Tuesday began at several locations, with Joel Harrison at the Steinway Gallery for a master class with non-competitors, and at the Wilson Center with Andrews Sill and semifinalists working on their concerto. All met in Brookfield at the beautiful mansion of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, who provided a delicious dinner and social hour.
The Talim household is filled with music. Kai Talim might be practicing the piano, or the trumpet. His sister might be practicing the violin. Of course, they have lessons of all those instruments. When Kai takes a practice break, he likes to go outdoors to participate in a variety of sports, especially ultimate frisbee. (He says that he enjoys the constant movement of the players.) Whether he is playing on a sports team or performing in the youth symphony, Kai enjoys collaborating with others. Not surprisingly, he enjoys playing chamber music, as well as concertos, and has performed piano concertos with the Portland Youth Philharmonic, Rose City Chamber Orchestra and the Pacific Crest Sinfonietta.
The piano was Kai’s first instrument, and it is still his primary one. He began piano lessons at age six in
Kai enjoys playing his instruments for people unable to attend concerts, such as those in retirement residencies or hospitals. When describing what he would like his audience to experience, he uses a word others have used to describe his music, “sincere.”
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ABOUT MICHAEL
“I knew from a very early age that music, and especially the piano, would play a pivotal role in my life,” says Michael Stewart. “The piano gives me motivation… it provides an emotional and creative outlet… it has been a good friend…and it has taught me life skills such as being dedicated, patient, perseverant, and goal-oriented.” This has led Michael to excellence in piano and academic performance. He has been on the Dean’s List at the University of Utah since 2007, is a member of three honor societies, was valedictorian of his high school class, and has received several academic awards, including the West Valley City Mayor’s “Star of Excellence” Award.
Highlights of his piano awards include first prizes in the Utah Symphony “Salute to Youth” Auditions, the
Michael’s goals are to complete his undergraduate studies and earn a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree that will prepare him to teach as a piano faculty member in collaboration with other faculty, and to research and write about music. He further plans to be actively engaged in improving his community by working on projects with service organizations. Michael is currently studying at the
ABOUT FAN-YA
Born in
Through the years, she has won many competitions. The most significant was last March when she placed first in the 2010 Music Teachers National Association Steinway Young Artist National Piano Competition. Winning this award began the prior fall with state rounds. Shet won first place in the 2009 Utah Music Teacher National Association Young Artist Competition, then the South West Division. All competitions were in the senior division and included upper level college and graduate students.
In 2009, Fan-Ya also received other awards that include third place in the Aurora Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, first place in the Utah Music Teacher Association Concerto Competition, third place in the Beethoven Club International Piano Competition, and first place in the Snowy Range Piano Competition,
Among the many music festivals Fan-Ya have attended are the Bowdoin Music Festival, Paris International Summer Session, Aspen Music Festival and Music@Menlo. She has played in the piano master classes given by renowned pianists and master teachers such as Ivo Pogorelich, Boris Berman, Nelita True, Dr. Boris Slutsky, Wu Han, Orli Shaham, Jeffrey Kahane, Gilbert Kalish, Lydia Artymiw, and Menahem Pressler.
In 2008, Fan-Ya was accepted into several prestigious music schools in
ABOUT PHIL
A first generation American, Philip Kwoka was born in New York City to Polish parents and grew up speaking both Polish and English. Not surprisingly, Philip is especially fond of compositions by Polish composer Frédéric Chopin – an interest that led him to receiving yearly scholarships in 2007 and 2008 from the Chopin Foundation of the United States.
When Philip was in elementary school, his family moved to South Florida, where he began piano studies with Roberta Rust at the Lynn University Preparatory School of Music. After graduating from high school, he was accepted at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he is currently studying with Daniel Shapiro.
Philip says that he has an enormous passion for and “an insatiable desire to expand my knowledge of music.” His passion, studies, and disciplined efforts were rewarded in 2007, when he won first place prizes with the Tampa Bay Symphony Young Artist Competition and the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition. In 2008, he was also a prizewinner with the New World Symphony Concerto Competition and the Blount Slawson Young Artist Competition. .
Philip likes challenges. He has learned six concertos, has a very large repertory, and looks forward to the challenges of the PianoArts competition that includes solo and chamber music, as well as audience engagement that integrates speaking about the music and performing. When he is not practicing or studying piano repertory, he listens to a vast array of symphonic and chamber music. He also enjoys Florida lifestyle activities of skateboarding, surfing, tennis, and golf.
, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, he will perform:
Now a student at the Eastman School of Music in
His journey has included performing in Weill Recital Hall in
Tristan has performed in master classes and studied with teachers from several different schools of music. During the past three years, he has studied with Phiroze Mehta at
ABOUT DAVID
Music is an “integral part of my identity,” says David Yoshiaki Ko. His musical life began at four, in
After graduating from high school at sixteen, David attended a summer master class at the Universität Mozarteum in
In 2007 and 2008, David received scholarships from the Chopin Foundation of the
One of the reasons David chose to participate in the PianoArts competition is the diversity of the competition rounds that include solo, chamber music, concerto repertory, as well as speaking about music. He wants to change the impression that classical music is dry and pretentious by helping audiences to experience the emotions and thoughts of the composer. David is able to see the impact of these kinds of programs when he performs outreach programs, such as performances in retirement residences and in 2008, participating in the Peninsula Symphony’s program for children in grades four and five in the
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 13 in C minor, Opus 48, no. 1
FRANZ LISZT Two Études de concert no. 2, Searle 145
Gnomenreigen (“Dance of the Gnomes”)
SAMUEL BARBER Sonata, Opus 26
IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Sonata no. 2 in B-flat minor, Opus 35
I. Grave - Doppio movimento
II. Scherzo
III. Marche funèbre: Lento
IV. Finale: Presto
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She will perform her Duo, Concerto, and Solo recital on Monday, June 7 at 12:30 pm:
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Sonata in C major, Hoboken XVI: 48
I. Andante con espressione
II. Rondo (Presto)
JOHANNES BRAHMS Sonata for violin and piano no. 2 in A major, Opus 100
I. Allegro amabile
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Concerto no. 1 in G minor, Opus 25
1. Molto allegro con fuoco
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ABOUT YESSE
In a recent interview, Yesse Kim described her personality through reflections by her friends: fun loving, yet disciplined; emotional yet serious. Yesse, herself, says that she is “rational yet spontaneous.” When asked what she would like the audience to hear in her music, she said, “…passion, enjoyment, and maturity.”
Reflecting her personality, Yesse’s performances have been enjoyed in
After moving from
In addition to performing wit the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Yesse was a featured soloist with the
When Yesse is not listening to and performing the piano, she listens to jazz and lots of cello pieces, especially those composed by Astor Piazzola, Peter Tchaikovsky and Serge Rachmaninoff.
Andrew, age 20, is from Los Angeles, California. His Solo Recital will be performed at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, June 5:
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 17 in B major, Opus 62, no. 1
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Étude no. 1 in C major, Opus 10, no. 1
SAMUEL BARBER Souvenirs, Opus 28
I. Waltz (“The lobby”)
III. Pas de Deux
(“A corner of the ballroom”)
FRANZ LISZT Aprés une Lecture de Dante:
Fantasia quasi sonata, S. 161
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Andrew's second performance of a Duo, Concerto, and Solo, can be seen on Monday, June 7 at 3:50 pm:
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH/Busoni Transcription of Chaconne for solo violin from
Partita no. 2 in D minor, KiV B24
FRANZ SCHUBERT Sonatina no. 2 for violin and piano in A minor,
Deutsch 385, (Opus posthumous 137, no. 2)
I. Allegro moderato
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Concerto no. 2 in B–flat major, Opus 19
I. Allegro con brio
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ABOUT ANDREW
Listening to recordings of mezzo-soprano, Dame Janet Baker; cellist, Jacqueline du Pre; and violinist, Gidon Kremer inspired Andrew Kim to pursue a career as a concert pianist. When he was three years old, he began piano lessons. (Then he did not enjoy practicing.) As he matured and listened to performances by great artists, he discovered that music was a permanent part of his life.
Andrew says that painters, such as Marc Chagall, have also helped him to understand the beauty in a work of art. Through his piano performance, Andrew strives to create a work of art that is much like the painting The Taking of Christ by the Italian Baroque master, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Andrews illuminates his thoughts by saying that the painting shows great technical facility, without showing off, and has an emotional, philosophical, intellectual, and religious depth.
In addition to music in the piano repertory, Andrew enjoys the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, symphonies by Gustav Mahler, César Franck, Carl Nielson, and Serge Prokofiev, as well as Kindertotenlieder and Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen by Mahler, Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht, and string quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich.
What would Andrew like the audience to hear in his music? He responds, “The emotional depth, intelligence, and the cleanliness of my performance.” Andrew won the Sophia Guzik Foundation Scholarship Award at the
Benjamin, age 20, is from Rochester, New York. His Solo Recital will take place Saturday, June 5 at 5:20 pm:
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 8 in D–flat major, Opus 27, no. 2
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Étude no. 2 in A minor, Opus 10, no. 2
LOWELL LIEBERMANN Gargoyles, Opus 29
IV. Presto feroce
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Partita no. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826
I. Sinfonia: Grave adagio – Andante
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Rondeaux
VI. Capriccio
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Ballade no. 4 in F minor, Opus 52
JOHANNES BRAHMS Sonata for violin and piano no. 2 in A major, Opus 100
I. Allegro amabile
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 1 in C major, Opus 15
I. Allegro con brio
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ABOUT BENJAMIN
Speaking about audiences at his performances, Benjamin Hopkins says that his goal is for the audience to hear something that opens their ears and hearts and gives them “a new and unforgettable experience.” That is an experience that Ben has on a regular basis as an avid concertgoer himself.
Now living in
A highlight of Ben’s performing experience was the opportunity to play Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 16 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The Rochester Philharmonic League Young Artist Auditions presented him in this performance after he won their 2008 Special Award and Ness Award. Also in 2008, Ben won the first place prize in
A native of
Alex, age 15, is from Fairfield, Connecticut. He will present his solo program Saturday, June 5 at 10:40 a.m.:
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 18 in E major, Opus 62, no. 2
SERGE RACHMANINOFF Étude-tableau in D major,
Opus 39, no. 9
JOHN ALAN ROSE Sleepy Hollow Suite
I. Ichabod and Katrina
II. Van Tassel’s Party
III. Ichabod and the Horseman
MAURICE RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit
I. Ondine
II. Le Gibet
III. Scarbo
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LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata no. 21 in C major, Opus 53 (“Waldstein”)
I. Allegro con brio
II. Introduzione. Adagio molto – attacca
III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo
JOHANNES BRAHMS Sonata for violin and piano no. 2 in A major, Opus 100
I. Allegro amabile
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Concerto no. 3 in C minor, Opus 37
I. Allegro con brio
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ABOUT ALEX
When Alexander Beyer performed Peter Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no. 1 in B-flat major with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony in Klein Auditorium last November, the Connecticut Post wrote, “Beyer brought great vitality to this Tchaikovsky composition. If the energy was translated into kilowatt hours, the Klein would have enough electricity to light the stage for the rest of the season.” Alex is passionate about his music and believes that his interests outside music have helped him to become a better musician. He believes that playing sports on a competitive level, such as soccer and tennis, teaches discipline and the physical effort helps his endurance.
With so many interests, Alex has learned to be an efficient worker. He has won several solo and concerto competitions, and has performed with the
Alex is in the tenth grade and has been studying piano for nine years. His teacher is Yoshie Akimoto in
“I am very excited for the future no matter where it takes me,” he says. Although Alex sometimes dreams of becoming an astrophysicist, “I love performing music so much. It’s a chance for me to impact the audience emotionally. And when you think about it, that’s a pretty ambitious goal within itself.”
One day about 16 years ago, Stefanie Jacob casually wondered out loud to Sue Medford as they left an excellent performance by a young pianist, "Why doesn't Milwaukee have a professional-level competition for young pianists?" Sue replied seriously, "Why don't we start one?" Since then, PianoArts has evolved into one of the highest-level competitions for pianists, ages 15-20, in the world. Not only do the monumental expectations of repertoire and the level of excellence give this competition distinction; it is the professional guidance during and the festival that lasts long after the competition is over. At the welcome yesterday, Sue pointed out that PianoArts has 12 Semifinalists that are working with 16 professional artists, besides the numerous volunteers and host-families. The emphasis of PianoArts is to build complete, musical artists. As she said, the expectations are so high because "the concerto is a 3-movement art form," and because collaboration is something a pianist will do throughout his or her life, and because speaking knowledgeably about music to diverse audiences is necessary in the 21st century in order to maintain an audience. And this well-rounded sense of preparation goes further. Dancer and instructor Jane Pink will be working with each contestant about how to physically present themselves professionally and with ease on stage, not just at the piano. Wisconsin Conservatory's resident Prometheus Trio then offered some pointers on how to deal with other musicians. Pianist Stefanie Jacob and her husband, cellist Scott Tisdel, performed two movements of a Bach Sonata, then proceeded to discuss trill execution, balance, cues, and adjusting to tempo. Finally, the Prometheus Trio treated the audience with a movement of Shostakovic's first Trio, Op. 8 and the first movement of Mendelssohn D minor, Op. 49. Shockingly, Shostakovic composed his trio when only 17 years old. As Ms. Jacob put it, "It's much better than one would expect from a 17 year old." Yet, what could be more fitting at this competition than a work which is exceedingly more advanced than one would expect? She went on to demonstrate the main themes, built around ominous half-step movement, which builds to multiple exciting climaxes. It seemed to take into the Development section for the players to lock into each other's energy, which stood out especially in the Coda. As Jacob said afterward, the trio would usually end a concer with a big finish such as that one. But they were only warming up for the Mendelssohn trio - AKA "concerto with tiny orchestra." I even heard other orchestral instruments this time that I had never heard before, such as the trumpet (or maybe it was that cell phone back a few rows). They began intimately, with gravity. Throughout, the trio was well attuned to each member, maintaining a well-balanced sound and joining together for a compelling finish.
