First International Piano Competitions at ASU, Jan. 9-15, 2006

TEMPE, Ariz. - All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players . William Shakespeare's words ring true this January as ASU's Herberger College hosts the first Bösendorfer US ASU and Schimmel US ASU International Piano Competitions, bringing to the stage some of the world's most talented young pianists, Jan. 9-15 at ASU's Tempe campus .

The public is invited to attend six days of performances by the 56 semi-finalists hailing from 16 countries. Semi-finalists will perform one virtuoso etude by Chopin or Liszt in addition to a piece of their choice. In final competitions, young pianists will perform one complete work of the classical period by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert plus works of their choice. The international event includes the winners' recital, several special concerts, master classes and a ticketed guest artist concert. A complete schedule is available at: http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/pianocompetition .

"Receiving a total of 170 applicants from 29 countries for our first competition is a wonderful response," said Catherine Scarbrough Fletcher, executive director of the competition and director of the Herberger College for Kids. "The scale of this competition and quality of applicants puts ASU's event on the map as one of the premiere international piano competitions."

The Bösendorfer US ASU International Piano Competition: Jan. 9 - 11

Pianists, ages 19-32, will compete for the Bösendorfer US ASU International Piano Competition prizes. First prize includes the David Katzin $10,000 award, a solo recital at the Bösendorfer Saal in Vienna and a number of performances as concerto soloist in the Applause Series at the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. The second prize winner receives a $5,000 award and a full scholarship to the International Summer Academy, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. A $2,000 award is offered to the third place winner.

The Schimmel US ASU Competition: Jan. 12-15

The Schimmel competition features a senior competition for ages 16-18 and a junior competition for ages 13-15.   Senior Piano Competition prizes include a first prize of $3,000, a recital in Germany and a concerto performance with the Mesa Symphony Orchestra during the 2006-2007 season. The second prize includes a $2,000 award and third prize includes $1,000.

Junior Piano Competition prizes include a first prize of $2,000 and a recital in Germany; a second prize of $1,000; and a third prize of $750.

Public Recitals and Events

The week-long festival including guest performers, finalist and semi-finalist performances, and master classes in the ASU School of Music building, are open to the public.

Guest Artist Recitals, Katzin Concert Hall, ASU School of Music

Local artists and duo-pianists Henry Rose and Kathryn Rood (Rose-N-Rood) will perform a free concert Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Alexander Korsantia, prizewinner of the Rubinstein and Sydney International competitions, will perform Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6-$12. Call 480-965-6447. Korsantia won one of the most prestigious awards - the Medal of Honor - in his native country of Georgia, located in southwestern Asia.

Semi-finalist Recitals, Katzin Concert Hall, free admission

•  Jan. 9, 1:15-8:15 p.m.: Bösendorfer competitors

•  Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m.: Bösendorfer competitors

•  Jan. 11, 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.: Bösendorfer competitors

•  Jan. 12, 9 a.m.-12:40 p.m.: Schimmel Jr. Competition

•  Jan. 12, 4:15-6 p.m.: Schimmel Sr. Competition

•  Jan. 13, 9-11:45 a.m.: Schimmel Sr. Competition

Finalist Recitals, Katzin Concert Hall, free admission

•  Jan. 13, 2:30-9:45 p.m.: Bösendorfer finals

•  Jan. 14, 8:35-10:30 a.m.: Schimmel Jr. finals

•  Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m.-2:55 p.m.: Schimmel Sr. finals

•  Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m.: Winners' Recital, including a performance by winners of the Bösendorfer, Schimmel Jr. and Schimmel Sr. International Piano competitions.

Master Classes, School of Music, open to the public for observation

•  Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m.: Dr. Baruch Meir, assistant professor in the School of Music, works with selected semi-finalists from the Bösendorfer division.

•  Jan. 17-19:   Mr. Phillip Kawin, professor of piano at Manhattan School of Music, presents a series of classes.

The Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University is dedicated to enriching its students and the community through innovative, collaborative and transforming experiences. Founded in 1964, Herberger College comprises four nationally ranked academic units: School of Music, School of Art, Department of Dance and School of Theatre and Film, plus the Arts, Media and Engineering Program and the ASU Art Museum.   To learn more about the college, visit http://herbergercollege.asu.edu 

Media Contact:
Denise Tanguay 
480.965.7144
denise.tanguay@asu.edu