17th Hastings International Piano Competition opens for entries

“This is a competition to watch” International Piano MagazineThe 17^th Hastings International Piano Competition will take place from 22 Feb – 2 March 2024 and entry is now open, by video audition. The deadline for entries is 15 September 2023, and full details of how to enter the competition are here: https://www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org/2024-competition/

The competition is generously supported by Steinway and sons and will feature 45 entrants who will play live in Hastings over the period. A jury of 3, chaired by Artistic Director of Hastings International Piano, Vanessa Latarche, will select the entrants from the video submissions.

Hastings International Piano is delighted to announce a new partnership with Southbank Sinfonia who will accompany the semi-finals. The finals over two nights will be accompanied as before by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Both these rounds will be conducted by Rory MacDonald.

Another new departure for the competition is a commission for the solo round by American composer Lera Auerbach. This five minute test piece will be a compulsory entry for the solo round, and will be given its world premiere at this point.

Furthermore, a 2-year professional development programme has been created where finalists will receive mentoring, career advice, programming advice, performance opportunities and professional headshots from leading industry experts.

Vanessa Latarche, Artistic Director of Hastings International Piano, writes:

“I am thrilled with the recent developments for the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Southbank Sinfonia’s involvement offers an exciting opportunity for our competitors to play with another professional orchestra in the semi -finals in addition to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the finals. We are delighted that Lera Auerbach has agreed to compose a special test piece for the solo recital round, giving the competitors the chance to showcase their skill in contemporary repertoire. I am sure that this piece will have a long life well beyond the 2024 competition and we look forward to hearing our competitors’ interpretations of it. I thank the wonderful team of volunteers, piano hosts and host families that help make the competition happen.”

CONCERTO COMPETITIONFirst Prize – £15,000 plus future performance opportunities with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Finals over 2 nights with RPO

Semi-finals over 3 sessions with Southbank Sinfonia

First round 2 pianos playing sections of 2 concertos

2nd round solo recital round including new commission

JURY

Professor Vanessa Latarche – Jury President

Paul Hughes – UK

Piotr Paleczny – Poland

Eleanor Wong – Hong Kong

Fran Cruz Plaza – Spain

Pascal Escande – France