The_Hillwood_Herald: The San Jose International Piano Competition

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

The San Jose International Piano Competition started out as a small, local competition with 35 local contestants and $500 in prize money.

"It's hard to believe how much the competition has grown since our humble beginning back in 2000..." says competition President Dr. Irina Morgan in A Note From The President. "This year marks the competition's 16th Annual event, with over 100 contestants representing the following countries: Armenia, Canada, China, Columbia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, USA, and Vietnam. We are proud to have all of you here as a part of the competition!"

The Mayor of San Jose wrote a warm greeting letter to the attendees of the San Jose International Piano Competition to the city of San Jose.

"Wherever you choose to explore, I know you'll enjoy all our City has to offer. Congratulations and best wishes for a successful competition" writes Sam Liccardo, Mayor of San Jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley.

Eteri Andjaparidze

The Opening Gala Concert that took place on June 5, was truly something spectacular. Featuring the San Jose International Piano Competition's Judges, this was a night not to be missed! Performing were Krystian Tkaczewski, Eteri Andjaparidze, Pierre Reach, Namik Sultanov, and Antonio Pompa-Baldi.

Mr.Tkaczewski performed two waltzes by Chopin and the Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, also by Chopin. The performance was a great stage warmer, and Mr. Tkaczewski founded and served as artistic director and jury president of the First Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford. Mr. Tkaczewski gave a Chopin Lecture on Sunday, June 7, at the Trianon Theatre after the Junior Category for the Piano Competition went.

Ms. Andjaparidze performed a Polonaise by Chopin, Op. 53 in A flat Major, with lots of passion and emotion. She has performed "on the world's most prestigious concert series in solo and collaborative recitals and as guest soloist with major orchestras and leading conductors".

Krystian Tkaczewski

Mr. Reach, performing Choral by Bach and Carnaval, Op. 9 by Schumann, performed the two pieces with great glamour. "He founded the Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition at Bagnères de Bigorre and the International Piano Competition Paul Badura-Skoda in Vila-Seca".

Mr. Sultanov, who performed at last year's Opening Gala Concert, performed Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat major, Op. 61 by Chopin. Mr. Sultanov executed the piece with majestic inner grandeur and power.

Mr. Pompa-Baldi, who also performed at last year's Gala Concert and is the President of Jury, performed Grieg's Sonata, Op.7. Mr. Pompa-Baldi never ceases to surprise his audience with exciting dynamics and sudden character shifts within the piece. He began with lots of vigor and energy, making this victorious performance passionate from beginning to end. Mr. Pompa-Baldi flew in from China that same day, as I was informed by my neighbor in the audience.