On Wednesday, October 16, the 7th NTD International Piano Competition held its second day of the preliminary round at the Merkin Concert Hall in Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York. As per the regulations, participants were required to choose two out of 14 piano pieces by Bach and Liszt to showcase their piano skills and performance.
This international piano competition is organized by NTD Television, part of a series of international cultural and art competitions. It has been held seven times so far, with each edition witnessing an increase in the level of competition and the repertoire of pieces.
The aim of this competition is to promote the pure, good, and beautiful orthodox art, showcasing the splendid movements of piano music from the Baroque, Classical to Romantic periods. This unique feature of the competition has attracted like-minded artists from around the world to participate.
In the afternoon of Wednesday at 3:30 pm, the jury announced the list of semi-finalists, with 10 participants from Russia, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, and Japan advancing to the next stage.
Starting from tomorrow (17th), tickets for the competition venue will be available for sale, and there will be live streaming on the internet.
October 17 (Thursday) 10 am-6 pm: Semi-finals
October 18 (Friday) 1:20 pm-6 pm: Finals
October 19 (Saturday) 2 pm-5:20 pm: “Winners’ Concert” and Award Ceremony
For more details, visit: [Competition Website]
Tang-Hsing Lien, a participant from Taiwan currently pursuing a Master’s degree in piano performance, expressed his excitement about participating in the NTD piano competition. Encouraged by his mentor, he decided to take part in the unique competition after hearing about it. He found the repertoire of the competition to be exceptional compared to others, with a focus on traditional pieces familiar to him, which led him to enroll.
Robert Neuman from Germany, born into a musical family with a pianist mother and a cellist father, was drawn to the competition for its selection of classical masterpieces from 250 to 100 years ago. He appreciates the competition’s emphasis on protecting traditional values and academic excellence in music, which he finds invaluable in preserving cultural riches.
Shannon Chiang from Taiwan, who started learning piano at the age of 4 and is currently studying music in the US, was recommended to participate by her teacher. She admires the beauty and clarity of harmony in traditional music, which she believes can unite people and elevate them spiritually amidst the challenges of the modern world.
Jean-Luc Therrien, a Canadian participant who obtained a Master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Vienna, sees his participation in the NTD competition as an opportunity to delve into traditional music. He finds the study of music from the Bach era intriguing and values the competition’s promotion of these unique pieces.
Artur Slotwinski from Poland, a graduate of the Chopin Music Academy working as a pianist for a conductor, cherishes the intricate polyphony of Baroque music. His passion for the layered melodies of Bach’s fugues resonates deeply with him, and he looks forward to performing the competition’s designated pieces with inspiration drawn from Chinese music elements.
Overall, the participants appreciate the NTD competition for its mission to revive traditional music and serve as a platform to unite musicians and artists worldwide. The event celebrates the timeless beauty and cultural significance of classical music while providing a stage for artists to showcase their talents and interpretations of these masterpieces.