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The International Russian Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza is only in its fourth year, and already it boasts almost 100 competitors hailing from 17 countries, and a lineup of internationally known musicians who will perform concerts, lead master classes and lectures, and serve as competition jurors.
The Steinway Society of the Bay Area co-sponsors this special musical event, which takes place May 2331 at Le Petit Trianon in downtown San Jose.
Bay Area musician Irina Morgan, who co-founded the event with her husband, Dan, says that there were several motivations that led to the competition's founding in 2000. "We really wanted to help young, talented musicians," says Morgan. "We wanted to help them to promote their talents and provide them with something—not necessarily even money, although we do have monetary prizes, but also we provide some concert engagements for them, which is might be even more important than money." Morgan notes the top prizewinner receives a $3,000 prize in addition to the opportunity to play with the Bay Areabased Nova Vista Symphony and concert engagements in Toronto, Seattle, New York, San Francisco and San Jose.
The music of Russia was always meant to be a focal point of the event, but the international aspect of the competition—namely, this year's lineup of contestants from five continents—was a little more unexpected, at least so soon in the event's existence. "The first year we had the competition at Foothill College and we had around 35 contestants," Morgan recalls. "One contestant, one young kid, had traveled all the way from Sacramento, and we thought, 'Oh my gosh, he's traveling from Sacramento to San Jose just to compete in our competition.' So that was a big deal for us. We kept it local, basically for the San Jose area, but we didn't expect such a response from people."
And what a response it has been. The 2002 competition marked the first time the event was opened to international competitors. Last year attracted contestants from nine different countries; the number of nations represented has nearly doubled in one year.
Morgan attributes so much success in so short a time to a number of factors, including support from the renowned musicians who make up the competition's jury, as well as the diversity of the events.
"Also, we provide master classes and lectures, so it's not only a competition, but we're trying to turn it more toward the educational process. So that's why we have, for the entire day of May 28, nothing but master classes and lectures.
Audiences stand to get plenty out of it, as well. All the preliminary competition events are free and open to the public, as are the master classes and lectures. The only ticketed events are concerts offered by jury members and special competition events, such as final round of the Advanced Category on May 29 or the Winners' Concert on May 30 featuring the top three winners in each of the Junior, Intermediate and Advanced categories.
Russian concert pianist Vladimir Viardo, jury president, performs works by Schubert-Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev at opening ceremonies May 23.
On May 25, piano virtuoso Alexander Tselyakov performs pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Shchedrin and contemporary Canadian composer Srul Irving Glick.
May 31 brings the event to a rousing finale with the Russian Extravaganza, featuring a concert of Russian opera, folk music and dancing, a special performance by jury members, and a feast of Russian delicacies and wine- and vodka-tasting.
The International Russian Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza takes place May 23-31 at Le Petit Trianon in San Jose. Single event tickets are $15$35. For more information, call 408.246.4200 or www.russianmusiccompetition.com.
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