Finals in the XV Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition began in 1976 as the Brigham Young University Summer Piano Festival. In 1978 the name of Gina Bachauer was given to the competition in honor of the great Greek pianist who was a celebrated favorite of Utah audiences and often appeared with Maurice Abravanel and the Utah Symphony. In 1980, the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition relocated to Salt Lake City under the patronage of the Utah Symphony. The competition was held on a biennial schedule, every other year, during the month of June. During this period, the Gold Medalist received a Steinway Grand Piano and a New York recital debut. In 1995, the four-year cycle of various international competitions was set into the Foundation’s schedule. They included the two Junior Competitions, the original Artists Competitions of ages 19-32, and the newly created Amateur Piano Competition for non-professional musicians ages 33-100.
Competitors in the 2010 Artists Competition perform in two rounds of recitals for an international jury of distinguished artists. As there are no requirements of repertory, competitors can display their artistry and virtuosity with music of their own choice. No elimination occurs until the final round and the opening two rounds saw 37 competitors from 17 countries, each playing 35- and 50-minute programs.
A nine-member jury with the Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition has now selected six finalists to perform a concerto of their choice with the Utah Symphony Orchestra and conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith:
Wednesday, June 30
Zhang Zuo: Rachmaninoff – Concerto No.2 in C Minor, op. 18
Kotaro Fukuma: Schumann – Concerto in A Minor, op. 54
Serhiy Salov: Brahms – Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 83
Thursday, July 1
Dmitri Levkovich: Rachmaninoff – Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18
Yunjie Chen: Chopin – Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11
Lukas Geniusas: Rachmaninoff – Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30
Follow the competition:
Gina Bachauer Competition – Live streaming video broadcast
Edit July 2:
First Prize–Gold Medal: Lukas Geniusas (Russia)
View all prize winners here
Gina Bachauer (1913 – 1976), was a Greek classical pianist who toured extensively in the United States and Europe.
She recorded for the HMV (His Master’s Voice), RCA Victor and Mercury labels and she gave hundreds of concerts – including 630 for the Allied troops in the Middle East during World War II. Gina Bachauer was also the piano teacher of Princess Irene.
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