WELCOME TO THE YOUNG PIANIST OF THE NORTH INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2011!

The fourth Young Pianist of the North International competition invites entries from pianists of all nationalities between the age of five and 18 inclusive.

TRIBUTE TO FERENZ LISZT

While the music world celebrates Liszt’s 200th anniversary, YPN 2011 pays its own tribute to the great master of Romanticism, including his works in the repertoire for the Main category.

THE JURY

As in the past years, the jury of the competition features stellar international pedagogical and musical expertise, in 2011 representing Finland, Germany, Russia and England. All contestants will have the unique opportunity to communicate directly with the members of the Jury and receive their views and advice in one-to-one consultations and during group feedback sessions and master classes.

The organizers are delighted to welcome professor Erik Tawaststjerna, from the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki, joining the Jury. Please visit the Jury page for further details.

AWARDS FOR LOCAL CONTESTANTS

One of the YPN aims is to promote and encourage young talented pianists from the North East region. The North of England Musical Tournament Trust, a local charity with a rich and engaging history, and the UK branch of Kawai are the generous sponsors of several prizes to be awarded to the local participants.

YOUNG ARTIST IN THE JURY

The organisers are delighted to announce Georgy Gromov (Russia) as the Young Artist in the Jury in 2011, following his first appearance in the role in 2010, and warmly congratulate him on winning the 1st prize at the Seoul International Music competition in May 2011.

The organisers would like to thank all candidates for their interest in the position. Applications for 2012 are invited and can be submitted at any time. Please contact YPN for the information on the criteria and conditions.

COMMENTS FROM YPN 2010

Young Pianist of the North would like to thank the participants, parents and tutors, the members of the jury and everyone who supported and helped the competition, for their warm words, well wishes, advice, appreciation and contribution to the event.

• England was great! The competition was fantastic!!
• It was a pleasure to play there! The atmosphere was warm and the organisation was flawless.
• The event was splendid. It was absolutely brilliant, seeing all those kids from round the world. We were really happy to be part of it!
• The winners were so impressive and the competition was so well organised! It has greatly motivated our two children, and we look forward to the next event with great interest and enthusiasm.
• My pupil’s parents told me how perfect was the organization of the Young Pianist of the North International Competition and how well they felt in Newcastle. I really want to thank you for your work building a wonderful opportunity for young pianists.
• We thoroughly enjoyed having a guest contestant to stay in our home and it was a lovely opportunity to discover the joys of classical piano. It was also an excellent opportunity for us and our children to learn something of another culture!
• It was yet another great success this year! I got a lot out of the experience, meeting other competitors and talking to the jury.
• We appreciated a lot the way the competition was organized and enjoyed greatly being there. The premises are outstanding, as well as the jury. The way the jury connected with children and gave them feedback and recommendations meant a lot to children. I appreciated a lot this particular approach of the Gosforth contest.
• This was a fantastic experience! The organization was really incredible, the atmosphere warm and positive! All the participants saw that you all gave your best to make us feel comfortable. The chance to talk in private with the jury was also a great revelation for me, I have never had such an opportunity before.
• Thank you for a wonderful competition, we look forward to coming back again!
• Our son greatly enjoyed himself in Newcastle and gained valuable experience. Our thanks are due to all involved for the work you put in to stage such a fine festival of music.
• It was fantastic time, my stay in Newcastle. Thank you for the excellent, warm atmosphere which made the competition unforgettable.