A total of 361 applicants from 56 different countries is by far a world record for any new piano competition. The contestants are between 17 and 35 years of age and they are all outstanding and marvelous pianists.
An international jury of leading pianists and pedagogues from eight countries and three continents will select three prize winners. But before that, another jury has chosen 24 pianists from 14 different countries to participate in the final rounds. This jury, lead by professor Tori Stødle from the University of Tromsø’s music conservatory, has had a very challenging task choosing the finalists among so many extremely talented young pianists.
In the end, three contestants will be chosen to compete for the three prestigious and valuable prizes. After only playing recitals in the initiating rounds, the finalists will be accompanied by the Russian “Karelia Philharmonic Orchestra” lead by their own artistic director Marius Stravinsky.
The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation will cover the event and offer it for distribution within the EBU-network. The final will take place on the 19th in Tromsø’s concert hall, KulturHuset.
The Top of the World – competition will be held every other year, the next competition will take place in June 2011. The competition is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional and local authorities and institutions as well as the biggest financial institution in the north of Norway, Sparebank 1 Nord-Norge. All piano tuning is done by Steinway Services/Thron Irby.
Audience is also invited to pick “their own” winner among the three finalists. This prize winner is invited to Nordlysfestivalen (The Northern Lights Music Festival in Tromsø) in 2010.
The competitions homepage is: www.topoftheworld.no