Honens announces 2009 Winners

media release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honens International Piano Competition announces Laureates and prizewinners

CALGARY, AB, November 6, 2009 ’Äì William Aide, Chairman of the Honens Jury, announced tonight the Laureates and prizewinners of the Sixth Honens International Piano Competition in Calgary. First Laureate is Georgy Tchaidze, 21, (Russia), Second Laureate is Evgeny Starodubtsev, 27, (Russia), and Third Laureate is Gilles Vonsattel, 28, (Switzerland). 

’ÄúThe outstanding concerto performances by the Honens finalists have made the jury’Äôs decision all the more difficult,’Äù says Aide. ’ÄúOur three Laureates demonstrate the artistic conviction Honens seeks in its search for the ’ÄòComplete Artist’Äô.’Äù

In addition to more than $100,000 CAN in cash prizes, Honens awards its three Competition Laureates one of the competition world’Äôs most lucrative career development prizes valued at more than $500,000.  This three-year program, which prepares the laureates for the rigours and realities of a professional music career, includes international engagements, presentation of debuts in essential career-building markets, production of recordings, residencies at The Banff Centre, media training, networking opportunities with presenters and artist managers, and mentoring and coaching.  The program is customized to each laureate’Äôs needs, regardless of Competition ranking.

During the Awards Ceremony, Nexen Inc. announced it would again be the Presenting Sponsor of the Seventh Honens International Piano Competition, October 18 to November 3, 2012.

Honens International Piano Competition is among the world’Äôs most prestigious events of its kind.  It searches the world to discover ’ÄúComplete Artists’Äù ’Äì 21^st century musicians for 21^stcentury audiences.  The Sixth International Piano Competition, was presented by Nexen Inc., and supported by Steinway & Sons, Irene Besse Keyboards Ltd, Macleod Dixon LLP, TransAlta and Enbridge Inc. For more information visit honens.com.