Piano Competition ST 2023

On the 4th May our Senior School music department held the long-awaited Piano Competition for a select group of talented pupils. Through a process of auditions, five pupils were selected to perform in the concert open to pupils, Beaks and parents.

Pupils were joined by Mr Jordan Korth, Director of Music at Shattuck St. Mary’s Forest City International School, who acted as an impartial judge for the competition. The evening began with a piece by Amy in Remove, performing Rondo Number 1 from Three Rondos on Slovak folk tunes, Sz84 by Béla Bartók. Elisa followed this performance with a beautiful piece by William Manson, Lullaby, Op. 10. This piece features a calming melody, played at a slower pace, providing wonderfully lulling music to the audience. Ariel from Remove then played her fantastically complex piece of Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5 by Dmitry Shostakovich. There is much of Shostakovich’s familiar lively rhythms and unusual harmonies in these youthful pieces, featuring continuous change of pace and melody, a wonderful treat for the audience.

The final two performances saw Josh in Remove play a true classic, Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2 by Frederick Chopin and Mayuka in Hundred play a particularly difficult Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, ‘Pathétique’, 3rd Movement by Beethoven. These two pieces were wonderful to end the evening on, with the familiar lull of Chopin, followed by a truly complex, but stunning Beethoven piece.

All pianists performed excellently, with poise and passion. As Mr Watkins and Mr Korth deliberated the final winner, anticipation of the decision was high. It was finally announced that after much discussion, the winner of the 2023 Piano Competition was Elisa with her performance of Lullaby, Op. 10. Congratulations go to all those who played in this excellent competition.