The International piano competition of Orléans

Deadline: 02/12/2021
Location: Orleans, France
Disciplines: Piano
From: 01/04/2022 To: 10/04/2022
Age limit: up to 36

DECEMBER 2nd 2021 APPLICATION DEADLINE
DECEMBER 16th 2021 NOTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR THE COMPETITION
JANUARY 10th 2022 DEADLINE FOR PROGRAMME MODIFICATION

ORLEANS

APRIL 1st 2022 (7.00pm) DRAW & MEETING WITH THE COMPETITION TEAM
APRIL 2nd & 3rd 2022  REHEARSALS OF THE CANDIDATES
APRIL 4th & 5th 2022 FIRST ROUND
APRIL 6th REHEARSALS OF THE SEMI-FINALISTS
APRIL 7th 2022 SEMI-FINAL RECITAL
APRIL 8th & 9th 2022 REHEARSALS OF THE FINALISTS
APRIL 10th 2022 (3.00pm) FINAL

PARIS
APRIL 11th 2022 (8.30pm) CONCERT OF THE LAUREATES

Draw & Rounds Salle de l’Institut 4 Place Sainte-Croix 45000 Orléans – France
Final Théâtre d’Orléans Boulevard Pierre Ségelle 45000 Orléans – France
Concert of the Laureates Théâtre des Boues du Nord 37 bis Boulevard de la Chapelle 75010 Paris – France

DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The order of performance of the pieces may be dierent from that indicated page 3, for each of the three rounds of the Competition.

We ask candidates to carefully read the information provided in the section “PRIZE LIST AND AWARDS” regarding choices for the Special prizes and the piece presented for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize.

We will be looking for original and coherent programmes that showcase the candidates’ talent and the pieces being presented. For this reason, we have decided to give candidates the freedom to create their own programme for the Semi-final Recital.
To explain their choices, candidates will present a short statement of intent (in French or English only) to accompany their programmes for the Semi-final Recital.

Candidates are requested to find a balance between the following periods: 1900-1918 / 1918-1945 / 1945-1968 / 1968-2000 / 2000-2021. These periods are defined according to major historic events. Of course, the aesthetic boundaries between these periods are not as clearly defined.
We particularly welcome programmes that will bring together the most recent music and the French repertoire of the early 20th Century.

=> Multimedia, electronics, prepared piano:
The exploration of musical language and the evolution of the piano as an instrument is an essential element of our Competition. For this reason, we encourage candidates to also present pieces for prepared piano or for piano and electronics or for piano and multimedia.

First round:

  • ●  Candidates are requested to present two contrasting études: For this first round, the candidate will demonstrate their interpretative and technical abilities – these etudes play a vital role in showcasing these abilities. Candidates are asked to present two études – preferably from two dierent periods – but most importantly they should each demonstrate a contrasting musical language or technique.
  • ●  List ‘In the salon of Marcel Proust’: The Competition of Orléans pays tribute to the great Marcel Proust, whose passing exactly 100 years ago is commemorated both in France and throughout the world. In Search of Lost Time covers a musical universe dear to the Competition and an interesting relationship to sound for a performer to explore. The great English cellist Steven Isserlis, very close to this repertoire and to the subject of Proust, has done us the honour of imagining a list of works that transport us to an imaginary Proustian salon that traverses the 20th and 21st centuries, much like the Competition of Orléans!
    • –  Gabriel Fauré, Nocturne No. 13 in B minor, Op. 119
    • –  Claude Debussy, Étude pour les arpèges composés et Elegie
    • –  Olivier Messiaen, Quatre Études de rythme : 1. Île de feu et 2. Modes de valeurs etd’intensités
    • –  Henri Dutilleux, Trois Préludes : 3. Le jeu des contraires
    • –  Igor Stravinsky, Quatre Études Op. 7
    • –  Sergei Prokofiev, Quatre pièces Op.4
    • –  Karol Szymanowski, Deux Mazurkas Op. 62
    • –  Béla Bartok, Trois Études Op. 18
    • –  György Kurtág, Szálkák (Splinters)
    • –  Oliver Knussen, Sonya’s Lullaby
    • –  Olli Mustonen, Sielulintu
    • –  Thomas Adès, Trois Mazurkas op 27
    • –  George Benjamin, Piano Sonata : 1. Vivace
    • –  Elliott Carter, 90+
    • –  John Adams, American BerserkSemi-final recital / MANDATORY PIECE:For each edition of the Competition, a new piano piece is commissioned to an internationally renowned composer. For the 2022 Semi-final recital, the piece has been commissioned by the Competition to Philippe Manoury (Editions Durand- Universal Music Publishing Classical).
      The score will be available and viewable online from Autumn 2021. It will be sent free of charge to all the registered candidates.

Final round:

● ●

For the Final round we wanted to oer a masterpiece of today’s music, Passacaille pour Tokyo by Philippe Manoury.

We ask candidates to choose a piece from the proposed list (below) which is made up of works written between 1915 and 1930 … exactly 100 years ago!
This list is not limited, the candidates may also propose a piece chosen by themselves to the artistic direction, composed at the same time and lasting 10 to 25 minutes.

List for the Final:

  • –  Béla Bartok, Dance Suite – 18:00 (1926)
  • –  Ferruccio Busoni, Toccata BV 287 – 10:30 (1920) and Sonatina no. 6 “Chamber Fantasy on Carmen” – 7:00 (1920)
  • –  Alfredo Casella, A notte alta – 18:00 (1917)
  • –  Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Rapsodia Piedigrotta – 22:00 (1924)
  • –  Aaron Copland, Passacaglia 6:30 (1922) and Variations 11:00 (1930)
  • –  Henry Cowell, Three Irish Legends – 11:30 (1917-22) and The Banshee – 4:33 (1925)
  • –  Marcel Dupré, Quatre pièces op.19 – 14’ (1921) or Variazioni – 15:00 (1924)
  • –  Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté – Piano Sonata No. 1 – 12’ (1923)
  • –  Georges Enesco – Sonata 1 – 22:00 (1924)
  • –  Samuel Feinberg, Sonata 6 – 15:00 (1923)
  • –  Pierre-Octave Ferroud, Types – 11:00 (1922-24) and Au parc monceau – 10:00 (1921)
  • –  Darius Milhaud, Saudade do Brasil – 20:00 (1921)
  • –  Fedrico Mompou, Cancion y Danza : La filla del Carmesí (1921) ; Senyora Isabel (1918-24) ; Noi de la Mare (berceuse de Noël) (1926) ; El Mariner (1928) – 14:00
  • –  Carl Nielsen, Suite op.45 – 22:00 (1919)
  • –  Francis Poulenc, 5 impromptus – 6:30 (1920-21) and Napoli 10:00 (1925)
  • –  Serge Prokofiev, Sonata 5 op.38 – 15:00 (1925)
  • –  Maurice Ravel, La Valse – 12:00 (1920)
  • –  Arnold Schönberg, Suite per pianoforte op. 25 – 15:00 (1923)
  • –  Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (Leon Dudley), Le jardin parfumé, KSS 35 – 20:00 (1923)
  • –  Igor Stravinsky, Trois mouvements de Petrouchka – 18:00 (1921)
  • –  Alexandre Tansman, Mazurkas, 1er recueil à Albert Roussel – 17:00 (1918 – 1928)
  • –  Alexander Tcherepnin, Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 – 18:00 (1918)
  • –  Joaquin Turina, Sanlucar de Barrameda : 1. En la Torre del Castillo, 2. Silueta de la Calzada, 3. La Playa – 19:00 – (1922)
  • –  Heitor Villa-Lobos, Rudepoêma, W. 184 – 18:00 (1921-26)The round will end with an “encore” at the candidate’s free choice and which artistically completes the final round (50 ‘maximum).

DETAILS ABOUT REHEARSALS AND PIANOS

  • ●  Candidates will be assessed on two Steinway & Sons pianos, one for keyboard pieces and the other for prepared pieces.
  • ●  Candidates will be able to rehearse on the Competition’s pianos, Salle de l’Institut, before the First round of the competition. Each candidate will receive the same amount of rehearsal time (30 min). A rehearsal timetable will be established once candidates have arrived – during the draw.
  • ●  Candidates will be able to rehearse and study on pianos at the Orléans Conservatory, and these will be made available to them for the duration of the Competition.

PRIZE LIST & AWARDS INTERPRETATION PRIZES

Blanche Selva BEG Ingénierie 1st Prize – 12 000 €
Oered by the Corporate Foundation BEG Ingénierie.

2nd Prize – 8 000 €
André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud 3rd Prize – 5 000 €
Oered by the Fondation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud, under the aegis of the Fondation de France.

Orléans Music Conservatory students Prize – 1 500 €
Oered by the Rotary Club of Orléans and awarded by a jury of students of Orléans Music Conservatory during the final round.

MANAGEMENT, CONCERT TOURS AND CD RECORDING

Following the Competition and for two years after the Prizes have been awarded, the Competition organization will oer support to laureates, to help them develop their careers as professional pianists. To help laureates develop a solid, long-term career, the Competition organization provides artistic guidance as well as guidance for career management and image.

Over these two years, the Competition organization oers laureates diverse career development opportunities:

  • ●  laureates are introduced to composers and other important figures in the world of contemporary music to enhance their artistic development.
  • ●  CD recording of an original project (for the First Prize of the Competition)
  • ●  national and international concert tours
  • ●  engagements for concerts, conferences and other piano events in partnership with prestigious music institutions in France and internationally — thanks in particular to partners such as Steinway & Sons and their Steinway Prizewinner Concerts Network programme.COMPOSITION PRIZEAndré Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize – 5 000 €
    Oered by the Foundation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud under the aegis of the Fondation de France.This Prize is mandatory and is awarded to the composer of the piece. The name of the chosen composer does not need to be included in the applicant’s programme when they submit their application. Applicants have until January 10th, 2022 to communicate this to the Competition if they are selected. The title of the piece may be announced in February 2022.

    The composer must be:

  • ●  either the candidate (pianist) himself if he is a composer (this is not an improvised piece)
  • ●  or a composer chosen by the candidate=> If required, the Competition can provide pianists who have been selected to compete with the full details (scores, recordings, biographies etc.) of a selection of international composers who are interested in competing for this Prize.
    Following the first round and after deliberation of the jury, the results will be kept in a sealed envelope and handed to the artistic director.As for the other awards, the Composition Prize will be announced and given to the laureate at the ocial awards ceremony which will take place just after the Competition Final on April 10th, 2022.SPECIAL PRIZES

    The Special Prizes are awarded by institutions who promote the work or career of a major 20th century composer or pianist. Find information about the dierent Special Prizes on our website.

    20TH CENTURY INTERPRETERS

    Samson François Prize – 2 000 € Oered by the Association Les Amis de Josette Samson François.

    Ricardo Viñes Prize – 2 500 € Supported by the Conseil Départemental du Loiret, awarded to the best performance of a French piece composed between 1900 and 1940.

    20TH CENTURY COMPOSERS

    In their programme for the Semi-final recital, each candidate should present at least one Special Prize – 20th Century Composers. Candidates competing for a Special Prize linked to a composer are expected to demonstrate real artistic commitment and these pieces should be coherent with the rest of the programme. => For each Special Prize, the candidate must present at least 8 minutes of music of the composer concerned.

    André Boucourechliev Prize – 4 000 €
    Oered by the Fondation André Boucourechliev, under the aegis of the Fondation de France. The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire work of the composer.

    Edison Denisov Prize – 2 000 €
    Oered by Mrs Ekaterina Denisova.
    The candidates will have to choose among the following pieces:

    • –  Variations and Trois préludes
    • –  Signes en blanc
    • –  RefletsHenri Dutilleux/Geneviève Joy Residency
      Oered by the Association Maison Henri Dutilleux – Geneviève Joy / Rencontres et création musicale.
      A one month residency at Maison Henri Dutilleux – Geneviève Joy in Candes-Saint-Martin (France) will be awarded to a laureate chosen by the Jury among the 3 finalists. Playing Dutilleux’s music will be a plus for obtaining this residency, but it is not compulsory.Olivier Greif Prize – 2 500 €
      Oered by the Association Olivier Greif.

    The candidates will have to play one of the following pieces:

    • ●  Sonate de guerre, 1st movement or 2nd and 3rd movements
    • ●  Les Plaisirs de Chérence, 1st, 3rd and 5th movements, or 1st, 4th and 5th movements
    • ●  Portraits et Apparitions, pièces 1, 4 and 7
    • ●  Sonate dans le goût ancien
    • ●  Sonate Le Rêve du monde, 2nd, 3rd and 4th movementsAndré Jolivet Prize – 2 500 €
      Oered by the Association Les Amis d’André Jolivet and Mrs Christine Jolivet-Erlih.
      The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire work of the composer. Candidates presenting Mana or the Cinq Danses rituelles will have to play the entire piece.Maurice Ohana Prize – 2 500 €
      Oered by the Association Les Amis de Maurice Ohana.
      The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire works of the composer.Albert Roussel Prize – 2 000 €
      Oered by the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot – Comité Albert Roussel. The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire works of the composer.

      Isang Yun Prize – 2 000 €
      Oered by the composer Mrs Unsuk Chin.
      The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire works of the composer.

ELIGIBILITY

  • ●  The 15th International piano competition of Orléans is open to both male and female pianists of all nationalities, born on or after January 1st, 1986.
  • ●  Pianists can participate in the Competition a maximum of three times. When a pianist is applying for the second or third time they must present a new programme. A maximum of two pieces already performed in previous years will be tolerated.
  • ●  Candidates are not required to perform from memory.
  • ●  Performances for the Competition rounds will be open to the public and will be recorded.
  1. ACCOMMODATION/TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
    • ●  Candidates can stay with a local family, free of charge, for the duration of the competition* – on demand only at the time of registration.
    • ●  We kindly ask candidates to contact their host family as soon as the Competition organisers have passed on their details.
    • ●  As candidates are hosted on a voluntary basis by families, we ask that they respect the basic principles of politeness and good behaviour.
    • ●  The Competition is not responsible for any costs incurred by candidates due to illness or accidents during their stay in Orléans. Competition organisers ask each candidate to give on the registration form the contact details of a friend or relative who can be contacted in case of emergency.
    • ●  A list of hotels and guest houses with preferential rates can be sent to candidates on request (payable by the candidate).
    • ●  We can provide candidates with the necessary documents required for a visa application.* subject to favorable sanitary conditions