Walking into the Maison Symphonique last night, there was an air of trepidation. Maybe it was the day’s torrential rainstorm that cast a dark shadow on the city for a time. Or maybe it was just the nerves of the final six piano contestants of the Montreal International Music Competition (MIMC).
Given the flashy, and sometimes even biased one-shot – character of piano competitions, pianists participate in a wide number of competitions. There are many to choose from and each competes with each other to maintain the allure of competitors. To stand out, the MIMC recently added an improvising prize to its 2014 edition. The first inaugural winner was pianist Serhiy Salov, from Ukraine announced on May 20th.
Winning a competition is a big deal for any pianist’s career prospects. But participating in several competitions and consistently achieving higher rankings is perhaps the best sign of quality. These serve as all-important focal points endorsed by expert opinions to help shift through the large market of young talent each season.
Last night was the first of two final recitals that will lead to the crowning of the competition’s winner, and its $30,000 first place prize tonight, Wednesday, June 4th . The three piano hopefuls were Charles Richard-Hamelin (Canada), Kate Liu (United States), and Alexander Ullman (United Kingdom).
It was a beefy program of concertos, featuring the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, with guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.
First up was Alexander Ullman, performing Tchaïkovsky’s Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23. It was apparent that Ullman provided the thunder to the storm clouds over Montreal last night. He handled the famous opening first movement with confidence, had no trouble tying it together with the languid second movement and its contrasting lighter orchestration. Ullman’s style is clean and percussive, and the concerto suited him well. Guest conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero followed him closely, and looked impressed with his performance.
The second contestant was Montréal native Charles Richard-Hamelin. Richard-Hamelin is a student with André Laplante at the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique. Toronto audiences might recall that he won first prize in the 2012 Toronto Symphony Orchestra national Piano Competition. Unfortunately his rendition last night of Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 was disappointing. His performance of the opening carillon-like chords on the piano built tension, but the climax at the introduction of the main theme was flat and uninspired. As the piece continued to build, he pulled back, leaving the momentum at a loss. Certainly a capable pianist by any measure, but tonight was not his night to shine.
Closing the night was Philadelphia-based Kate Liu, who at age 20, is currently studying at the Curtis Institute of Music with Robert McDonald. She performed Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16, which stands as one of the most technically difficult piano concertos in the standard repertoire. A decade ago, there were only a dozen or so pianists in the world who could play it properly. Argerich wouldn’t touch it, Kissin delayed learning it, and even Prokofiev had a difficult time of it. Spectacle as it was, Liu had the 35 minute concerto well under control. Though she seemed to struggle with the tempo at times, her ability, especially during the Scherzo, was devastatingly impressive. I would be very surprised if she didn’t place in the top three.
The MIMC continues tonight with Canadian Xiaoyu Liu, Jayson Gillham (Australia/UK), and Germany’s Annika Treutler for the final round of recitals, and subsequent jury deliberations to be announced at approximately 10:30 p.m.
For those not able to make it, CBC Music will be live streaming the event here. Everybody’s invited.
Michael Vincent
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