Finalists in this year’s competition are, from left, from left, Tommy Jing Yu Leo, 15, from London, England, the United Kingdom; Evelyn Mo, 16, of Oak Hill, Virginia, USA; Yaowen Mei, 18, of Wuhan, China; Misha Galant, 17, of San Ramon, California, USA; and Brian Le, 17, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
After three rounds of intense competition, five finalists were selected Thursday night, July 16, from the field of 22 musical virtuosos in the 2015 Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition. They will perform the final round — a movement of a concerto — with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, under Eastman School of Music conductor Neil Varon, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The top prizes will be announced and awarded afterward, at approximately 10:15 p.m.
The finalists are:
— Misha Galant, 17, of San Ramon, California, USA; performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30, Finale-Alla breve.
— Brian Le, 17, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA; performing Chopin’s Concerto No. 1 in E Minor Op. 11, Allegro maestoso.
—Tommy Jing Yu Leo, 15, from London, England, the United Kingdom; performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, Moderato.
— Yaowen Mei, 18, of Wuhan, China; performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, Moderato
— Evelyn Mo, 16, of Oak Hill, Virginia, USA; performing Chopin’s Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11, Allegro Maestoso.
Tickets to the final round of the Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition are $25 general admission (discounts with University of Rochester or student ID.) Tickets are available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 East Main St., (585) 454-2100, or online eastmantheatre.org
First prize in the Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition includes a Gold Medal, a cash award of $10,000, and a New York City Debut Concert on the DiMenna Center Piano Concert Series.. The second place winner will receive a Silver Medal and $5,000; third place carries a Bronze Medal and $3,000 award. The top three winners also are awarded Eastman School of Music undergraduate scholarships upon completion of admissions requirements. Additional prizes which will be announced during the awards ceremony include an Early Music Prize.
The final round concerto performance with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is made possible through the generosity of Ms. Deborah Ronnen and Mr. Sherman Levey.
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Saturday, July 18
Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition Final Round: Concerto Performances with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Neil Varon, conductor
7:30 p.m.
10 p.m.: Awards Ceremony
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.
Tickets: Tickets $25 (discounts to UR or student ID holders) are available in advance at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 East Main Street, (585) 454-2100, or online: eastmantheatre.org. This event made possible through the generosity of Ms. Deborah Ronnen and Mr. Sherman Levey.