The Quarterfinals of Canada’s 11th Honens International Piano Competition will launch with a total of 51 pianists still in the competition. They represent 19 countries (considering both country of origin and country of residence).
The usual number would be 50, but it’s 51 this year because of a tie in the scores accorded to two of the submissions. The Applicant Screening Jury considered 149 candidate submissions from 29 countries, the total number up 15% from 2022 (the most recent competition).
The Quarterfinal (International Audition) Rounds will take place in either Berlin (March 2 to 4), or New York (March 17 to 19).
“It’s both challenging and rewarding to pick the Quarterfinalists,” says Honens Artistic Director Jon Kimura Parker in a statement. “The Applicant Screening Jury has arrived at this list of 51 highly accomplished young pianists who we believe will have promising careers in music, no matter the outcome of the Competition,” he adds. “We’re confident all of them have the potential to fully embody the philosophy of the Complete Artist — a consummate collaborator, an inspiring virtuoso, a communicator, and a risk-taking explorer. We wish them the best in their performances in March!”
Members of the Applicant Screening Jury include pianists Tanya Bannister (United States), Tema Blackstone (Canada), Karim Said (Jordan), and Micah Yui (Japan).
The Candidates
There are several Canadian pianists still in the running, including:
- JJ Bui (Canada/Switzerland)
- Alice Burla (Canada/Switzerland)
- Chloé Dumoulin (Canada/UK)
- Carter Johnson (Canada/US)
- Élisabeth Pion (Canada)
- Linda Ruan (Canada)
Here’s the full list:
What’s Next?
At the Quarterfinals, each pianist will perform a 40-minute solo recital. Along with the performance, they will participate in a 10-minute English-language interview with an arts journalist.
The First Jury consists of both pianists and arts professionals: Sara Davis Buechner (Bronze Medalist of the 1986 Tschaikowsky Competition in Moscow and Gold Medalist of the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition), Nicolas Namoradze (2018 Honens Prize Laureate), Marianne Perron (Senior Director, Artistic Sector, Montreal Symphony Orchestra), and Robert Roux (Chair of Keyboard Department at Shepherd School of Music, Rice University).
They’ll select 10 pianists to advance to the Semifinals in Calgary. That announcement will be made in spring 2025.
The Semifinal and Final live performances take place in Calgary, from October 16 to 24, 2025. Collaborating musicians include Rachel Mercer, on cello, the Isidore String Quartet, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Elias Grandy.
Honens International Piano Competition
Held every three years, the Honens International Piano Competition will award Gold, Silver, and Bronze Laureates a cash prize of $100,000 CAD, $40,000 CAD, and $20,000 CAD, respectively. The Gold prize is the largest of its kind in the world.
Along with the cash comes a comprehensive three-year artistic and career development program that will be tailored to the winner. The Gold prize is the largest of its kind in the world.
The judges consider not only musical proficiency, but a Complete Artist philosophy that includes interpretative skills along with work as a collaborator, a communicator, and more.
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- THE SCOOP | Stravinsky & Strauss: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra & National Arts Centre Orchestra Offer New Recordings For 2025 - January 17, 2025
- PREVIEW | Brilliant Baroque: Tafelmusik Celebrates Korean New Year - January 17, 2025
- THE SCOOP | Maestro Alexander Shelley And Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra Set To Tour Republic Of Korea And Japan This Spring - January 16, 2025
