The International e-Piano Junior Competition will wrap up Tuesday, June 16, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. That's when five finalists will perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. It's the last phase of a grueling competition that began a week ago when 22 students arrived in the Twin Cities prepared to "go all the way."
It's hardly an exaggeration to say that the event is a junior competition in name only. Contestants must be 17 or younger, but as you listen tonight, you'll be scratching your head — or is it dropping your jaw? I'd venture to say that this year, more than ever before, the technique of young musicians is at a very high standard. They're 12 to 16 years old and playing music we wouldn't have imagined touching 25 years ago.
Of course, you're probably wondering: Do the kids play with passion? Are they musical? I can assure you there is passion and musicality, along with a sense of adventure and discovery that's hard to resist.
Finally, if you love piano concertos, tonight's program is an embarrassment of riches: Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Chopin, Saint-Saëns; and Grieg. The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets to the live concert are free, but if you can't make it to Orchestra Hall, be sure to listen to our live broadcast.
Listen to the live broadcast of the International e-Piano Junior Competition on Tuesday, June 16, starting at 7 p.m., on Classical MPR.
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