LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC WOULD BE A MISTAKE No.4/1.05

Per aspera ad astra. Stairs to Heaven?

The need to compete is probably as old as humanity. From the youngest children to great rulers, it applies to every age, position, or profession. Why should artists be free from such desire?

Last time I mentioned that centuries ago, music tournaments were called 'concerts'. Over time, the name was reduced to public performances of musicians, but tournaments became called contests or competitions.

At first, musicians competed with each other privately. The reward was fame, sometimes a job. J.S. Bach (1685-1750) thus became a lifelong cantor in Leipzig.

Open, institutionalized competitions emerged in the 20th century.

Two of the oldest classical music competitions were: the yearly Naumburg Piano Competition in New York and the Chopin Piano Competition established in Warsaw in 1927 and held every five years, with only a break for World War II.

Once such competitions were a rare event. Nowadays, music competitions number in the thousands. That's why, as in the case of football clubs or universities, rankings have been created from amateur teams to the 'Ivy League'. Something for everyone according to their possibilities. From the oldest, only the Chopin Competition still plays in that Ivy League, with some much younger sisterly events.

Almost on the centenary of the 1st competition, the 19th edition of the International Chopin Piano Competition will take place in 2025. A record 642 pianists from 58 countries applied to participate, sending their records and CVs. Only 171 applications were accepted by the Jury for public live auditions in Warsaw, running just now in the National Philharmonic. The Jury will select 80 participants from the pre-elimination round to compete in the 1st stage of the Competition in October 2025.

And here begins the great fight for the Winner's Laurel. 40 candidates will go to the 2nd stage, twenty to the 3rd, and ten of the best from the best will go to the Final. A murderous struggle. That is why this competition is considered the Olympiad for pianists.

Per aspera ad astra. Through hardship to the stars. Would you like to climb?

This month, also in Kuwait, we will hold the 7th already Chopin Competition, our own, local, but already prestigious. The 1st edition was held in 1999. The contest is open to all musicians. Details available on KMA pages in all media. Applications are accepted until May 15th (with record). Participants approved by the Jury will be invited for a live audition on May 23 at KMS’s hall, but results and an open concert of winners of several prizes will be held at the prestigious hall of Dar Al Attar in Yarmouk (free entrance). I'd be delighted to meet you as participants and/or guests of such an extraordinary event.

Enough words.

Let us play: Chopin's Mazurkas Op. 59 by Martha Argerich.

Mazurkas are Polish folk dances. Chopin composed 59 such beautiful miniatures. Mazurkas are also beautifully decorated, delicious cakes for Easter. Mazurkas are also the name of lovely small birds.

That's right. Three meanings under one name: Music, sweets, and – wings. Let us play, taste & fly on the wings of song.

🎵 https://youtu.be/nAB5hMnKQ3M?si=S9mAUB1pQ_WTXYOH

Postscript: My warmest congratulations to my Dear Colleagues for such a successful SPRING CHAMBER CONCERT!

Written by

Cezary Owerkowicz

Co-founder of Kuwait Music Academy and

Director of Treasure of Talents Festival in Kuwait