- Two American pianists and an Italian have made it through to the final of the competition, organised by the Provincial Council of Valencia, and will face the ultimate test at the Teatro Principal tomorrow, on Friday, 9 June at 7pm
- In the Grand Final, Breen and Cecino will perform the same piece: Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1; while Ratinov will tackle Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3
The Iturbi Prize, or Valencia International Piano Competition, organised by the Provincial Council of Valencia, has reached its Grand Final. The three pianists who will compete this year are: Rachel Breen and Anthony Ratinov (USA) and Elia Cecino (Italy). The jury making the selection is chaired by Joaquín Achúcarro and made up of seven leading figures from the international piano and music scene: Catherine d’Argoubet, Edmon Colomer, Ana Guijarro, Paolo Pinamonti, Jorge Luis Prats, Didier Schnorhk and Josu de Solaun.
In the Grand Final, to be held at the Teatro Principal on Friday, 9 June at 7pm, Breen and Cecino will perform the same work: Piotr Illich Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1, Op. 23 in B flat minor; while Ratinov has chosen Sergei Prokofiev’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3, Op. 26 in C major. The three will be accompanied by the Orchestra of Valencia, conducted by the Valencian conductor Álvaro Albiach.
The winner of the Iturbi Prize and the numerous other awards will be announced at the closing gala and awards ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, 10 June at 7.30 pm. Tickets for the Grand Final and the competition gala are almost sold out, but the event can be followed worldwide via the Vimeo culture channel and the Provincial Council of Valencia’s YouTube channel.
