two seasons – Madis Sikk.

    Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra Special Prize: A performance as a soloist with the Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra within the next two seasons – To be announced.

    Tallinn Philharmonic Special Prize: A concert with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra in the next season – Sofia Khvichia.

    Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Special Prize: A performance as a soloist with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra – Madis Sikk.

    The first prize winner will also perform in the “Piano Art” concert series organized by the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and the Postimees Foundation in the next season.

  • LIVE STREAM

    The recordings of the Tenth Competition of Estonian Pianists are available through a consolidated link or by individual days.

    First Round

    29. Nov 2024 at 10.00-16.50
    Live Stream is available HERE

    30. nov 2024 kell 10.00-16.10
    Live Stream is available HERE

    1. Dec 2024 at 10.00-16.10
    Live Stream is available HERE

    Second Round

    2. Dec 2024 at 10.00
    Live Stream is available HERE

    3. Dec 2024 at 10.00
    Live Stream is available HERE

    FINALS

    5. Dec 2024 at 19.00
    Live Stream is available HERE

    6. Dec 2024 at 19.00
    Live Stream is available HERE

  • Time schedule

    5. December 19.00

    Piret Mikalai
    Fortunato Salvador García Piquer
    Madis Sikk

    Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor Arvo Volmer

    6. December 19.00

    Tiit Tomp
    Sofia Khvichia
    Yue Jia

    Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor Arvo Volmer

    2. December 10.00
    Second Round

    10.00-11.00 Piret Mikalai
    ~11.00-12.00 Fortunato Salvador García Piquer

    Break 15 min 

    12.15-13.15 Mariam Mikeltadze

    Break 2 h

    15.15 – 16.15 Maksym Trotsenko
    ~16.15 – 17.15 Madis Sikk

    Break 30 min

    17.45 – 18.45 Hyewon Chung
    ~18.45 – 19.45 Sven Sander Šestakov

    3. December  10.00
    Second Round

    10.00-11.00 Karl Johan Nutt
    ~11.00-12.00 Viola Asoskova

    Break 30 min 

    12.30-13.30 Tiit Tomp

    Break 1,5 h

    15.00 – 16.00 Sofia Khvichia
    16.10 – 17.00 Yue Jia

    Break 30 min

    17.30 – 18.30 Helina Kukk

     

    29 November 10.00
    First Round

    10.00-10.40 Piret Mikalai
    ~10.40-11.20 Fortunato Salvador García Piquer
    ~11.20-12.00 Mariam Mikeltadze

    Intermission 30min

    12.30-13.10 Aitana Avilés Marín
    ~13.10-13.50 Maksym Trotsenko

    Intermission 1,5h

    15.30-16.10 Madis Sikk
    ~16.10-16.50 Kyoi Kim

    30 November 10.00
    First Round

    10.00-10.40 Angelica Araceli Sanchez Valdespino
    ~10.40-11.20 Mai Ots
    ~11.20-12.00 Hyewon Chung

    Intermission 30 min

    12.30-13.10 Sven Sander Šestakov
    ~13.10-13.50 Stefan Ilves

    Intermission 1,5h

    15.30-16.10 Karl Johan Nutt

    1 December 10:00
    First Round

    10.00-10.40 Viola Asoskova
    ~10.40-11.20 Liene Nitiša
    ~11.20-12.00 Tiit Tomp

    Intermission 30 min

    12.30-13.10 Sofia Khvichia
    ~13.10-13.50 Yue Jia

    Intermission 1,5h

    15.30-16.10 Helina Kukk

    All rounds take place at the Great Hall of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

  • Competion structure

    I round
    Consists of polyphony, a classical large form and etudes, allowing the participants to demonstrate their range as musicians.

    II round
    In addition to the compulsory piece, the competition participants will perform music in at least two different styles. The musicians are free to assemble their own repertoire that allows them to express their musical nature.

    III round
    The final round includes the accompaniment of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, allowing the six finalists to perform a piano concerto with the orchestra.

  • Repertoire

    First round (maximum 40 minutes)
    a)
     A prelude and fugue by Bach, Shostakovich or Schedrin, or Interludium and Fuga by Hindemith
    b) A sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
    c) Two études as follows:
    1) Chopin (except Op. posth, Op. 10 Nr. 3, Nr. 6 and Op. 25 Nr. 7) or Liszt (except op. 1)
    2) A selection of your choice (except Chopin or Liszt)

    Second Round (45-60 minutes)
    a) A solo program with music of at least two different styles
    b) The compulsory repertoire is a commissioned work from composer Jüri Reinvere.
    The score of the compulsory work will be made available after the registration deadline.

    Third Round
    One of the following works for piano and orchestra:

    L. van Beethoven
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
    Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
    Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
    Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 75

    J. Brahms
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83

    F. Chopin
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

    C. Franck
    Symphonic Variations, M. 46

    G. Gershwin
    Rhapsody in Blue

    E. Grieg
    Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

    J. Haydn
    Piano Concerto in D major, Hob.XVIII:11

    A. Lemba
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in G major, Op. 2

    F. Liszt
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S.124
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S.125
    Dance Macabre, S.126

    W. A. Mozart
    Piano Concerto in C major, KV. 246
    Piano Concerto in E-flat major, KV. 271
    Piano Concerto in A major, KV. 414
    Piano Concerto in C major, KV. 415
    Piano Concerto in B-flat major, KV. 450
    Piano Concerto in G major, KV. 453
    Piano Concerto in B-flat major, KV. 456
    Piano Concerto in F major, KV. 459
    Piano Concerto in D minor, KV. 466
    Piano Concerto in C major, KV. 467
    Piano Concerto in E-flat major, KV. 482
    Piano Concerto in A major, KV. 488
    Piano Concerto in C minor, KV. 491
    Piano Concerto in C major, KV. 503
    Piano Concerto in D major, KV 537
    Piano Concerto in B-flat major, KV. 595

    S. Prokofiev
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16
    Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26

    S. Rachmaninoff
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1 (Second Edition)
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
    Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
    Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40
    Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43

    M. Ravel
    Piano Concerto in G major
    Piano Concerto in D major

    C. Saint-Saëns
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

    D. Shostakovich
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35

    R. Schumann
    Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
    Introduction and Allegro Appassionato, Op. 92
    Introduction and Concert-AllegroOp. 134

    A. Scriabin
    Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op. 20

    P. Tchaikovsky
    Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
    Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44

    E. Tubin
    Concertino (Kontsertiino) in E flat major

  • Rules

    1. The Tenth Competition of Estonian Pianists will take place from 28 November – 6 December, 2024 in Tallinn. The first, second and third round and the awards ceremony will be held in the Great Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

    2. The competition welcomes participants who are Estonian citizens, legal residents of Estonia and foreign students residing in Estonia. Alumni of the EAMT who have graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last three years are also encouraged to participate.

    3. There is no age limit for participants.

    4. The competition is comprised of three rounds. No more than 14 participants will be selected for the second round from which no more than six will be selected for the third round. The jury will comprise of 5 members from Estonia and abroad. Final changes to competition programs must be made before 21. October 2024.

    5. The prizes are as follows:
    – First prize: 3000 EUR
    – Second prize: 2000 EUR
    – Third prize: 1000 EUR
    – Three diplomas for third round participants: 500 EUR
    – Special awards will be awarded in collaboration with competition sponsors.

    The jury reserves the right to allocate prize money at their discretion, and/or to not award prizes. The jury’s decision is final.

    6. All rounds are open to the public. Entrance to the hall during participant’s performance is not allowed.

    7. All pieces are to be performed from memory except for the compulsory work in the second round that can be played from the score.

    8. The jury has the right to stop a performance if it exceeds the time limit or is considered insufficient.

    9. The competition reserves the right to record and subsequently release performances, take pictures, video record, live stream, broadcast and televise all rounds as well as the final concert. The competition retains all copyright to the performances, which are not subject to remuneration.

    10. Any jury member who has taught a participant in the preceding two years before the competition date will not participate in the deliberations.

    11. Participants will be provided with practice facilities at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

    12. Finalists will be allocated one rehearsal with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

    13. The performance order will be determined by a drawing of lots, which is obligatory for all participants. The performance order will apply for the duration of the competition.

    14. In case of illness (together with doctor’s note) a participant may perform at the end of the round, outside the established performance order. This new order will apply for the remainder of the competition.

  • Jury

    Aaron Shorr (head of the jury), Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
    Zbignevas Ibelgauptas, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
    Juris Kalnciems, Latvian Academy of Music
    Ivari Ilja, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
    Mati Mikalai, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre

  • Contact

    Email: hanneleen.pihlak@eamt.ee
    Phone: +3726675779