THE ITURBI PRIZE SELECTS THE 10 PIANISTS WHO WILL MOVE ON TO THE SECOND ROUND

03/06/2023

The performers who will continue in the competition are: Rachel Breen and Anthony Ratinov (U.S.); Matyáš Novák and Natalie Schwamova (Czech Republic); Sergey Belyavsky and Anastasia Vorotnaya (Russia); Minsung Lee (South Korea), Elia Cecino (Italy), Djordje Radevski (Serbia) and Sebastian Iivonen (Sweden).

Joaquín Achúcarro, Artistic Director, chairs the jury 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
Madre, a work by Francisco Coll that draws on Spanish folklore and the great Central European tradition, will be one of the pieces that the pianists will have to perform in the second round. It was commissioned by the Iturbi Prize, and with it the prestigious composer pays tribute to the painter Joaquín Sorolla.

Valencia, 3 June 2023

The Iturbi Prize, organised by the Provincial Council of Valencia, has announced the names of the 10 pianists who have made it through to the second round of the Valencia International Piano Competition: Rachel Breen and Anthony Ratinov (USA); Matyáš Novák and Natalie Schwamova (Czech Republic); Sergey Belyavsky and Anastasia Vorotnaya (Russia); Minsung Lee (South Korea), Elia Cecino (Italy), Djordje Radevski (Serbia) and Sebastian Iivonen (Sweden). [See attached documentation].

Joaquín Achúcarro, Artistic Director, chairs the competition jury, 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. They have evaluated the recitals based on artistic criteria, interpretation and suitability for the chosen repertoire.

Madre, a work by Francisco Coll that draws on Spanish folklore and the great Central European tradition, will be one of the pieces that the pianists will have to tackle in the second round. It was commissioned by the Iturbi Prize, and with it the prestigious composer pays tribute to Joaquín Sorolla (Valencia 1863 – Cercedilla, Madrid 1923), in a year that marks the centenary of his death. It is inspired by the painter’s painting of the same name, which commemorates the birth of his daughter Elena in 1895, and in which Coll sought to “translate into sound the light that Sorolla painted so many times”.

Admission to all stages is free, although to attend the final concerts, the Grand Final and the closing gala at the Teatro Principal, you must book in advance via the ‘Tickets’ section of the website pianoiturbi.dival.es.

The Iturbi Prize forms part of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, a Geneva-based association of competitions from countries on five continents, including the most prestigious international music competitions in the world. The Valencia International Piano Competition is listed by the Alink-Argerich Foundation, which offers information on most of the international piano competitions around the world.