Award winners of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition pose for a photo on the stage of Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 19, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
The competition took place at Kaufman Music Center in New York City from Oct. 14 to Oct. 19.
The International Piano Competition is part of a series of international cultural and arts events sponsored by NTD Television Network. The mission of this competition is to promote traditional arts of pure authenticity, pure goodness, and pure beauty.
In addition to piano pieces from the baroque, classical, or romantic periods, the competition features a special commissioned piece, rearranged from a vocal piece composed by Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts D.F.
This year’s commissioned piece, “Holy Grace,” a symphonic poem, is classical Chinese music for the piano.
Semifinal competitors had the chance to compete for the Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition.
A winners’ concert was held before the awards were announced. The concert featured performances by this year’s finalists, as well as special performances by Vladimir Petrov, the Gold Award winner of NTD’s 2019 International Piano Competition, and renowned pianists Kiron Atom Tellian, Arseniy Gusev, and Asiya Korepanova.
Robert Neumann from Germany performs in the finals of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 18, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Robert Neumann, winner of the Gold Award and the Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition, expressed that he enjoyed the Winner’s Concert.
“There were beautiful performances among them. ... There were very interesting performances. Some of them really touched me,” he said.
Shih-Yeh Lu from Taiwan performs in the finals of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 18, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Tang Hsing Lien from Taiwan performs in the finals of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 18, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Ching-Yi Lin from Taiwan performs in the finals of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 18, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Jean-Luc Therrien from Canada performs in the finals of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 18, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Asiya Korepanova performs in the Winner's Concert of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 19, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Korepanova has been following NTD’s Piano Competition for a number of years.
“It’s certainly a pleasure to be on stage among young stars, new stars, the winners, and the guest artists,” she said.
As someone who grew up in a musical family, music has always been an integral part of her life.
“It’s a way to uplift [the listener], to make their lives more colorful. Music is very consoling, very inspiring. It helps you. It supports you. It makes your life more wondrous and more emotionally rich in many, many ways,” Korepanova said.
Vladimir Petrov performs in the Winner's Concert of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 19, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Petrov returned to the stage in this competition for the Winner’s Concert.
“Really, it’s an honor for me to be here,” he said.
“Holy Grace,” the commissioned piece of this year’s competition, left a deep impression on Petrov.
“The performance was great. It was very deep and meaningful. I really enjoyed it,” he said.
Arseniy Gusev performs in the Winner's Concert of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 19, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
Guest artist Arseniy Gusev also played during the Winner’s Concert.
Gusev was intrigued by the piece “Holy Grace,” especially by its “bell-like” opening and its Chinese melodies.
“I liked how it was connected to the tradition of Chinese music,” he said.
After hearing the piece, Gusev said he would like the opportunity to play it.
“When you hear the piece as a listener and you start working on it as a pianist, you discover many different things,” he said.
Kiron Atom Tellian performs in the Winner's Concert of NTD's Seventh International Piano Competition at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City on Oct. 19, 2024. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times
