Day 6: Promenades and Finals

Piano Promenades

At 6pm in the Wisconsin Lutheran College reception hall outside Schwann Concert Hall, 7 Semi-Finalists gave their last performances of the 2008 PianoArts Festival. It was a relaxed environment and their musical expression was greatly appreciated by a crowd of onlookers and admirers.

2008 PianoArts Final Round

At 8pm, the final round began. Sean Yeh led off, just as he had the day before in the second day of Semi-Finals. His performance of Beethoven's 3rd Concerto in C minor was passionate and virtuosic. As in the first round, accuracy was sacrificed for the sake of the intensity he wanted to communicate, and there were ensemble issues with soloist and orchestra. The second movement had pedal issues as chords were not resolved - perhaps the pedal was held longer for the sake of acoustics in the big hall, but still it sounded muddy. That aside, Sean's playing was emphatic, direct, blazing and daring, and the conclusion was exciting.

Paige Chun Li played nearly flawlessly with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andrews Sill. She performed Beethoven's 1st Concerto in C major. Her clean technique and control of color and phrasing was magnified on the brilliant-sounding Steinway concert grand with a light-weighted action. Her musical expression was committed and the ensemble was wonderful. It was obvious that the orchestra loved playing with her.

Sejoon Park concluded the concert with a dramatic and moving interpretation of Beethoven's 3rd Piano Concerto. Although there were mistakes early on, it was a case of nerves that any pianist can relate to, and it never tripped him up. However, his rushing caused a problem for the ensemble particularly in the first movement. The second movement began surprisingly slow, but was carefully planned and beautifully cultivated. As in the other rounds, Sejoon's playing radiated musical beauty in the slow moments. The finale was invigorating and complete.

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Prizes and Awards

First Prize: Sejoon Park; $8,000
Second Prize: Paige Chun Li; $5,000
Third Prize: Sean M. Yeh; $3,000

Scholarship to the Mannes College International Keyboard Institute and Festival: Sejoon Park
Audience Communication Award: Paige Chun Li; $500
String and Piano Duo Award: Brian Chang; $500

There were no Wisconsin Contestants this year, so no award was given in this category.

Day 1: Registration, Orientation, and Refreshments

On Thursday, June 19, students and parents from around the United States arrived in Milwaukee for the start of the PianoArts 2008 National Competition. After registering at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and practicing a couple hours, contestants were summoned to the Helen Bader Concert Hall for a random selection of the performance order. For Sunday: First will be Choo Choo, then Yoshiko, Brian, Amy, Paige, Sejoon, Yi An, Sean, Alexander, and finally Hunter. For Monday, Sean will lead off, followed by Sejoon, Amy, Choo Choo, Yoshiko, Brian, Hunter, Alex, Yi An, and Paige.

After the drawing, contestants, their parents, and some host families were treated by the Prometheus Trio's thrilling performance of Schoenfeld's "Café Music" piano trio, a bluesy and showy piece, in short. The trio - Stefanie Jacob at piano, Timothy Klabunde on Violin, and Scott Tisdel on Cello - will assist competitors on Sunday in violin and cello duos and the first movement of their concerto. The trio has an active residence at Wisconsin Conservatory, and the individuals are outstanding teachers and professional musicians for Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Arriving late, I caught most of the trio's performance from the hallway. When they had left the stage, Sue Medford came to congratulate them and was surprised to see me outside the recital hall. She introduced me and hurried back offstage. I told everyone that I am in intern with PianoArts, that I will be writing about the competition online and will later try to publish a story, and that if they have questions, they can ask me. Later, when Yi An Pan's mother did ask me a question, I realized that I should have said, "Ask me, and I'll gladly ask someone else for you." Her question regarded piano practice rooms. Although Wisconsin Conservatory and host families provide pianos, the conservatory closes around 7:30 - much earlier than is convenient for contestants staying in hotel rooms. Fortunately, PianoArts is an integrated organization in Milwaukee. The Steinway Gallery's owner, Barbara Wanless, will keep the Wauwatosa store available after hours during the competition for practicing.

Perhaps having one central practice location would be more convenient. But PianoArts' involvement around the city is unique. There are events at a musical center (Wisconsin Conservatory Thursday through Sunday), at an Art Gallery (Charles Allis on Monday), and at a college concert hall with nationally praised acoustics (Schwann Hall at Wisconsin Lutheran College on Tuesday). This publicizes and promotes the arts in two ways: First, it brings top-notch classical piano music to a variety of settings. Secondly, it opens up the contestants to those settings and allows them to see different sides of the city. For many competitions, one may come to a city and never see anything besides the one building where it takes place.

Likewise, Thursday's reception integrated local flavor and offered competitors and their families a chance to see more of Milwaukee. Among the refreshments generously provided by Marguerite Alpers, punch, elegant shrimp wraps and tasty asian dishes were countered by Wisconsin turkey-brats, Usinger's sausage and cheese, and Sprecher Sodas. "Very Wisconsin," contestant Amy Lauters said with a smile.

Following the reception, those of us who weren't too exhausted from long travels and 4AM alarm clocks accepted complimentary tickets to see "Classical Connections" with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Uihlein Hall. The program featured pleasant Strauss and Mozart music, humourous and informative speeches by Andreas Delfs and Frank Almond, and an astounding performance by guest Gil Shaham of the second and third movements from Brahms' violin concerto.

From there, everyone headed to bed for sleep, or back to the piano.

Schedule of Events: June 20 - 24

2008 PianoArts National Bienniel Competition

PRELUDE RECITAL - Michelle Naughton
Friday, June 20: 8PM - Wisconsin Conservatory
"Michelle Naughton sets the standard for the competition to follow! There is something invigorating about Michelle's performances. This is a splendid opportunity to hear this superb talent in a solo piano recital."

SEMIFINAL DUO RECITALS
Sunday, June 22: 9:30am - 6:30pm, Wisconsin Conservatory
"Semifinalists discuss their music and perform piano and violin or cello duos with musicians from the Milwaukee Symphony and the first movements of concertos with a second pianist before the panel of judges. Discover young, talented pianists performing with Milwaukee's pros."

SEMIFINAL SOLO RECITALS
Monday, June 23: 10am - 5pm, Charles Allis Art Museum
"Semifinalists shine as they perform solo piano recitals and discuss their music before the judges."

FINALS & AWARDS CONCERT
* Tuesday, June 24: 8pm, Schwann Concert Hall @ Wisconsin Lutheran College
"In the Awards Concert, finalists perform Mozart or Beethoven piano concertos with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and PianoArts Music Director Andrews Sill. Don't miss this grand finale performed by young virtuosos, and see the beginnings of what may be significant careers of classical pianists."

* ALSO on Tuesday, June 24:
3pm CONCERTO MASTER CLASS in Schwan Concert Hall @ WLC
6pm PIANO PROMENADES - A final recital, in the WLC Arts lobby, for those not selected as finalists.