Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition 2021 dates confirmed

The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is an internationally renowned biennial competition for young concert pianists from around the world, attracting 170 applicants in 2019 from around the globe, 40 of which came to compete in Hastings during February and March.

Their prize was the opportunity to perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a two-night final and to win a first prize of £15,000.

The next competition dates are now confirmed to be June 17-26 2021 with successful entrants being selected from video auditions by a panel appointed by the competition’s president of the jury Professor Vanessa Latarche, who is head of keyboard at The Royal College of Music in London.

Professor Latarche joined the competition team earlier this year to curate the 2021 competition and oversee the audition process, as well as to preside over the international jury which she has invited to join her in Hastings next summer.

Professor Latarche said: “I am delighted that we have managed to re-schedule the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition to June 2021.

“So many of the world's musicians have had disappointment due to cancellations of events since Covid-19 began. Although they have become very adept at finding other ways of working, especially by video and streaming through social media, nothing replaces the thrill of live performance both for the artists, and the audience.

“The competition will provide a beacon of light for these young pianists to work towards, performing live, both solo and with orchestras to our audiences and my distinguished jury colleagues.

“I am thrilled to be working with Ian Roberts and the competition team to give the musicians these opportunities, and I look forward very much to welcoming them to Hastings, and to hearing them play in person in the summer.”

Managing director of Hastings International Piano Ian Roberts added: “We are delighted that we have the opportunity to work closely with our esteemed colleagues and friends at Steinway and Sons in the lead-up to and during our 2021 competition.

“Moving our competition dates to June 2021 enables us to provide a safe and secure platform for our young pianists to compete on whilst protecting our audiences and family of volunteers who give us their unwavering support during each competition.

“During the June edition of Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, we will provide enhanced performance opportunities for our pianists, including orchestral opportunities in both the semi-final and final rounds. Our partnership with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues in 2021 and we look forward to announcing further news about our exciting competition changes in the coming weeks.”

https://www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org

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