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October 21, 2016

Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition Established

Kawai Japan is proud to announce the establishment of the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition, with preliminary rounds commencing from 23rd April 2017, and the final scheduled for 4th August 2017.

  Shigeru Kawai International Piano Compatition Logo

 

About the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition

The inaugural Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition will coincide with Kawai’s 90th anniversary, and 50 years of Kawai music competitions.  The new competition aims to contribute to the development of music, and to promote international cultural exchange by nurturing the next generation of pianists from around the world.

The competition is named after the highly acclaimed Shigeru Kawai series of grand piano instruments, which are frequently selected by pianists in prestigious international piano competitions.  Shigeru Kawai instruments will be utilised throughout the competition, ensuring their beautiful sound is heard by a large audience around the world.

The Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition will be adjudicated by a panel of experienced judges, chaired by world-famous pianist Ms. Akiko Ebi.  Ms. Ebi previously served as chairperson of the jury at the 9th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, and was also a member of the jury at the 17th International Chopin Piano Competition.  Ms. Ewa Pobłocka, Mr. Katsunori Ishii and three additional world-class pianists/piano teachers will also serve as jury members at the Shigeru Kawai competition, ensuring that this inaugural event will be strictly adjudicated.

 

Competition Outline

Schedule 23rd April 2017 (Beginning of Preliminary Round) ~ 4th August 2017 (Final Round)
Eligibility Pianists of all nationalities born between 2nd April 1990 and 1st April 2000
Judgement Process Preliminary Round
Japan: April 23 ~ May 28 Kawai Concert Salons in major cities
Overseas: DVD submission (except China and Hong Kong)

Semifinal Round
1st ~ 2nd August 2017 Kawai Omotesando Concert Salon “Pause”

Final Round
4th August 2017 Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall – Small Hall
Prize 1st Prize JPY 1,000,000
2nd Prize JPY 500,000
3rd Prize JPY 250,000
Jury Ms. Akiko Ebi (chairperson) and five other world-famous pianists/piano teachers from Japan and overseas are to be invited.

* Details will be published on the competition’s official website to be launched at the end of October 2016.

 

About Shigeru Kawai grand pianos

Named after Kawai’s second company president and former chairman, the Shigeru Kawai series of premier grand pianos was launched in 1999.  Shigeru Kawai instruments are crafted by highly-skilled Master Piano Artisans (MPAs), utilising the finest available materials to ensure optimum touch, tone, and dynamic expression.  The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano was unveiled in 2001, and chosen as the official piano of the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition the following year.  As the flagship instrument of the Shigeru Kawai line, the SK-EX concert grand piano has developed a reputation for its exceptional tonal clarity, and has been selected by a number of prize winning pianists at various international piano competitions.

 

Prizewinners selecting the SK-EX at major international piano competitions

Hamamatsu International Piano Competition 1st Prize – Alexander Gadjiev (2015)
Sendai International Music Competition 2nd Prize – Evan Wong (2016)
Takamatsu International Piano Competition 2nd Prize – Andrei Shychko (2014)
Sydney International Piano Competition 1st Prize – John Chen / 4th Prize – Ayano Shimada (2004)
4th Prize – Takashi Sato (2008)
3rd Prize – Moye Chen (2016)
Casagrande International Piano Competition 2nd Prize – Eri Mantani [first prize not awarded] (2010)
1st Prize – Julian Jia / 2nd Prize – Yuan Jie (2014)
International Chopin Piano Competition 4th Prize – Shohei Sekimoto (2005)