2025 CLIBURN COMPETITION: OFFICIAL ARTWORK ANNOUNCED

Posted on by Garrett Owen

November 16, 2023

The Cliburn is proud to announce the official artwork of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The signature design features “Chromesthesia” by internationally renowned, Texas-based muralist DAAS; the piece was originally commissioned for the Cliburn’s first-ever mural, painted in May 2022 at 113 South Main Street in Fort Worth’s vibrant Near Southside. The mural was a lasting gift to the city of Fort Worth and a celebration of the Cliburn’s 60th Anniversary.

Now the Cliburn is pleased to share the gorgeous piece with the world, prominently featuring it in all materials related to the Seventeenth Cliburn Competition, set to take place May 21–June 7, 2025, at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Applications for the 2025 Cliburn Competition opened on October 16, 2023 and will close on October 16, 2024.

 

Learn More about the 2025 Artwork

2013 CLIBURN FINALIST FEI-FEI TO PERFORM CLIBURN POP-UP CONCERT NOVEMBER 29 AT THE POST AT RIVER EAST

Posted on by Garrett Owen

November 1, 2023

The Cliburn is proud to announce that 2013 Cliburn finalist Fei-Fei will be returning to Fort Worth for a special Cliburn Pop-Up Concert on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 8:00 PM inside the Trinity Room of The Post at River East. Single tickets are $45, with tables of four available for $150, and each are on sale now at cliburn.org. Doors open at 7:15 PM, and concert program starts at 8:00 PM.

ABOUT FEI-FEI

Praised for her “bountiful gifts and passionate immersion into the music she touches” (The Plain Dealer), pianist Fei-Fei is a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition and finalist at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. She continues to build an international reputation for her poetic interpretations, charming audiences with her “passion, piquancy and tenderness” and “winning stage presence” (The Dallas Morning News).

Fei-Fei’s concert tours have taken her across the globe in concerto performances, recitals, and chamber music collaborations alike. Recent projects include artist-in-residence with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic with touring in Germany, a Carnegie Hall performance and tour of Spain with the New York Youth Symphony, debut at Lincoln Center with the Pegasus Orchestra, a 19-city tour of China with her Aletheia Piano Trio, and performances of lesser-represented repertoire such as concertos by Leroy Anderson, Florence Price, Clara Schumann, and Xiaogang Ye. Deeply committed to sharing her joy for music and connecting with communities, she also engages students and community audiences through frequent school and outreach activities.

Born in Shenzhen, Fei-Fei began piano lessons at the age of 5. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School where she studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree with pianist Yefim Bronfman at the Manhattan School of Music. Fei-Fei is also a member of the piano faculty at John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and teaching associate of pianist Yefim Bronfman at the Manhattan School of Music beginning in Fall 2023.

2025 CLIBURN COMPETITION APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Posted on by Garrett Owen

October 16, 2023

Applications are now open for the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, taking place May 21–June 7, 2025, at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, ages 18–30 at the time of the event. (Applicants must have been born after June 7, 1994, and on or before May 21, 2007.) More information below or at cliburn.org/2025-application.

THE CLIBURN PRESENTS FREE HALLOWEEN CONCERTS IN FORT WORTH AND DALLAS OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 4

Posted on by Garrett Owen

October 12, 2023

In the spirit of the Halloween season, the Cliburn will present free Community Concerts featuring spooky sounds October 31 & November 4, 2023 in Fort Worth and Dallas. More details are below.

The Cliburn is proud to partner with local festival and community organizers in the production of two free concerts featuring spooky selections and sounds of the season. The Fort Worth concert at Marine Park Stage, in partnership with Artes de la Rosa, joins in the festivities of Día de los Muertos; on Halloween, the Cliburn partners with Downtown Dallas for a series of special Trick or Treat performances.

Cliburn in the Community provides the experience of live classical music performance for free to a broad audience through partnerships with vibrant venues and organizations throughout North Texas. For more information, visit cliburn.org/community.

CONCERT DATES

Tuesday, October 31, 2023  I  4:00–7:00 PM

Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets
In partnership with Downtown Dallas
Performances will occur for 10 minutes each at every half hour.
Pegasus Plaza
1500 Main St
Dallas, TX 75201

Saturday, November 4, 2023  I  1:00 PM

Concert for Día de los Muertos Festival
In partnership with Artes de la Rosa
The Día de los Muertos Festival will run from 12:00–5:00 PM.
Marine Park Stage
303 NW 20th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76164

NPR’S FROM THE TOP GOES BACKSTAGE AT THE 2023 CLIBURN JUNIOR

Posted on by Garrett Owen

October 3, 2023

Airing nationally during the weeks of October 9 and 16, 2023, NPR’s From the Top goes behind-the-scenes at the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival with two broadcasts. Available on participating NPR stations and by podcast (details at fromthetop.org).

Hosted by pianist Peter Dugan, this two-part documentary-style episode of From the Top features 10 of the 23 pianists (age 13 to 17) chosen to participate in two weeks of high-level competition and intense artistic development at the third edition of the Cliburn Junior, held June 2023 in Dallas, Texas. From the Top’s two-part special reveals the personal journeys and backstories of these young artists in the midst of this incredible experience, as well as some of their groundbreaking performances.

The Cliburn International Junior Competition and Festival was established in 2015 as another means for the Cliburn to use its standing and expertise to encourage tomorrow’s great artists, to provide a valuable forum for them to express themselves, and to give them an entrance to the next step of their journeys. Key ingredients were top international jurors, the media and webcast, Final Round performances with orchestra, and the festival atmosphere, which included performance experience and artistic workshops—all put into place to make the program significantly useful for students with aspirations of being professional musicians. Learn more at cliburn.org/2023-junior-competition.

EPISODES

Listen to the episodes at the links below:

https://fromthetop.org/show/behind-the-scenes-at-the-cliburn-part-i-show-436/

https://fromthetop.org/show/behind-the-scenes-at-the-cliburn-part-ii-show-437/

Audio will not be available at these links until October 9 and 16, respectively.

Featured performances:

PART I – Airing week of October 9th

Eddison Chen, 13, from Kansas City, MO, United States, performing HAYDN Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI: 46 (I)

Zihan Jin, 14, from China, performing CHOPIN Berceuse in D-flat Major, op. 57

Alyssa Gabrilovich, 17, from Philadelphia, PA, United States, performing Ossip GABRILOVICH Melody in E Minor, op. 8

Zhonghua Wei, 14, from China, performing MOZART Sonata No. 14 in C Minor, K. 457

Tiankun Ma, 16, from China, performing SANCAN Toccata

Yiran Zhou, 15, from China, performing BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7 (II)

PART II – Airing week of October 16th

Seokyoung Hong, 15, from South Korea and Boston, MA, performing RACHMANINOV Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5, and RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43

Modan Oyama, 17, from Japan, performing SCARLATTI Sonata in A Major, K. 24

Jan Schulmeister, 16, from Czechia, performing DEBUSSY “La cathédrale engloutie” from Préludes, Book 1

Yifan Wu, 14, from China, performing CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11 (II)

Available Now—Anna Geniushene’s New Album Berceuse on Piano Classics Label

Posted on by Geoffrey Hyder

September 28, 2023

2022 Cliburn Silver Medalist Anna Geniushene’s new album Berceuse is out now on the Piano Classics record label. It features a collection of berceuses, cradle songs, and lullabies from 18 different composers, representing this traditional musical form across geographic boundaries, cultures, and eras. This deeply personal album also serves as a tribute to her two young sons Tomas and Mark, to whom this recording is dedicated.

The album (PCL10279) is now available worldwide on CD and through all download and streaming services.
The physical CD is available in the Cliburn Shop here.

Anna shares this insight into her recording selections:

“We remember, from when we were infants, these precious moments of being cuddled by our relatives who were always there for us. We might even remember their gentle voices, whispers, and breathing, and the smells of the place we were at that time. Once you become a parent, you are no longer the center of your own universe and have to concentrate all your resources on giving everything to your beloved children, particularly when they need extra comfort. So what can be more natural than a mother’s voice for this type of occasion? So we start to say something in a very gentle way, we may even sing some melodies, sometimes blending it with words directed and dedicated to our beloved ones. This is how the story of every ‘cradle song’ begins.

While designing this program, I was fascinated by the amount of this music which had never been recorded. My particular interest was in finding a way to promote compositions which could undoubtedly be named as hidden treasures of piano music.”

While competing in the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Anna was seven months pregnant with her second son, Mark. After three weeks of intense competition, she returned home to Lithuania, to her husband and their 1.5-year-old son Tomas, with the silver medal. Mark was born the following October. In the concert season since, she has embarked on a busy touring schedule, performing in top concert halls across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Her husband, Lukas Geniušas, is also a highly accomplished touring pianist.

2025 CLIBURN COMPETITION: JURY, VENUES, FORMAT, COMPOSER ANNOUNCED

Posted on by Garrett Owen

September 20, 2023

The Cliburn announces the major elements of the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, taking place May 21–June 7, 2025, at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Applications open October 16, 2023, and will be due October 16, 2024.

The 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition builds on the historic success of the 2022 edition, which was an outstanding embodiment of the Cliburn’s core tenets: enduring commitment to artistic excellence, the discovery of new artists, and the advancement of classical piano music throughout the world. It reached a record-breaking number of people around the globe, exponentially surpassing viewership and online engagement from its past editions. It has now become one of the most-watched classical events in history, with more than 40 million views on Cliburn channels across 177 countries—and immeasurable viral reach beyond that.

And it launched the careers of three extraordinary medalists. Gold Medalist Yunchan Lim has had a meteoric rise to stardom. In his first two seasons as Cliburn winner, concert engagements include New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orchestre de Paris, and Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw, and Seoul Arts Center (most quickly sold out.) His performance videos are now the most viewed online for some of classical piano’s most popular works including Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3, Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3, Liszt 12 Transcendental Etudes, and Mozart Piano Concerto No. 22, K. 482. Silver Medalist Anna Geniushene and Bronze Medalist Dmytro Choni have each set off on busy touring careers, with performance highlights including Washington Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center, Wiener Konzerthaus, Palau de la Música, and Elbphilharmonie; Lille Piano and Lucerne Festivals; top orchestras of the United States and Europe; and tours of Japan, China, Italy, and Germany. Studio recordings for each are forthcoming.

Widely considered “one of the most prestigious contests in classical music” (The New York Times), the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition exists to share excellent classical music with the largest international audience possible and to launch the careers of its winners every four years. Building on a rich tradition that began with its 1962 origins in honor of Van Cliburn and his vision for using music to serve audiences and break down boundaries, the Cliburn seeks, with each edition, to achieve the highest artistic standards while utilizing contemporary tools to advance its reach. Beyond cash prizes, winning a Cliburn medal means comprehensive career management, artistic support, and bolstered publicity efforts for the three years following.

The upcoming Cliburn FOUR-YEAR COMPETITION CYCLE will be:

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
May 21–June 7, 2025
For pianists 18 to 30 years old
Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU & Bass Performance Hall)

Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 2027 (Details to be announced 2026)
For pianists 13 to 17 years old
Dallas, Texas, USA

Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition
June 2028 (Details to be announced 2027)
For non-professional pianists 35 years and older
Fort Worth, Texas, USA

IMPORTANT DATES

October 16, 2023—Applications Open
Spring 2024—Premium Ticket Subscription Packages On Sale
October 16, 2024—Applications Due
Early 2025—Single Tickets On Sale; Screening Auditions Schedule Announced
March 9–15, 2025—Screening Auditions in Fort Worth, Texas USA
April 2, 2025—30 Competitors Announced
May 21–June 7, 2025—Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

ELIGIBILITY

The Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities. First-prize winners of previous Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions are not eligible to compete. Applicants must have been born after June 7, 1994, and on or before May 21, 2007.

Videos will be submitted through the online application process. Submissions must be between 35 and 40 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may be selected from works offered for the Competition recital rounds. Only complete works will be accepted. The video must be filmed with the pianist’s face and hands in the frame at all times.

2025 COMPETITION
2025 JURY
2025 ROUNDS & REPERTOIRE

2023–2024 Tours Announced for 2022 Cliburn Winners

Posted on by Geoffrey Hyder

August 17, 2023

Over one year after the Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, its three medalists—Yunchan Lim, gold; Anna Geniushene, silver; and Dmytro Choni, bronze—have completed their inaugural concert seasons and summer tours as Cliburn winners. They have performed in person for fans around the globe, and their Competition performances have been viewed well over 40 million times.

The Cliburn is proud to share their full tour schedules for the 2023–2024 concert season, below.

 

YUNCHAN LIM 임윤찬
GOLD MEDALIST
Cliburn.org/Yunchan-Lim

 

2023–2024 TOUR DATES

 

AUGUST 2023

18.  Festival International de Piano de La Roque-d’Anthéron, La Roque-d’Anthéron, France

20.  Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands

22.  The Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark

SEPTEMBER 2023

8–10.  Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

13.  Fundación Sinfonía, with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

17.  Eastman Piano Series, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, USA

21.  McCarter Theatre Center, Matthews Theatre, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

23.  Washington Performing Arts, Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Washington, D.C., USA

OCTOBER 2023

1.  Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Budapest, Hungary

8.  Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Radio France Auditorium, Paris, France

12.  Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Radio France Auditorium, Paris, France

NOVEMBER 2023

15–16.  Münchner Philharmoniker, Isarphilharmonie, Munich, Germany

24–29.  Münchner Philharmoniker, Korean Tour, including Sejong Grand Theater, Seoul, South Korea

FEBRUARY 2024

5.  Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Tokyo, Japan

15–18.  Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

21.  Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium, New York, New York, USA

MARCH 2024

1, 3.  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

6–7.  Orchestre de Paris, Paris, France

14.  Orchestre de Paris at the University of Michigan, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

17.  Orchestra de Paris at the Celebrity Series of Boston, Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

19.  Orchestre de Paris at the Maison symphonique de Montréal, Montréal, Canada

27.  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall, London, England

APRIL 2024

6.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Mendelssohn Hall, Gewandhaus Leipzig

10.  Societá dei Concerti, Conservatorio di Milano – Sala Verdi, Milan, Italy

26.  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

28.  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, Maryland, USA

MAY 2024

15–18.  Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Lucerne, Switzerland

ANNA GENIUSHENE
SILVER MEDALIST
AnnaGeniushene.com

 

2023–2024 TOUR DATES

 

SEPTEMBER 2023

3.  Imogen Cooper Music Trust, “Melodomia” Festival, Le Baux, France

8.  Tippet Rise Art Center, The Olivier Music Barn, Fishtail, Montana, USA

10.  Friends of Chamber Music, Rudder Theater, College Station, Texas, USA

13.  Fundación Sinfonía, with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

15.  Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts, CSU Fresno Concert Hall, Fresno, California, USA

17.  Fredericksburg Music Club, Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, Fredericksburg, Texas, USA

21–22.  Cliburn Concerts, Kimbell Art Museum Renzo Piano Pavilion, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

26.  Recital presented by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall, Shanghai, China

28.  Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre, Zhunhai, China

30.  Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China

OCTOBER 2023

2.  Changsha, China

6.  Altenburg Arts, Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore

10.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia, Cyprus

14.  Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, Scuola di musica di Fiesole, Florence, Italy

NOVEMBER 2023

3.  Gaida Music Festival, National Philharmonic Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania

5.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival, Bohuslav Martinů Hall, Prague, Czechia

12.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, BASF-Gesellschaftshaus, Ludwigshafen, Germany

18.  Pianomusik i Flen, Församlingshemmet, Flen, Sweden

19.  Piano Visions Festival, Pianomusik på Konstakademien, Stockholm, Sweden

DECEMBER 2023

10.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Salle de l’Institut, Orléans, France

20.  Organum Concert Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania

JANUARY 2024

18.  Waco Symphony Orchestra, Waco, Texas, USA

20.  Skyline Piano Artist Series, Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, Evanston, Illinois, USA

21.  Sound Ways Festival, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

FEBRUARY 2024

5–10.  Masterclasses & Solo Recital, Sanok, Poland

10.  Organum Concert Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania

22.  Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

MARCH 2024

1.  Kauai Concert Association, Lihue, Hawaii, USA

3.  University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

5.  Hawai’i Concert Society, Hilo, Hawaii, USA

APRIL 2024

7.  Vancouver Chopin Society, Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver, Canada

20.  Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Charles W. Eisemann Center, Richardson, Texas, USA

24.  Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, Florida, USA

27.  Washington Performing Arts, Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Washington, D.C., USA

MAY 2024

1.  Sanford-Hill Piano Series at Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA

8.  Weiner Konzerthaus, Schubert Hall, Vienna, Austria

DMYTRO CHONI
BRONZE MEDALIST
DmytroChoni.com

 

2023–2024 TOUR DATES

 

AUGUST 2023

19.  Kultur.Sommer.Semmering, Semmering, Austria

22.  Lucerne Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland

31.  Kempen Klassik with Frank Peter Zimmermann, Kempen, Germany

SEPTEMBER 2023

10.  Friends of Chamber Music, Rudder Theater, College Station, Texas, USA

13.  Fundación Sinfonía, with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

17.  Lied Center of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

19.  WYO Theater, Sheridan, Wyoming, USA

28.  Palau de la Música, Barcelona, Spain

30.  Edesche Concertzaal, Ede, Netherlands

OCTOBER 2023

7.  Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

13.  El Camino College, Marsee Auditorium, Torrance, California, USA

17.  Yavapai Symphony Association, Jim & Linda Performing Arts Center, Prescott, Arizona, USA

20.  Cliburn Concerts, TX Whiskey Ranch, Fort Worth, TX, USA

22.  Ukrainian Institute of America, New York City, NY, USA

NOVEMBER 2023

7.  Societá del Quartetto di Milano with Frank Peter Zimmerman, Conservatorio di Milano – Sala Verdi, Milan, Italy

18.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Konzertverein Schwerin, Schwerin, Germany

25.  Edesche Concertzaal with Julian Steckel, Ede, Netherlands

DECEMBER 2023

3.  Badische Philharmonie Pforzheim, CongressCentrum Pforzheim, Germany

JANUARY 2024

Tour with violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann in Italy and Germany, including:

16.  Teatro Verdi, Pisa, Italy

27.  Konzerthaus, Blaibach, Germany

28.  Prinzregententheater, Munich, Germany

FEBRUARY 2024

28.  Wiener Konzerthaus, Schubert-Saal, Vienna, Austria

MARCH 2024

17.  Oracle Piano Society, Oracle Center for the Arts, Oracle, Arizona, USA

23.  Irving Symphony Orchestra, Irving Arts Center, Irving, Texas, USA

APRIL 2024

13.  Edesche Concertzaal with Josef Špaček, Ede, Netherlands

MAY 2024

2.  Wiener Kammerorchester, Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria

JUNE 2024

4.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, NDR Kleiner Sendesaal, Hannover, Germany

6.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Robert-Schumann-Saal, Dusseldorf, Germany

7.  Steinway Prizewinner Concerts, Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg, Germany

CRESCENDO—2022 CLIBURN COMPETITION DOCUMENTARY— WORLD PREMIERE AUGUST 12 IN SOUTH KOREA

Posted on by Garrett Owen

August 10, 2023

Crescendo—the feature documentary that follows the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the discovery of sensation Yunchan Lim—makes its world premiere screenings this weekend at South Korea’s Jecheon International Music and Film Festival. Directed and produced by Heather Wilk in her directorial debut, the film is being met with early enthusiasm: the premiere screenings sold out in under two minutes.

AUD Present, the South Korean distributor behind arthouse titles such as Lamb, The Farewell, Moonlight, Mid90s, and Pavarotti, has acquired Crescendo, with plans to release it in theaters across South Korea this fall.

“It is an honor to partner with AUD Present,” said Wilk. “Their track record of sharing incredible films to Korean audiences is unparalleled. Our premiere in Korea marks just the beginning and we are excited to share our film with the rest of the world.”

“We are thrilled to work with the Crescendo team,” said AUD Present’s Sinae Kim. “As a distributor, introducing the great film is one of the highlights of our work. We cannot wait to see the audience enjoy and appreciate this special film.”

The film is now available for U.S. and worldwide distribution partnerships. Details on when and how to see it outside of South Korea will be announced later this year.

ABOUT CRESCENDO

Crescendo is set against an unprecedented backdrop of global geopolitics as 30 of the world’s most promising musicians travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the renowned Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Vying for gold and their shot at classical piano stardom, the contestants showcase their talent and voices through six intense, high-stakes performances, with multiple elimination rounds, a discerning panel of jurists, and audiences numbering thousands in person and millions online.

Behind the scenes, stories of adversity, sacrifice, and heartbreak drive the pianists to perform at the highest level. As fan favorites and early contenders are eliminated, one unassuming genius rises to the top.

Crescendo is directed and produced by Heather Wilk. It is produced by Red Entertainment and the Cliburn. Executive Producers include Red Sanders of Red Entertainment and Jacques Marquis and Maggie Estes of the Cliburn.

Available Now—Yunchan Lim’s Gold Medal CD on Steinway & Sons Label

Posted on by Garrett Owen

July 7, 2023

The highly anticipated gold-medal album for 2022 Cliburn winner Yunchan Lim is available now on the Steinway & Sons record label featuring the remastered live recording of his historic, complete performance of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes during the Competition’s Semifinal Round (performed June 10, 2022, at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, USA).

The album (STNS 30217) is now available worldwide on CD and through all download and streaming services.
The physical CD is available in the Cliburn Shop here.

The original announcement that Lim—at age 18, the youngest competitor—would play the entire monumental work for his 2022 Cliburn third-round recital “created a buzz throughout the international piano community;” and he delivered, with a performance defined by “intelligent virtuosity and total immersion into Liszt’s idiom [that] truly defined transcendental” (Gramophone). In addition to the ecstatic audience in person that day and the 4 million people who have watched it online since, the critics were universally enraptured: “Lim displayed mind-boggling virtuosity and interpretive depth scarcely imaginable in one so young. In the semifinal round, he gave as brilliant a performance as you’ll ever hear of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, containing some of the hardest music ever composed for piano” (Dallas Morning News). Now fans around the globe can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime concert for many years to come.

Final Round Concert & Awards Ceremony

Posted on by Garrett Owen

A look book of photos from Final Round Concert & Awards Ceremony of the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival featuring full concertos by Jan Schulmeister, Yifan Wu, and Seokyoung Hong with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Valentina Peleggi, conductor.

Visit Follow the Junior for the latest news.

THE WINNERS

 Bernice Gressman Meyerson First Prize
cash award of $15,000
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize
cash award of $10,000
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China

The Horchow Family Third Prize
cash award of $5,000
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia

Each finalist will also receive $2,500 scholarships that must be spent toward furthering their musical advancement.

OTHER AWARDS

Audience Award
cash award of $500

Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Semifinalists
cash awards of $2,500 each

Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan
Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China

Winners Announced for the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival

Posted on by Garrett Owen

June 17, 2023

After 12 days of thrilling competition at Caruth Auditorium at SMU and this afternoon’s Final Round Concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and conductor Valentina Peleggi at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the winners of the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival were announced on Saturday evening.

The Winners

 Bernice Gressman Meyerson First Prize
cash award of $15,000
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize
cash award of $10,000
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China

The Horchow Family Third Prize
cash award of $5,000
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia

Each finalist will also receive $2,500 scholarships that must be spent toward furthering their musical advancement.

 

Other Awards

Audience Award
cash award of $500

Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Semifinalists
cash awards of $2,500 each

Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan
Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China

Online viewership for the 2023 Cliburn Junior webcast topped 1.2 million views in 122 Countries, nearly doubling the 2019 Cliburn Junior total of 650,000 views.

Finalists Announced for 2023 Cliburn International Junior Competition

Posted on by Garrett Owen

June 15, 2023

Janina Fialkowska, chairman of the Jury for the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival (taking place June 8–17, 2023, at Caruth Auditorium at SMU and Meyerson Symphony Center) is proud to announce the three pianists advancing to the Final Round. The Final Round will take place this Saturday, June 17, beginning at 2:30 p.m. CDT, at Meyerson Symphony Center, where each finalist will perform a full concerto with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Valentina Peleggi.

Tickets to attend the Final Round in person are on sale now at Cliburn.org. The concert will also be streamed live and available on demand at Cliburn.org, YouTube.com/thecliburn, Hyfi.com, and Amadeus.tv (in China).

The Finalists

Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China

Final Round Schedule

Final Round Concert  I  2:30 PM

Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia – SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22

Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China – CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11

20-MINUTE INTERMISSION

Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea – RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43

SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION

Posted on by Garrett Owen

June 11, 2023

Janina Fialkowska, chairman of the Jury for the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival(taking place June 8–17, 2023, at Caruth Auditorium at SMU and Meyerson Symphony Center) is proud to announce the six pianists advancing to the Semifinal Round, which will take place in two phases.

  • Phase I (Wednesday, June 14): The six semifinalists each perform a 40-minute recital, to include one work written by a living composer and a substantial work of at least 16-minutes.
  • Phase II (Thursday, June 15): 6 competitors perform one concerto movement with piano accompaniment by Mikhail Berestnev and Anastasia Markina.

The Semifinalists:

Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
The announcement comes after tonight’s Quarterfinal Round concert was paused due to a fire alarm in the venue. Our last quarterfinalist, Modan Oyama, completed his performance tonight for the jurors only, and the jury then voted to select the six semifinalists. Competitors were notified of the results in person by Jury Chairman Janina Fialkowska and President and CEO Jacques Marquis.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Phase I: 6 competitors perform 40-minute recital to include one work written by a living composer and a substantial work of at least 16-minutes
Semifinal Round Concert 1  I  2:30 PM

2:30 p.m. – Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
3:12 p.m. – Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
4:12 p.m. – Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Semifinal Round Concert 2  I  7:00 PM

7:00 p.m. – Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
7:42 p.m. – Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
8:42 p.m. – Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Phase II: 6 competitors perform one concerto movement with piano accompaniment
Semifinal Round Concert 3  I  7:00 PM (followed by the announcement of the Finalists)

Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia – SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22 (II)
Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China – LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124 (II, III, IV)
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea – RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43 (vars. 18-24)
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China – CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11 (III)
Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan – SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22 (II)
Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China – LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124 (II, III, IV)

Official Statement Regarding Sunday’s Fire Alarm

Posted on by Garrett Owen

Due to a fire alarm in the venue, we have paused tonight’s Quarterfinal Round concert of the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival. Our last quarterfinalist, Modan Oyama, will complete his performance tonight for the jurors only, and that piece will be recorded and shared online for on-demand viewing. The jury will then vote to select the six semifinalists and those results will be announced in writing on Cliburn.org and across social media later this evening. Thank you for your understanding.

QUARTERFINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2023 CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION

Posted on by Garrett Owen

June 9, 2023

Janina Fialkowska, chairman of the Jury for the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival(taking place June 8–17, 2023, at Caruth Auditorium at SMU and Meyerson Symphony Center) tonight announced the 12 pianists advancing to the Quarterfinal Round.

The Quarterfinalists

Eddison Chen, 13, United States
Alyssa Gabrilovich, 17, United States
Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
Tiankun Ma 马天坤, 16, China
Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan
Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
Sizhe Wang 王思哲, 14, China
Taige Wang, 13, United States
Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China
Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
Yiran Zhou 周怡然, 15, China

 

Quarterfinal Round Schedule

Saturday, June 10, 2023
Quarterfinal Round Concert 1  I  2:30 PM
2:30 p.m. – Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
3:02 p.m. – Yiran Zhou 周怡然, 15, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
3:52 p.m. – Eddison Chen, 13, United States

Quarterfinal Round Concert 2  I  7:00 PM
7:00 p.m. – Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China
7:32 p.m. – Taige Wang, 13, United States
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
8:22 p.m. – Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea

Sunday, June 11, 2023
Quarterfinal Round Concert 3  I  2:30 PM
2:30 p.m. – Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
3:02 p.m. – Tiankun Ma 马天坤, 16, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
3:52 p.m. – Alyssa Gabrilovich, 17, United States

Quarterfinal Round Concert 4  I  7:00 PM (followed by the announcement of the Semifinalists)
7:00 p.m. – Sizhe Wang 王思哲, 14, China
7:32 p.m. – Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
8:22 p.m. – Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan

Order of Play for the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition Announced

Posted on by Garrett Owen

June 7, 2023

The Cliburn celebrated the start of the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival with the Opening Dinner & Draw Party,Wednesday evening, June 7, 2023, at the Bush Institute in Dallas.

The competitors and members of the Jury received warm welcomes from Cliburn staff and patrons. Speakers included Jeffrey B. King, Cliburn chairman of the board, Jacques Marquis, Cliburn president and CEO, and longtime Cliburn artistic consultant Buddy Bray.

After dinner, Jacques Marquis, Dr. Sam Holland, dean of the SMU Meadows School of the Arts, and Kim Noltemy, Ross Perot president and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, drew competitor names out of a chalice. Jacques Marquis read out the names, and each pianist came forward to choose their order of play.

Preliminary Round (order of play, though not times, will hold for Quarterfinal Round recitals)

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Preliminary Round Concert 1  I  2:30 PM

2:30 p.m. – Jan Schulmeister, 16, Czechia
2:52 p.m. – Saehyun Kim 김세현, 16, South Korea
3:14 p.m. – Seoeun Lee 이서은, 14, South Korea
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
3:54 p.m. – Yiran Zhou 周怡然, 15, China
4:16 p.m. – Eddison Chen, 13, United States
4:38 p.m. – Zhonghua Wei 魏中华, 14, China

Preliminary Round Concert 2  I  7:00 PM

7:00 p.m. – Chengcheng Yao 姚承承, 14, China
7:22 p.m. – Steven Ruochong Cui 崔若冲, 17, United States
7:44 p.m. – Jaeuk Lim 임재욱, 16, South Korea
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
8:24 p.m. – Taige Wang, 13, United States
8:46 p.m. – Seokyoung Hong 홍석영, 15, South Korea
9:08 p.m. – Chihiro Sugawara 菅原千尋, 16, Japan

Friday, June 9, 2023
Preliminary Round Concert 3  I  2:30 PM

2:30 p.m. – Yifan Wu 吴一凡, 14, China
2:52 p.m. – Tiankun Ma 马天坤, 16, China
3:14 p.m. – Alyssa Gabrilovich, 17, United States
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
3:54 p.m. – Lukas Lee 李璐王子, 15, China
4:16 p.m. – Mi Hou 侯米, 15, China
4:38 p.m. – Sizhe Wang 王思哲, 14, China

Preliminary Round Concert 4  I  7:00 PM (followed by the announcement of the Quarterfinalists)

7:00 p.m. – Zihan Jin 金子涵, 14, China
7:22 p.m. – Modan Oyama 大山桃暖, 17, Japan
7:44 p.m. – Chenxi Chu 褚晨熙, 14, China
20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
8:24 p.m. – Xuanyan Jessie Gong 龚暄妍, 16, China
8:46 p.m. – Andrew Gu, 16, United States