Honens competition returns with packed piano schedule
The Stampede may be Calgary’s best-known attraction, but for lovers of fine piano playing, this city is also the site for one of the world’s major piano events: The Honens International Piano Competition. Beginning in 1991 and held every three years, the competition has grown and developed to become one of the more important events of its kind, mainly due to the artistic quality of the winners, but also because of the value of the prize ($100,000) and the program for the future artistic development of the winner, valued at roughly half a million dollars.
The 2018 competition begins Aug. 30 with semifinal rounds that consist of 10 pianists competing for three spots in the finals. To make the finals, each pianist must perform an extended solo recital, as well as show his/ her musical chops in chamber music in collaboration with baritone Philip Addis, and Jonathan Crow, concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony.
Different from past competitions, the finals include a chamber component: a collaborative performance with the prize-winning Azahar Ensemble, a woodwind quintet. Of course, no career pianist can make it on the concert circuit without the ability to perform a major concerto, and the final concert includes three concertos with the Calgary Philharmonic, conducted on this occasion by Karina Canellekis.
The semifinals are held twice per day, at 12:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Providing a break before the finals, there will be a solo recital by eminent pianist Garrick Ohlsson on Sept. 4, and a concerto evening with previous winner Luca Buratto and Szymon Nehring on Sept. 5 — both at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Other events include the popular Bison Noir after-hours jam at the Royal Canadian Legion on Sept. 6, which will feature music by Calgary composers Allan Gordon Bell and Vincent Ho. There are also master classes for Calgary piano students with Ingrid Fliter and Alessio Bax. A storytelling event and a Xenia Concert rounds out the varied schedule.
For serious piano fans, much of the enjoyment comes in the semifinals, where the full range of different piano styles and approaches can be savoured. Few things are more enjoyable for a piano-loving audience than, for a concentrated period of time, to become a competition groupie and compare notes with other fans.
As on previous occasions, this Honens promises to be a full week of piano-based activities designed to appeal to a wide range of listeners. The quality is sure to be very high, and to win is a special honour. Further details about times and venues can be found on the Honens Competition website.