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 HERE30. nov 2024 kell 10.00-16.10
Live Stream is available HERE1. Dec 2024 at 10.00-16.10
Live Stream is available HERESecond Round
2. Dec 2024 at 10.00
Live Stream is available HERE3. Dec 2024 at 10.00
Live Stream is available HEREFINALS
5. Dec 2024 at 19.00
Live Stream is available HERE6. Dec 2024 at 19.00
Live Stream is available HERE -
Time schedule
5. December 19.00
Piret Mikalai
Fortunato Salvador García Piquer
Madis SikkEstonian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Arvo Volmer6. December 19.00
Tiit Tomp
Sofia Khvichia
Yue JiaEstonian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Arvo Volmer2. December 10.00
Second Round10.00-11.00 Piret Mikalai
~11.00-12.00 Fortunato Salvador García PiquerBreak 15 min
12.15-13.15 Mariam Mikeltadze
Break 2 h
15.15 – 16.15 Maksym Trotsenko
~16.15 – 17.15 Madis SikkBreak 30 min
17.45 – 18.45 Hyewon Chung
~18.45 – 19.45 Sven Sander Šestakov3. December 10.00
Second Round10.00-11.00 Karl Johan Nutt
~11.00-12.00 Viola AsoskovaBreak 30 min
12.30-13.30 Tiit Tomp
Break 1,5 h
15.00 – 16.00 Sofia Khvichia
16.10 – 17.00 Yue JiaBreak 30 min
17.30 – 18.30 Helina Kukk
29 November 10.00
First Round10.00-10.40 Piret Mikalai
~10.40-11.20 Fortunato Salvador García Piquer
~11.20-12.00 Mariam MikeltadzeIntermission 30min
12.30-13.10 Aitana Avilés Marín
~13.10-13.50 Maksym TrotsenkoIntermission 1,5h
15.30-16.10 Madis Sikk
~16.10-16.50 Kyoi Kim30 November 10.00
First Round10.00-10.40 Angelica Araceli Sanchez Valdespino
~10.40-11.20 Mai Ots
~11.20-12.00 Hyewon ChungIntermission 30 min
12.30-13.10 Sven Sander Šestakov
~13.10-13.50 Stefan IlvesIntermission 1,5h
15.30-16.10 Karl Johan Nutt
1 December 10:00
First Round10.00-10.40 Viola Asoskova
~10.40-11.20 Liene Nitiša
~11.20-12.00 Tiit TompIntermission 30 min
12.30-13.10 Sofia Khvichia
~13.10-13.50 Yue JiaIntermission 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. 75J. Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83F. Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21C. Franck
Symphonic Variations, M. 46
G. Gershwin
Rhapsody in BlueE. Grieg
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16J. Haydn
Piano Concerto in D major, Hob.XVIII:11A. Lemba
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G major, Op. 2F. Liszt
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S.124
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S.125
Dance Macabre, S.126W. 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. 26S. 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. 43M. Ravel
Piano Concerto in G major
Piano Concerto in D majorC. Saint-Saëns
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22D. Shostakovich
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35R. Schumann
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Introduction and Allegro Appassionato, Op. 92
Introduction and Concert-Allegro, Op. 134A. Scriabin
Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op. 20P. Tchaikovsky
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44E. 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