The tension is rising
Semifinal of the 11th International FRANZ LISZT Piano Competition at the Festsaal Fürstenhaus and via livestream
The jury has once again made its decision: Six participants in the 11th International FRANZ LISZT Piano Competition Weimar – Bayreuth have reached the semi-finals. The semi-final can be experienced live and via livestream on Monday, 28 October and Tuesday, 29 October, both starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Festsaal Fürstenhaus of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.
The livestream is available at www.hfm-weimar.de and at www.youtube.com/hfmfranzlisztweimar.
The semi-finalists come from France, Israel, Russia, China, Taiwan and South Korea. This year's Liszt Competition marks the first time that chamber music has been added to their programme. The programme also includes Robert Schumann's Piano Quintet in E flat major, op. 44, and César Franck's Piano Quintet in F minor.
The pianists will be accompanied by the Karol Szymanowski Quartet. Tickets for the semi-final cost €8, reduced €5, and are available at the box office.
The final concert on 31 October 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weimarhalle with the Staatskapelle Weimar is also the final round with orchestra. Tickets are available at the Weimar Tourist Information Office and at the box office.
The competition returns to Bayreuth for the concert of the prizewinners on 1 November at 7:30 pm at the ‘Zentrum’. Tickets are available at the Bayreuth Theatre Box Office and at the box office.
The Liszt Competition, organised in cooperation with the city of Bayreuth, is considered one of the most important international competitions for the work of Franz Liszt. The University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar and the city of Bayreuth are hosting the competition for the eleventh time. A total of 64 pianists from around the world applied to participate in the ‘11th International Franz Liszt Competition Weimar - Bayreuth’ from 21 October to 1 November 2024.
The international jury, chaired by Prof. Michail Lifits, includes Michel Dalberto (France), Norma Fisher (Great Britain), Leslie Howard (Great Britain | Australia), Vivian Li (China), Boris Petrushansky (Italy) and Lilya Zilberstein (Austria).
The jury awards prizes worth a total of €25,000 to the most talented competitors. The first prize of €12,000 is donated by the LISZT FOUNDATION. There is also a second prize (€8,000) and a third prize (€5,000), as well as special prizes and follow-up concerts.
The required competition repertoire places a clear focus on the piano works of Franz Liszt in the first and second rounds. There will be an innovation in the semi-final in 2024: for the first time, one of four piano quintets by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvořák or César Franck must be selected and performed together with the Karol Szymanowski Quartet. In the finale, the focus is once again on the competition's namesake with his two piano concertos.
The Liszt Competition, which was launched 30 years ago by the Weimar Music university, is largely financed by the Free State of Thuringia and the city of Bayreuth. The NEW LISZT FOUNDATION also provides significant support.
Further information:www.hfm-weimar.de/liszt
[28 October 2024]