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Message from the Chairman and Artistic Director
The 2006 Leeds International Pianoforte Competition has received 235 applicants from 39 countries and 84 have been selected to participate in the First Stage of the Competition. After the First Stage, 33 competitors will pass to the Second Stage; twelve competitors will participate in the Semi-Finals and six in the Finals. Apart from the cash prizes and bursaries in excess of £75 000 there are also an impressive number of prestigious worldwide engagements including performances with many of the leading orchestras and at many national and international festivals. For the first time a tour of China is being offered which includes recitals in Shanghai, Beijing and Guang Dong. An innovation for the fifteenth competition will be a Gala Recital on Sunday 24th September 2006 at the Great Hall, University of Leeds, at 3pm, when the six finalists will perform some of their favourite solo pieces from their chosen repertoire for the first three stages. The Jury, under my chairmanship, consists of eminent musicians from countries all over the world and will hear over 130 performances during the Competition. The musical qualities looked for are: beauty of tone, fine technique, musical understanding, judgement, integrity, passion, rhythmic vitality, inspiration, artistry and magic. We are delighted to welcome once again the Hallé, under its distinguished conductor Mark Elder CBE, to accompany the finalists in their concerto performances. I look forward to an exciting competition this September and send my best wishes to all those involved. Dame Fanny Waterman DBE, DMus, FRCM Chairman and Artistic Director |
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 The 2006 finalists with Dame Fanny Waterman (Click on image for a larger version) |
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