Mark your calendar now for the next Cleveland International Piano Competition and Festival, which will be held from Sunday, July 24 through Sunday, August 7, 2016. If those dates seem a little different this time around, you’re absolutely correct – the event is now a full 15 days long!
Two important changes are the driving force behind the extended program. First, the opening ceremony has become a major celebration and is now officially included as part of the event. It will serve as the grand kick off for the Competition and Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art, with a major performance in Gartner Auditorium, followed by an appropriately festive party in the Ames Family Atrium.
The second important change is the addition of a chamber music performance round for the four finalists. This wonderful new way to assess and enjoy the skills of the finalists will be held just before the final concerto round with The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall.
The addition of the Festival in 2013 marked a major turning point for the Competition, with every Festival event extremely well attended (or sold out) and favorably reviewed. Based on this demand, and with strong support from our hosts at the Cleveland Museum of Art, more Festival events will be added in 2016 to provide new and innovative learning opportunities for the audience. Our goal is to continue to create connectivity between the audience, music, musicians, composers, and jurors, so the entire 15-day event becomes a memorable experience of learning, listening, and meeting new friends. Patrons can expect enlightening talks, panel discussions, films, and demonstrations, all designed to enhance their understanding of the music being heard in the concert hall. One of the most popular discussions – the jury roundtable – is guaranteed to return. It had to be moved to a larger room in 2013 due to the high demand for tickets.
Many exciting announcements regarding the 2016 Competition and Festival will be made in the months ahead. In just a few weeks, the notice calling for applicants will be sent to conservatories and music schools around the world! Keep track of the latest news on the Cleveland International Piano Competition Facebook page, our website, or through our e-newsletter. Sign up to receive it by clicking on the bell icon at the top right corner of the home page.