The Heirs of the King of Piano

The name of the great pianist Vladimir Horowitz, whose name now graces a major music competition, is symbolic for Ukraine. He was called the king of pianists and a citizen of the world, who had a sparkling and bewitching music talent. He was born in Kyiv and without a doubt remained Kyivan in spirit. He had a great following in the twentieth century, and in the twenty-first century the competition named after him — a very exacting one — regularly selects his creative heirs.

Considering the great number of music competitions today, it is not easy to make a name for oneself, even less so in the world music community. So it was all the more gratifying to learn that the International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz has become a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC). This status places the International Competition, one of Ukraine’s largest competitions, on a par with the world’s most prestigious events of this kind. Since 2002 it has been a member of the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY).

The Horowitz Debut Group competition for pianists aged up to 14 has been held separately from older age groups since 2000. Here the repertoire requirements are less demanding, and it stands to reason that it is more convenient to hold this event, if the competitors are divided into age groups. The schedule of competition performances is very tight (one day per nomination category) and this makes the jury’s work considerably easier. There were four nominations in this competition: A and B (Elementary: 10 and 15 minutes, respectively, with a compulsory etude, but the program is left to the contestant’s discretion); C (25 minutes, including a sonata movement and a virtuoso piece); and D (Advanced: a movement from a concerto for two pianos). The contestants were free to choose a category; 14 out of 47 young pianists vying in the Horowitz Debut performed in two categories. Since there was an optional program, the competitions performances were versatile and sophisticated, proof that the contestants had set themselves high requirements. The stage was decorated with eight national flags, signifying the participants and members of the jury (Ukraine, Belarus, Germany, China, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and the US).

The winners of the 1st Degree Diploma in Nomination A are: Daria Bukhartseva (Odesa) and Dmytro Boliak (Kerch); Nomination B: Nadiya Kyseliova (Kerch); Nominations C and D: Khrystyna Sapeliak (Kharkiv). Other diplomas and prizes went to students of the Lysenko College of Music and other Kyiv music schools, and to young pianists from Kerch, Luhansk, Fastiv, and Alchevsk. They also took part in the finale concert, which featured Nomination D winners performing with the orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine. Some prizes were shared among the performers, while others were not awarded at all. Three young pianists won special prizes.

The jury was headed by the noted musician and teacher Valery Kozlov. There was also a student jury made up of 3rd and 4th year piano students from the Gliere College of Music. Anton Hryshanin, head of the student jury, said that the student and official jury adjudications “almost tallied” during the competition.

The competition performances took place at the Kyiv House of Scholars, which was packed during all four days of the competition. Most of the contestants were from Ukraine. Without a doubt, the Kyiv public, which knows little about provincial piano schools, was pleasantly surprised by the contestants’ professional level.

Leaving subjective emotions aside (not easy thing, since the small, elegantly dressed, and very serious-looking performers made a very touching sight and aroused much empathy, as all children do when they sacrifice the joys of childhood for an adult occupation), speaking objectively, I must say their professional level was very high. They sat at the piano in a very enchantingly natural way and many interpretations were marked by a true musician’s will, and bold and beautiful sound. The little players displayed remarkable self-control, which is usually found in a mature professional musician.

The children played for the audience’s enjoyment and their own. They displayed so much artistry, original approaches, confidence, and so much emotion that it was hard to distinguish between better and worse performers, flaws notwithstanding.

I made another discovery during the competition: although special features of pianistic, musical individuality are developed in the course of study, they are vibrantly expressed from childhood. That was precisely why it was so exciting and interesting at the concert hall of the House of Scholars, and no comments on the performers’ age are necessary. However, it is worth noting that some of the contestants were only 8 or 9 years old. The Horowitz Debut was a first appearance for only a few of them. Almost every photo in the concert program is accompanied by a concrete “service record”: most of the participants in the youngest age group are laureates and recipients of diplomas from countless other music competitions.

Impressions differed as to interpretations. First, despite the widespread cliche, the audience was not stupid. From the very first chords it was either attentively and admiringly silent, or involuntarily distracted: then pages of booklets could be heard rustling and whispers went through the hall as people discussed the competition.

At the press conference following the end of the competition, Valery Kozlov, the head of the jury, specified the criteria the jury members followed in choosing the winners: talent and professionalism, to which he added charm. The jury was almost unanimous in awarding the prizes. Valery Kozlov noted the high level of provincial piano schools and expansion of the geographic scope of the competition; this year Mexico and the United States sent competitors.

Jury member Jan Popis (Poland) said that he and his colleagues found it difficult to make a choice despite the six prizes in every nomination, because there were so many talented musicians. He also noted the publication of new and interesting studies of the lives of outstanding musicians, which contain previously unknown information. In particular, Yuri Zilberman, director general of the contest, is the author of a fundamental book about the Kyiv period of Vladimir Horowitz’s life (Vladimir Horowitz’s Kyiv Symphony).

The closing ceremony was a festive occasion not only for the winners and their teachers and parents, but also for the public. It was very touching to see the young musicians presenting flowers to their colleagues, a sign that the competition was free of envy and ill-wishing. These young pianists are taking their first steps on the professional road. Even if this time some were not lucky, the Kyiv competition showed just how much talent there is. Who knows, maybe their names will one day shine like bright stars over the Olympus of piano.