In search of the complete artist, Honens invites 93 pianists to international piano competition

Pianists selected for first public stage of 2009 Honens Competition

CALGARY, AB, January 9, 2009 ’Äì Honens announced today that 93 concert pianists from 26 countries have been invited to take part in Stage One of the Sixth Honens International Piano Competition. Honen’Äôs International Piano Competition is one of the highest-ranking musical competitions in the world. Its uniqueness lies in its mission to find the complete artist ’Äì one who possess technical mastery as well as expressiveness in a wide range of musical forms and styles ’Äì one whose music-making possesses imagination, innovation and relevance in today’Äôs world.

Stage One is the preliminary round of the competition where pianists from around the world perform individual 40-minute solo recitals. Stage One sessions take place before audiences in Calgary on March 21; in New York from March 26 to 31; and in Munich on April 25 to 27. A total of 11 pianists in Calgary, 50 in New York and 32 in Munich will perform.

The Application Screening Jury, which included Angela Cheng, Chairwoman, Honens First Jury; William Aide, Chairman, Honens Second Jury; and Stephen McHolm, Honens Executive Director reviewed 145 applications.

’ÄúIt’Äôs evident by the quality of the applicants that Honens has become one of the world’Äôs leading competitions,’Äù says McHolm. ’ÄúThe competition juries will face a challenging task ahead in choosing the 2009 Honens Laureates.’Äù

Stage One performances will be videotaped and reviewed by the First Jury at the Banff Centre in June. From a field of 93 pianists, 21 will advance to the Quarterfinals in Calgary, which begins on October 22.

Honens International Piano Competition is one of the world’Äôs most prestigious events of its kind. The Sixth Honens Competition takes place in Calgary, October 22 to November 6, 2009. It is presented by Nexen Inc. and supported by Steinway & Sons, Irene Besse Keyboards Ltd., MacLeod Dixon LLP, Enbridge Inc., and TransAlta. For more information about Honens, please visit honens.com.