“This is a competition to watch” International Piano Magazine, May 2023

The 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition will take place from 22 Feb – 2 March 2024 and entry is now open, by video audition. The deadline for entries is 15 September 2023, and full details of how to enter the competition are here www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org/2024-competition

The competition is generously supported by Steinway and Sons and will feature 45 entrants who will play live in Hastings over the period. A jury of 3, chaired by Artistic Director of Hastings International Piano, Vanessa Latarche, will select the entrants from the video submissions.

Hastings International Piano is delighted to announce a new partnership with Southbank Sinfonia who will accompany the semi-finals. The finals over two nights will be accompanied as before by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Both these rounds will be conducted by Rory MacDonald.

Another new departure for the competition is a commission for the solo round by American composer Lera Auerbach. This five minute test piece will be a compulsory entry for the solo round, and will be given its world premiere at this point.
Furthermore, a 2-year professional development programme has been created where finalists will receive mentoring, career advice, programming advice, performance opportunities and professional headshots from leading industry experts.

Vanessa Latarche, Artistic Director of Hastings International Piano, writes:
“I am thrilled with the recent developments for the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Southbank Sinfonia’s involvement offers an exciting opportunity for our competitors to play with another professional orchestra in the semi -finals in addition to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the finals. We are delighted that Lera Auerbach has agreed to compose a special test piece for the solo recital round, giving the competitors the chance to showcase their skill in contemporary repertoire. I am sure that this piece will have a long life well beyond the 2024 competition and we look forward to hearing our competitors’ interpretations of it. I thank the wonderful team of volunteers, piano hosts and host families that help make the competition happen.”

CONCERTO COMPETITION

First Prize – £15,000 plus future performance opportunities with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Finals over 2 nights with RPO
Semi-finals over 3 sessions with Southbank Sinfonia
First round 2 pianos playing sections of 2 concertos
2nd round solo recital round including new commission

JURY
Professor Vanessa Latarche – Jury President
Paul Hughes – UK
Piotr Paleczny – Poland
Eleanor Wong – Hong Kong
Fran Cruz Plaza – Spain
Pascal Escande – France
Norman Krieger – USA