The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition starts in two weeks’ time at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, on Thursday, February 23. With a record 151 contestants, each of the young pianists, aged between 16 and 30, will play excerpts from their first chosen concerto, in the first stage with a piano accompanist. Then 24 of them will then be selected to go into the next round, when they will play from memory from a different concerto of their choice.
The semi-finals on Wednesday, March 12 will see 12 contestants taking part, from whom six will be chosen to go forward into the finals. These will take place over two evenings on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, with three pianists playing each evening, accompanied by the full Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).
The winner will receive a cheque for £10,000, plus the opportunity to perform solo with the RPO, and receive invitations to several other prestigious venues.
Tickets can be bought for all stages from the White Rock Theatre box office. Call 01424 462288 or visit www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk Tickets for the finals are £15 or £25 (per night) or £40 for both nights. For further information visit the competition website
Photo: HIPCC