Honens International Piano Competition

The Honens International Piano Competition is a triennial classical piano competition held in Calgary, Canada that awards prizes in piano performance. In addition to monetary awards, the top prize winner receives access to a career development program that includes concert engagements, a recording, management, and a Banff Centre residency.[1][2] It is the world's wealthiest piano competition.[3]

Founding

In 1991, Esther Honens, a Canadian philanthropist, entrepreneur, and amateur pianist, created a $5 million endowment to host an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary.[4] She died shortly following the first competition in 1992.[5]

Competition format

Fifty quarterfinalists are chosen from a pool of applicants. Ten of these are chosen as semifinalists at rounds held in New York[6] and Germany. These are then narrowed down to three finalists[7] who complete for a monetary awards and a three-year career development program[8] that includes artist management, international orchestral performances,[9] production of professional recordings, and mentorship opportunities.

During the competition, contestants collaborate in performances with other musicians in chamber and vocal settings and concerto performances, in addition to playing self-programmed solo recitals, and participate in individual filmed interviews.[10] Juries include representatives of music management and the recording industry as well as active concert pianists.[11] Competitors are encouraged to showcase themselves and their own artistry.[12]

The competition has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions since 1998.[13] Steinway & Sons is the official sponsor of the competition.[14]

Festival

Since 2014 the Competition has expanded to include a festival taking place in a variety of indoor and outdoor Calgary venues each year.[15][16] The Honens Festival and Piano Competition earned a White Hat of the Year award from Tourism Calgary in 2015.[17]

Laureates

The Honens International Piano Competition named between three and five Laureates up to and including its 2009 competition. Starting in 2012, it switched to a sole Prize Laureate system.[11]

1992

1996

2000

  • Katherine Chi, Canada
  • Marko Martin, Estonia
  • Alessandra Maria Ammara, Italy

2003

2006

  • Minsoo Sohn, South Korea
  • Hinrich Alpers, Germany
  • Hong Xu, China

2009

  • Georgy Tchaidze, Russia
  • Evgeny Starodubtsev, Russia
  • Gilles Vonsattel, Switzerland

2012

2015

  • Luca Buratto, Italy[11]

2018

  • Nicolas Namoradze, Georgia[18]

2021

  • The 2021 Honens International Piano Competition was postponed until 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

2022

  • Illia Ovcharenko, Ukraine[20]

References
  1. Hilary Stroh (12 September 2018), Georgian pianist Nicolas Namoradze wins 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, retrieved 21 January 2022
  2. William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  3. William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  4. Stephen Cera (29 August 2018), Honens International Piano Competition brings the world to Calgary, The Whole Note, retrieved 31 January 2022
  5. Nowell, Iris (1996). Women who Give Away Millions: Portraits of Canadian Philanthropists. Anthony Hawke. p. 106. ISBN 0-88882-186-7.
  6. Vivien Schweitzer (9 October 2012), "Riding Into Carnegie Hall on a Masterpiece by Bach", New York Times, retrieved 31 January 2022
  7. 50 quarter-finalists chosen for the 2021 Honens International Piano Competition, Pianist Magazine, 15 December 2020, retrieved 31 January 2022
  8. "Honens announces semi-finalists for renowned piano competition | Calgary Herald".
  9. "Exclusive Interview: Pianist-Composer and Honens Winner Nicolas Namoradze on His Carnegie Hall Debut". 28 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  10. William Littler (14 September 2018), Winning a major music competition doesn't guarantee a career, Toronto Star, retrieved 21 January 2022
  11. William Littler (17 September 2015). "Winning isn't everything at Honens piano competition". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  12. Holly Harris (31 March 2021), PROFILE: Nicolas Namoradze: 'Life Is Full Of Surprises', Ludwig Van, retrieved 21 January 2022
  13. "Calgary – Honens Piano Competition". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  14. Monique de St. Croix (1 December 2018), Sponsorship feud strikes a sour note at Honens International Piano Competition, The Globe and Mail, retrieved 31 January 2022
  15. Simon MacLeod (4 September 2019), The 2019 Honens Festival offers a spectacular balance of piano classics — both near and far, The YY Scene, retrieved 31 January 2022
  16. Kenneth DeLong (13 September 2021), Review: Honens Festival adapts, excels with the conditions, Calgary Herald, retrieved 31 January 2022
  17. damienwood (18 May 2016), Tourism Calgary celebrates Calgary's best and brightest with 54th annual White Hat Awards, Calgary Herald, retrieved 11 February 2022
  18. "Unparalleled Georgian pianist takes top honours at Honens competition". Calgary Herald. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  19. Michael Vincent (3 March 2021), Honens International Piano Competition Moves To 2022, Ludwig Van, retrieved 31 January 2022
  20. "Honens Announces Illia Ovcharenko From Ukraine as 2022 Honens Prize Laureate" (PDF).
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