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Impressive performances in Vilnius

Competitions

 

Results of the 9th International M. K. Ciurlionis Piano and Organ Competition

Behind the old and venerable facade of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, the 9th International M. K. Ciurlionis Piano and Organ Competition recently presented a formidable result of its 2023 edition. Jinhyung Park (26), a student of Arie Vardi in Hannover, took First Prize; behind him two outstanding young Vilnius pianists Simonas Poska (22, Second Prize) and Kasparas Mikuzis (22, Third Prize). In the organ category, Jan Kopriva (23) took First Prize, followed by Tatiana Pernetova (26, Second Prize); Aaron Voderholzer and Laura Schlappa (both 23, Third Prize ex aequo).

The Lithuanian Cultural Daily “7 meno dienos" commented: "The winner of the competition, Jinhyung Park from Seoul, enchanted the audience in the first round and became a clear favourite for the First prize. Separate evaluation and special prizes were won in the second round by the impressively played Čiurlionis Fuga b-moll of Park. While another work, Čiurlionis Prelude in F Sharp Major, left a strange impression of “playing time”, its superb performance did not spoil the overall view”.

On the day preceding the Final Rounds, a panel discussion was held at the Lithuanian Academy of Music. Under the title “Competitions and a performer’s career: mission (im)possible?”, jury member and prominent Lithuanian-French pianist Muza Rubackyte together with former winner Robertas Lozinskis, Alink-Argerich Foundation Founder Gustav Alink, and WFIMC Secretary General Florian Riem discussed a variety of aspects related to young musicians careers. The session was moderated by musicologist Lina Navickaite-Martinelli.

 

winners and jury on stage after the finals ©Ciurlionis Competition

Jury members Erik Tawaststjerna and Muza Rubackyte ©Ciurlionis Competition

Laureates (Piano)
First Prize: Jinhyung Park
Second Prize: Simonas Poska
Third Prize: Kasparas Mikuzis

Jury (Piano)
Roland Krüger (Chair), Zbignevas Ibelgauptas, Ivari Ilja, Sergejs Osokins, Muza Rubackyte, Cezary Sanecki, Erik Tawaststjerna

Artists:
Lithuanian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Laureates (organ)
First Prize: Jan Kopriva
Second Prize: Tatiana Pernetova
Third Prize: Aaron Voderholzer/ Laura Schlappa (ex aequo)

Jury (Organ):
Andrzej Chorosinski (Chair), Oskar Gottlieb Blarr, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Johannes Ebenbauer, Keiko Inoue, Renata Marcinkute-Lesieur, Leonidas Melnikas

 

The first Ciurlionis competition, held in 1965, brought together 15 Lithuanian pianists. It has been expanding ever since, implementing new initiatives. In 1968, organists were included in the competition; and in 1991, after Lithuania regained its independence, the path was opened for the first international competition.  The competition named after Mikalojus Kostantinas Čiurlionis is one of the major music events in Lithuania, fostering the timeless musical legacy of the Lithuanian genius. New professional music talents constantly emerge at the competition; it also promotes works by contemporary Lithuanian composers.

For the 2023 edition of the Ciurlionis Competition, its Honorary Chairman and former president of Lithuania, Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis, wrote: "The spirit of M. K. Čiurlionis soars through his works and becomes a heritage of thought.
We listen, hear inside ourselves and perform by conversing his words of different arts on everything around.
And the music – it is not just a music if we would consider understanding of it only as the art of sound, the sounding beauty. There is more. Like Bach and Beethoven, Čiurlionis shows that music is thinking itself, a way of thinking about life and its content.
Let’s discover. Musicians, let’s participate in the world of thought.
 

©WFIMC 2023/FR