Pianist:

Alexander Kobrin

Competition:

Chopin Competition, Warsaw (pol)

Source:

http://www.classicalarchives.com/artists/kobrin.html

Date:

1-8-2003

This web site hails Alexander Kobrin as the winner of the first prize in the 14th Chopin Competition (Warsaw, 2000). In reality, Kobrin won 3rd prize. (The first-prize winner was Yundi Li.)

Reaction:

Alexander Kobrin told Gustav that he was also very amazed himself about this announcement on the web site. He had been unaware of it.

Meanwhile, the website has been corrected, and mentions Kobrin as "a prizewinner" of the Chopin Competition.

Pianist:

Mikhail Maikov

Competition:

Rachmaninov Competition, Pasadena (CA, usa)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the Vendome Prize, 2003

Date:

12-7-2003

The booklet lists Mikhail Maikov as the winner of the Rachmaninov Competition in Pasadena, 2002. In reality, he was a semi-finalist (not even finalist). Winner of this Rachmaninov competition was Yevgeni Mikhailoff.

Pianist:

David Campignon

Competition:

Concours Maria Canals, Barcelona (esp)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the William Kapell International Piano Competition, 2003

Date:

16-7-2003

The programme booklet gives brief biographies of all contestants. For one of them, David Campignon (from Japan/Belgium), is written: "He has received numerous honors including finalist status at the Maria Canals Competition in Barcelona ..."

What is meant by 'finalist status'? Everyone would then think he was a finalist.

In reality however, Mr. Campignon took part in the Maria Canals Competition three times, between 1998 and 2003, having his best success in 2000 when he was admitted to the second round, but not to the finals.

Pianist:

Angela Cheng

Competition:

Arthur Rubinstein Competition, Tel-Aviv (isr)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the William Kapell International Piano Competition, 2003

Date:

16-7-2003

Angela Cheng from Canada has won many prizes. Publications mention, amongst other achievements, that she won "the Gold Medal" at the 1986 Arthur  Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition.

Naturally, people who read this, would think that she won the first prize. However, she received third prize in this competition. It is true, though, that her third prize included a Gold medal. The Rubinstein Competition awarded the first, second, and third prizewinners with gold medals. But it is a little misleading to state that she received 'The Gold Medal' …

Pianist:

Yundi Li

Competition:

Liszt Competition, Utrecht (hol)

Source:

DGG CD

Date:

1-2-2003

On his CD with DGG (Deutsche Gramophone Gesellschaft), Chopin Competition winner Yundi Li is described as the winner of the Liszt Competition in Utrecht 1999.

In reality, he won third prize in this competition.

Pianist:

Boris Feiner

Competition:

Concorso "Città di Senigallia" (AN, it)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, 2003

Date:

3-9-2003

At the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2003, the competition programme book wrote about contestant Boris Feiner that he won First Prize in the Senigallia International Competition, 2001.

Actually, in that year the first prize was not awarded, and Feiner won second prize.

Pianist:

Roberto Prosseda

Competition:

MozartWettbewerb, Salzburg (a)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, 2003

Date:

3-9-2003

At the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2003, the competition programme book wrote about contestant Roberto Prosseda that he was "Winner" of the 7th Mozart Piano Competition in Salzburg.

Actually, he was a finalist and received a special prize in that competition.

(First, second and third prize in that 7th Mozart Competition in Salzburg went to: Irma Kliauzaite, Cristina Marton and Mami Kino respectively.)

Pianist:

Masa Tayama

Competition:

Konzerteum Competition, Piraeus (gr)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, 2003

Date:

3-9-2003

At the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2003, the competition programme book wrote about contestant Masa Tayama that he had received the "Grand Konzerteum Prize" in the Grand Konzerteum International Piano Competition 2000.

This would suggest that he won the first prize.

Actually, he shared the second prize in that competition (with Nicolas Bringuier). The first prize had not been awarded.

Pianist:

Gottlieb Wallisch

Competition:

Queen Elisabeth Competition, Brussels (b)

Source:

Competition programme booklet for the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, 2003

Date:

3-9-2003

At the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2003, the competition programme book wrote about contestant Gottlieb Wallisch that he had been a Laureate at the 1999 Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium.

Actually, he had been one of the finalists who did not receive one of the six main prizes.

The official rules of the Queen Elisabeth Competition specifically state that only the winners of the first to the sixth prize are named "Laureates" of the competition (rule 107). The remaining six finalists receive a diploma entitling them as "Finalists" (rule 108).

However, the Queen Elisabeth Competition itself has also referred to former finalists such as Gottlieb Wallisch, as Laureates! Therefore, one should not think too seriously about the precise usage of such titles in these cases.

Pianist:

Brigitte Engerer

Competition:

Queen Elisabeth Competition, Brussels (b)

Source:

http://www.transartuk.com/engerer/

Date:

1-9-2003

This web site gives completely wrong information regarding French pianist Brigitte Engerer.

The web site says: "Between 1969 and 1979 Brigitte Engerer won first prizes in perhaps the world's three most important competitions: the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Queen Elisabeth in Brussels."

Brigitte Engerer is an excellent pianist with good reputation, but she did not win any of these three important competitions. In 1969, she received the 6th prize in the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, in 1974 she shared again 6th prize in the Tchaikovsky Competition, and she had 3rd prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, 1978.

Excellent results, and there is no need at all (and very wrong indeed) to say that she won first prizes in these competitions.

Pianist:

Brigitte Engerer

Competition:

Tchaikovsky Competition, Moscow (Russia)

Source:

http://www.transartuk.com/engerer/

Date:

1-9-2003

This web site gives completely wrong information regarding French pianist Brigitte Engerer.

The web site says: "Between 1969 and 1979 Brigitte Engerer won won first prizes in perhaps the world's three most important competitions: the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Queen Elisabeth in Brussels."

Brigitte Engerer is an excellent pianist with good reputation, but she did not win any of these three important competitions. In 1969, she received the 6th prize in the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, in 1974 she shared again 6th prize in the Tchaikovsky Competition, and she had 3rd prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, 1978.

Excellent results, and there is no need at all (and very wrong indeed) to say that she won first prizes in these competitions.

Pianist:

Brigitte Engerer

Competition:

Concours Marguerite Long, Paris (f)

Source:

http://www.transartuk.com/engerer/

Date:

1-9-2003

This web site gives completely wrong information regarding French pianist Brigitte Engerer.

The web site says: "Between 1969 and 1979 Brigitte Engerer won won first prizes in perhaps the world's three most important competitions: the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Queen Elisabeth in Brussels."

Brigitte Engerer is an excellent pianist with good reputation, but she did not win any of these three important competitions. In 1969, she received the 6th prize in the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, in 1974 she shared again 6th prize in the Tchaikovsky Competition, and she had 3rd prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, 1978.

Excellent results, and there is no need at all (and very wrong indeed) to say that she won first prizes in these competitions.

Pianist:

Petr Ovtcharov

Competition:

Junior Tchaikovsky Competition (rus-jpn-chn)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Xiamen, 2002

Date:

18-10-2002

On the last pages of the programme book for the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was held in Xiamen (China, October 2002), the results are mentioned of the previous (3rd) Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (which was held in St. Petersburg, 1997).

However, what is written is completely different from the actual results in 1997!

Petr Ovtcharov is listed as 3rd prizewinner, although he actually did better: he had shared the 2nd prize! (with Yeol Eum Son who is not listed at all)

It is most astonishing to see that a competition "changes" its own results!

Even the organiser himself sent the same (different) results to Gustav Alink in one of his e-mail messages, when Gustav was asking for the results of the 1997 competition.

(Later, Gustav could obtain the official results from 1997, through different channels. When Gustav wrote to the organiser again, asking for an explanation, no reply was ever received.)

Reaction:

When Gustav met the organiser in person, the organiser said that the original papers could not be found any more …

Pianist:

Yeol-Eum Son

Competition:

Junior Tchaikovsky Competition (rus-jpn-chn)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Xiamen, 2002

Date:

18-10-2002

On the last pages of the programme book for the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was held in Xiamen (China, October 2002), the results are mentioned of the previous (3rd) Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (which was held in St. Petersburg, 1997).

However, what is written is completely different from the actual results in 1997!

Yeol Eum Son (from South Korea) is not listed at all, although she had actually shared the 2nd prize! (with Petr Ovtcharov, who incidentally was also listed wrongly as 3rd prizewinner)

It is most astonishing to see that a competition "changes" its own results!

Even the organiser himself sent the same (different) results to Gustav Alink in one of his e-mail messages, when Gustav was asking for the results of the 1997 competition.

(Later, Gustav could obtain the official results from 1997, through different channels. When Gustav wrote to the organiser again, asking for an explanation, no reply was ever received.)

Reaction:

When Gustav met the organiser in person, the organiser said that the original papers could not be found any more …

Pianist:

Lisa Rah

Competition:

Junior Tchaikovsky Competition (rus-jpn-chn)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Xiamen, 2002

Date:

18-10-2002

On the last pages of the programme book for the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was held in Xiamen (China, October 2002), the results are mentioned of the previous (3rd) Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (which was held in St. Petersburg, 1997).

However, what is written is completely different from the actual results in 1997!

Lisa Rah (USA) is listed as 2nd prizewinner, although she had actually not passed the first round.

It is most astonishing to see that a competition "changes" its own results!

Even the organiser himself sent the same (different) results to Gustav Alink in one of his e-mail messages, when Gustav was asking for the results of the 1997 competition.

(Later, Gustav could obtain the official results from 1997, through different channels. When Gustav wrote to the organiser again, asking for an explanation, no reply was ever received.)

Reaction:

When Gustav met the organiser in person, the organiser said that the original papers could not be found any more …

Pianist:

Chun-chieh Yen

Competition:

Junior Tchaikovsky Competition (rus-jpn-chn)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Xiamen, 2002

Date:

18-10-2002

On the last pages of the programme book for the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was held in Xiamen (China, October 2002), the results are mentioned of the previous (3rd) Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (which was held in St. Petersburg, 1997).

However, what is written is completely different from the actual results in 1997!

Chun-chieh Yen (from Taiwan) is not listed at all, although this contestant had actually won the third prize. (On the same list, Petr Ovtcharov is listed as third-prize winner, although he had actually shared  the 2nd prize.)

It is most astonishing to see that a competition "changes" its own results!

Even the organiser himself sent the same (different) results to Gustav Alink in one of his e-mail messages, when Gustav was asking for the results of the 1997 competition.

(Later, Gustav could obtain the official results from 1997, through different channels. When Gustav wrote to the organiser again, asking for an explanation, no reply was ever received.)

Reaction:

When Gustav met the organiser in person, the organiser said that the original papers could not be found any more …

Pianist:

Polina Kondratkova

Competition:

Junior Tchaikovsky Competition (rus-jpn-chn)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Xiamen, 2002

Date:

18-10-2002

On the last pages of the programme book for the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was held in Xiamen (China, October 2002), the results are mentioned of the previous (3rd) Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians (which was held in St. Petersburg, 1997).

However, what is written is completely different from the actual results in 1997!

Polina Kondratkova is listed as third-prize winner, together with Petr Ovtcharov. However, Polina Kondratkova seemed not to have participated in the competition at all, and Petr Ovtcharov had actually shared the 2nd prize.)

It is most astonishing to see that a competition "changes" its own results!

Even the organiser himself sent the same (different) results to Gustav Alink in one of his e-mail messages, when Gustav was asking for the results of the 1997 competition.

(Later, Gustav could obtain the official results from 1997, through different channels. When Gustav wrote to the organiser again, asking for an explanation, no reply was ever received.)

Reaction:

When Gustav met the organiser in person, the organiser said that the original papers could not be found any more …

Pianist:

Wen-yin Chan

Competition:

Junior Chopin Competition, Moscow (Russia)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Piano-e-Competition in Minneapolis, June 2002

Date:

4-6-2002

The programme book contains some biographical info on the contestants.

Regarding one of them, Wen-yin Chan from Taiwan (who went on to win 6th prize in this competition), is written that she was the first-prize winner of the Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow, 1996.

However, she had not reached the final stage.

(First prize in this Chopin competition was shared between Fedor Amirov and Dong-Min Lim, while the second prize went to Dong-Hyek Lim. In total, there were eight finalists in this competition.)

Reaction:

Also this is an example where the pianist is not to blame for the misleading information.
Wen-yin Chan writes that that the mistake was made by the Piano-e-Competition, and that the organisers wrote her an apology by e-mail.

Pianist:

NN

Competition:

Newport Competition (gb)

Source:

Competition programme book for the Schubert Competition in Dortmund, September 2003

Date:

20-9-2003

The programme book writes about one of the participants having won the First Prize in the Newport International Piano Competition 1997.

However, this pianist was semi-finalist in this competition, and not one of the three finalists.

(First prize in the 1997 Newport Competition went to Boris Giltburg from Israel, second was Russian Olga Papakian, while Dirk Mommertz from Belgium received the third prize.)

Pianist:

Hubert Salwarowski

Competition:

Concours Maria Canals, Barcelona (esp)

Source:

Competition programme book for the first Taiwan International Piano Competition, Taipei, September 2003

Date:

3-10-2003

The programme book mentions about contestant Hubert Salwarowski from Poland that he won the first prize at the 1995 Maria Canals International Competition in Barcelona.

However, Gustav Alink who has the names of all 3534 pianists who ever applied for the Maria Canals Competition (since the start in 1954 until the present) could not find his name. 

When asking Hubert, he clarified that it concerned the competition for young pianists which has also been organised in Barcelona, by the same organisation that runs the well-known Maria Canals Competition. It was sometimes also referred to as the "Ars Nova" Competition.

A little confusing, since most people know about the major Maria Canals Competition which usually attracts many pianists.

Pianist:

Yu-lin Shen

Competition:

Concours Printemps de Prague (cz)

Source:

Competition programme book for the first Taiwan International Piano Competition, Taipei, September 2003

Date:

3-10-2003

The programme book mentions about contestant Shen Yu-lin from Taiwan that she was the grand prize winner of the Prague Piano Competition 2001.

This is strange, because the well-known "Printemps de Prague"(Prague Spring / Prager Fruehling) Competition was not for piano in 2001. 

When Gustav asked Shen Yu-lin about this, she said that this was simply the name of the competition: a national competition which is held in Taichung (Taiwan).

It is indeed very confusing when national competitions are named after famous cities where well-known international music competitions are held!

Pianist:

Valentina Igoshina

Competition:

Queen Elisabeth Competition, Brussels (b)

Source:

Competition programme book for the 5th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, November 2003

Date:

5-11-2003

The programme book of the 5th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition mentions about Russian pianist/contestant Valentina Igoshina that she had been a laureate of the 2003 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels.

This is the same mistake as was the case with Gottlieb Wallisch.

Both have been among the finalists in Brussels (Wallisch in 1999, Igoshina in 2003) who did not recieve one of the six main prizes.

The official rules of the Queen Elisabeth Competition specifically state that only the winners of the first to the sixth prize are named "Laureates" of the competition (rule 107). The remaining six finalists receive a diploma entitling them as "Finalists" (rule 108).

However, the Queen Elisabeth Competition itself has also referred to former finalists such as Valentina, as Laureates. Therefore, one should not think too seriously about the precise usage of such titles in these cases.

Pianist:

Yves Rault

Competition:

Sydney Piano Competition (aus)

Source:

Newsletter (Dec./2003) of the Sydney Competition

Date:

1-12-2003

The Sydney International Piano Competition issues a most interesting Newsletter in which they also write about what has happened to past winners and contestants, under the title "Successes of previous Prize-winners and Competitors".

Quite embarrassing, however, is what they wrote in the December 2003 issue of this Newsletter.

Recalling the year 1981, Yves Rault was one of the contestants in Sydney. (He then shared 11th place, together with Edward Newman, and he went on to win prizes in Santander, Porto, Marsala and Epinal.) The Newsletter writes about him: "Yves Rault is a renowned French pianist now on the international circuit."

In Sydney, one seems not to know that Yves Rault died more than 10 years ago ...

Yves Rault was indeed a fine pianist. Gustav, and many other people, will remember Yves as a very nice person. It is most unfortunate and very much regretted that he died at such young age.

If the Sydney competition writes that he is now on the international circuit ... well, let's give it a wide interpretation and salute Yves on his outward journey.

Pianist:

Igor Roma

Competition:

Arthur Rubinstein Competition, Tel-Aviv (isr)

Source:

http://www.dekamervraag.nl/muziek/biografieen/igor_roma

Date:

1-5-2002

The Dutch web site page for concert pianist Igor Roma (http://www.dekamervraag.nl/muziek/biografieen/igor_roma) writes the following about him:

"... Roma won many national and international piano competitions, among which Dublin in 1994, Tel-Aviv in 1995 and the Franz Liszt Competition in 1996 ..."

It is absolutely true that Igor Roma was a straight winner of the Franz Liszt Competition in Utrecht 1996, but he did not win the other two competitions that are mentioned on that web site.

He received 6th prize in the Dublin Competition 1994, and ranked 5th in the Rubinstein Competition, Tel Aviv 1995. (Dublin 1994 was won by Davide Franceschetti, and the Rubinstein Competition 1995 was won by Alexander Korsantiya.

Pianist:

Igor Roma

Competition:

Dublin Piano Competition (irl)

Source:

http://www.dekamervraag.nl/muziek/biografieen/igor_roma

Date:

1-5-2002

The Dutch web site page for concert pianist Igor Roma (http://www.dekamervraag.nl/muziek/biografieen/igor_roma) writes the following about him:

"... Roma won many national and international piano competitions, among which Dublin in 1994, Tel-Aviv in 1995 and the Franz Liszt Competition in 1996 ..."

It is absolutely true that Igor Roma was a straight winner of the Franz Liszt Competition in Utrecht 1996, but he did not win the other two competitions that are mentioned on that web site.

He received 6th prize in the Dublin Competition 1994, and ranked 5th in the Rubinstein Competition, Tel Aviv 1995. (Dublin 1994 was won by Davide Franceschetti, and the Rubinstein Competition 1995 was won by Alexander Korsantiya.

Pianist:

Andrej Diev

Competition:

Japan Music Competition, Tokyo (jpn)

Source:

Books by Gustav Alink (October 1990)

Date:

1-11-1990

In his books "International Piano Competitions", Gustav Alink gives the names of approx. 15,000 pianists and lists their achievements in competitions. In total, approx. 43,000 results are compiled in this three-volume work which he published in 1990.

Unavoidably some mistakes can be found in these publications as well !

The most remarkable might be the mentioning of Russian pianist Andrej Diev as the 2nd prize winner of the Tokyo International Piano Competition 1986, while Gustav lists Ran Zemach from Israel as the 1st-prize winner.

Actually, these two pianists shared the first prize!

Pianist:

Ivan Klansky

Competition:

Busoni Competition, Bolzano (it)

Source:

http://www.naxos.com/naxos/naxos_marco_polo.htm

Date:

1-1-2004

On the web site of NAXOS records, one can find brief biographies of musicians.

NAXOS writes about Czech pianist Ivan Klansky that he "... embarked on an international career after winning first prize in the Bolzano International Piano Competition in 1967."

Ivan Klansky made indeed a good career, but he did not win the first prize in the Busoni Competition in Bolzano. In 1967, the first prize was not awarded and Klansky received second prize.

Pianist:

Bernd Glemser

Competition:

ARD Musikwettbewerb, München (frg)

Source:

http://www.naxos.com/naxos/naxos_marco_polo.htm

Date:

15-1-2004

On the web site of NAXOS records, one can find brief biographies of musicians.

NAXOS writes about German pianist Bernd Glemser:"... Since he won the ARD competition ..."

Bernd Glemser won many competitions, but in the 1987 ARD Competition he shared the second prize, together with Ricardo Castro.

Pianist:

David Kuijken

Competition:

Concurso de Santander (esp)

Source:

www.koncon.nl/public_site/KLASSIEK/KMteachers2001.html

Date:

13-9-2004

In the biography of Dutch pianist David Kuijken, as published on the web site of the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague (where he teaches, www.koncon.nl/public_site/KLASSIEK/KMteachers2001.html), it is stated that David Kuijken took second place in the 1990 Santander International Piano Competition.

In that year, he was indeed one of the finalists. The first prize was not awarded, and second prize went to Sergei Yerokhin. There were five other finalists who received special prizes and awards, but without any further classification or ranking.

Pianist:

Michael Hauber

Competition:

Piano Competition, Cleveland (OH, usa)

Source:

www.muho-mannheim.de/personal/Bios/hauber-michael.htm

Date:

13-9-2004

German Pianist Michael Hauber is a professor at the Musikhochschule Mannheim. The web site of the Hochschule gives biographical information about the teachers (www.muho-mannheim.de/personal/Bios/hauber-michael.htm).

There, it says that Michael Hauber was a finalist in the "Robert Casadesus" Piano Competition in Cleveland.

In 1989, he was indeed one of the contestants who were admitted to the semi-final stage. But he was not among the six finalists.

Pianist:

Rudolf Meister

Competition:

Source:

www.muho-mannheim.de

Date:

14-10-2004

The web site about German pianist Rudolf Meister (see under "Verwaltung" at www.muho-mannheim.de) mentions that he gained fame by winning international competitions.

Since Gustav knows the results of thousands of international piano competitions (3115 international piano competitions, to be precise, at the time of writing), and since Gustav has never come across any main prizes that Rudolf Meister would have won at the competitions in which he participated, Gustav asked him for an explanation.

Reaction:

Rudolf Meister wrote back to Gustav saying that he is "... not interested to see his competition successes mentioned in a book". He did not reveal which competitions he won.

During the correspondence that followed, Mr. Meister claimed that Gustav had misinterpreted his message, and that he has no objection to a publication of his prizes.

Pianist:

Ok-Hi Lee

Competition:

Concorso Viotti - Valsesia, Varallo Sesia (it)

Source:

www.muho-mannheim.de

Date:

14-10-2004

The web site about Ok-Hi Lee (see under "Personal" at www.muho-mannheim.de) mentions that she "won significant prizes in competitions (Vercelli and Pozzoli/Milano amongst others)".

The mentioning of Vercelli might suggest that it concerns the well-known "G.B. Viotti" Competition in Vercelli. However, it concerns the competition in Varallo Sesia (near Vercelli), where she had been admitted to the second round in 1990.

Her participation in the Pozzoli Competition in Seregno (near Milano) is more mysterious. Gustav has the official information about this competition complete, and there is no name (in the entire history of the competition) that even resembles her name ... so Gustav had serious doubt whether she had ever participated there.

Reaction:

When Gustav spoke with Ok-Hi Lee over the phone, she said she was sure to have been in the Pozzoli Competition, and even thought to remember the year. But even then, Gustav could not find any confirmation of this in his files. Mrs. Ok-Hi Lee promised to try and find the diploma or certificate which she received.

Pianist:

Ok-Hi Lee

Competition:

Concorso "Ettore Pozzoli", Seregno (it)

Source:

www.muho-mannheim.de

Date:

14-10-2004

The web site about Ok-Hi Lee (see under "Personal" at www.muho-mannheim.de) mentions that she "won significant prizes in competitions (Vercelli and Pozzoli/Milano amongst others)".

The mentioning of Vercelli might suggest that it concerns the well-known "G.B. Viotti" Competition in Vercelli. However, it concerns the competition in Varallo Sesia (near Vercelli), where she had been admitted to the second round in 1990.

Her participation in the Pozzoli Competition in Seregno (near Milano) is more mysterious. Gustav has the official information about this competition complete, and there is no name (in the entire history of the competition) that even resembles her name ... so Gustav had serious doubt whether she had ever participated there.

Reaction:

When Gustav spoke with Ok-Hi Lee over the phone, she said she was sure to have been in the Pozzoli Competition, and even thought to remember the year. But even then, Gustav could not find any confirmation of this in his files. Mrs. Ok-Hi Lee promised to try and find the diploma or certificate which she received.

Pianist:

Kaya Han

Competition:

Concours Musicale (CIEM), Genève (ch)

Source:

http://www.hfm-karlsruhe.de

Date:

16-10-2004

The web site about Kaya Han, who teaches at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Karslruhe (see www.hfm-karlsruhe.de click on Studium and then Dozentenverzeichnis) mentions that she won the Geneva Competition in 1988.

In actual fact, she received third prize. The first and second prize were not awarded, and the two other finalists (Michelle Mares and Makoto Ueno) were also given the third prize, and the distinction was made that among these three third-prizewinners, Michelle Mares ranked first ("première nommée"), Makoto Ueno  second, and .... Kaya Han ranked third …

Pianist:

Vladimir Krainev

Competition:

Leeds Piano Competition (gb)

Source:

Competition programme book for the 6th International Paderewski Competition, November 2004

Date:

6-11-2004

The programme book mentions that Vladimir Krainev first prizes at international contests in Lisbon, Leeds and the Tchaikovsky in Moscow. This is all true, except for the one in Leeds. Krainev won second prize in Leeds (1963), while in that year the first prize went to Michael Roll.

Pianist:

Gabriel Tacchino

Competition:

Concours Musicale (CIEM), Genève (ch)

Source:

Concert programme 2004/2005 Orchestre Regional Cannes Provence

Date:

10-10-2004

The concert programme of the Orchestre Regional Cannes-Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur mentions about soloist Gabriel Tacchino that he won "les Premiers Grands Prix" (the first prizes) in the following competitions: Viotti (Vercelli), Busoni (Bolzano), Geneva, and Casella (Naples).

He won indeed Vercelli and the Casella Competition, but he did not get the first prize in the Busoni nor in Geneva.

Tacchino was placed second in the Busoni Competition (1954), while Aldo Mancinelli received the Busoni prize (first prize).

In Geneva (1955), Tacchino shared the second prize with Malcolm Frager, and the jury did not award the first prize.

Pianist:

Gabriel Tacchino

Competition:

Busoni Competition, Bolzano (it)

Source:

Concert programme 2004/2005 Orchestre Regional Cannes Provence

Date:

10-10-2004

The concert programme of the Orchestre Regional Cannes-Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur mentions about soloist Gabriel Tacchino that he won "les Premiers Grands Prix" (the first prizes) in the following competitions: Viotti (Vercelli), Busoni (Bolzano), Geneva, and Casella (Naples).

He won indeed Vercelli and the Casella Competition, but he did not get the first prize in the Busoni nor in Geneva.

Tacchino was placed second in the Busoni Competition (1954), while Aldo Mancinelli received the Busoni prize (first prize).

In Geneva (1955), Tacchino shared the second prize with Malcolm Frager, and the jury did not award the first prize.

Pianist:

Mayumi Sakamoto

Competition:

Leeds Piano Competition (gb)

Source:

Competition programme book for the 15th International Chopin Competition, Warsaw, October 2005

Date:

1-10-2005

The programme book of the 15th Chopin Competition in Warsaw mentions about Mayumi Sakamoto that she won the second prize in the Leeds Competition 2003.

However, it must have been a misreading or misinterpretation by somebody, because Mayumi had reached the second stage in the Leeds Competition.

Pianist:

Colleen Ka-Ling Lee

Competition:

Leeds Piano Competition (gb)

Source:

Competition programme book for the 6th Vladimir Horowitz Competition, Kiev, April 2005

Date:

14-4-2005

The programme book of the 6th International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz (Kiev, Ukraine, 2005) mentions about Colleen Lee that she had 2nd prize in the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, 2003.

However, she was one of the second stage contestants in the Leeds Competition 2003.

Pianist:

Piotr Anderszewski

Competition:

Leeds Piano Competition (gb)

Source:

Programme book of the Music Centre Vredenburg, Utrecht (Holland), March 2006

Date:

1-3-2006

The programme listing of the Music Centre Vredenburg in Utrecht (Holland) announces the recital of Pianist Piotr Anderszewski for March 22, 2006, and mentions that was the winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition.

On Piotr's own website (www.anderszewski.net), he describes precisely and correctly what had happened at the Leeds Competition in 1990: Piotr had excellently performed Beethoven's Diabelli Variations in the third stage of the competition, and he stopped his performance of the next piece, Webern's Variations (Op. 27).

He was not admitted to the finals.

In a sense, considering the great career he made afterwards, one could say that Piotr Andreszewski can indeed be regarded as the true winner of the competition in Leeds, that year. But, without mentioning the whole story, it is wrong of Music Centre Vredenburg to give the impression that Piotr won the competition. (The first prize went to Artur Pizarro.)

Pianist:

Alexandre Tharaud

Competition:

Concorso "Città di Senigallia" (AN, it)

Source:

Booklet of Rameau CD

Date:

1-1-2002

Alexandre Tharaud recorded a wonderful CD with works by Rameau. The booklet that comes with it, however, mentions that Tharaud was the winner of the first prizes in the Munich, Barcelona and Senigallia International Competitions.

Alexandre Tharaud won indeed the first prize in Senigallia (1988), but in the ARD Competition in Munich he received second prize (while the first prize went to Suzanne Gruetzmann), and in Barcelona (1987) he shared the third prize with Keiko Nakai (The first prize was not awarded, and Christopher Oakden won second prize.)

Interestingly, it is the English version in this booklet which contains the incorrect text. The French and German versions are correct in writing that Tharaud was a laureate and prizewinner.

Why did the translator erroneously add that it concerned the first prize in these three competitions?

Obviously, it was a person who does not know much about piano competitions, because he or she made two other mistakes, referring to the competition in Barcelona as the "Maria Casals" competition, though it is the "Maria Canals" Competition, and writing Senigaglia instead of Senigallia.

Alexandre Tharaud's recording of Rameau's Suites on this CD, however, is absolutely brilliant. And for one of his other CDs, he received the Classical Internet Award which he fully deserves.

Pianist:

Alexandre Tharaud

Competition:

Concours Maria Canals, Barcelona (esp)

Source:

Booklet of Rameau CD

Date:

1-1-2002

Alexandre Tharaud recorded a wonderful CD with works by Rameau. The booklet that comes with it, however, mentions that Tharaud was the winner of the first prizes in the Munich, Barcelona and Senigallia International Competitions.

Alexandre Tharaud won indeed the first prize in Senigallia (1988), but in the ARD Competition in Munich he received second prize (while the first prize went to Suzanne Gruetzmann), and in Barcelona (1987) he shared the third prize with Keiko Nakai (The first prize was not awarded, and Christopher Oakden won second prize.)

Interestingly, it is the English version in this booklet which contains the incorrect text. The French and German versions are correct in writing that Tharaud was a laureate and prizewinner.

Why did the translator erroneously add that it concerned the first prize in these three competitions?

Obviously, it was a person who does not know much about piano competitions, because he or she made two other mistakes, referring to the competition in Barcelona as the "Maria Casals" competition, though it is the "Maria Canals" Competition, and writing Senigaglia instead of Senigallia.

Alexandre Tharaud's recording of Rameau's Suites on this CD, however, is absolutely brilliant. And for one of his other CDs, he received the Classical Internet Award which he fully deserves.

Pianist:

Chiharu Aizawa

Competition:

Concorsi del Val Tidone - Premio Silvio Bengalli (it)

Source:

http://www.accademiadimusica.org/htm_data/festival2005/venerdi_15.htm

Date:

15-7-2005

On the website of Festival Estivo 2005 (concert 15 July 2005), pianist Chiharu Aizawa is said to have been the first prize winner of the “Concorso internazionale di Musica di Val Tidone” in 2001.

However, she received second prize, while the first prize was withheld.

Pianist:

Anna Gingis

Competition:

Concorsi del Val Tidone - Premio Silvio Bengalli (it)

Source:

http://gingisacademy.com

Date:

1-3-2006

The Gingis School of Music has its own website where the awards of the school's founders, Nataly and Anna Gingis, are mentioned. Among these, it is stated that Anna Gingis was the 2000 Laureate of the Silvio Bengalli International Competition in Italy.

In reality, however, she indeed participated in this competition, but was eliminated in the first round.

Pianist:

Ivan Rudin

Competition:

Leschetizky Competition, Taichung (tai)

Source:

Programme book of the 2006 Leeds Int'l Pianoforte Competition

Date:

6-9-2006

In the programme book of the 2006 Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, it is mentioned for one of the contestants, Ivan Rudin, that he won third prize in the Leshetitzky International Piano Competition.

He was indeed a finalist in this competition in Taichung (2000), in which many pianists took part. However, Rudin shared 4th prize with Mee-Hyun Ahn, while the 3rd prize was not awarded. (The first prize went to Ju Jin, while the second prize went to Naomi Iwase.)

Pianist:

Annalisa Londero

Competition:

Concurso José Iturbi, Valencia (esp)

Source:

www.kulturkreis-gasteig.de/de/veranstaltungen/2004

Date:

1-1-2005

This website still has the announcement of a concert that Annalisa Londero gave in Gasteig (Muenchen, 10 July 2004). She was said to have won first prizes in the competitions in Porto and Valencia ("Jose Iturbi").

However, she won the fourth prize in Valencia and shared the second prize in Porto. (The winner in Porto was Yusuke Kikuchi.)

Reaction:

This is again an example where the concert organiser made a mistake. Annalisa Londero is not to be blamed for this. She is an excellent pianist who never wrote about prizes which she did not win.

Pianist:

Annalisa Londero

Competition:

Concurso do Porto (prt)

Source:

www.kulturkreis-gasteig.de/de/veranstaltungen/2004

Date:

1-1-2005

This website still has the announcement of a concert that Annalisa Londero gave in Gasteig (Muenchen, 10 July 2004). She was said to have won first prizes in the competitions in Porto and Valencia ("Jose Iturbi").

However, she won the fourth prize in Valencia and shared the second prize in Porto. (The winner in Porto was Yusuke Kikuchi.)

Reaction:

This is again an example where the concert organiser made a mistake. Annalisa Londero is not to be blamed for this. She is an excellent pianist who never wrote about prizes which she did not win.