PRESS RELEASE

RESULTS

2010 MARIA CALLAS GRAND PRIX for pianists
5 – 14 MARCH

The 36th edition of the MARIA CALLAS GRAND PRIX international piano competition already concluded. The final event took place at the Athens MEGARON of Music (Alexandra Trianti Hall) in the evening of March 14 and was executed – in the semi-final and final round - with the accompaniment of the Jassy Symphony Orchestra under Conductor Gheorghe Costin.  Among the distinguisted audience were ambassadors, government officials, well known Athinians, pianists, music critics and music lovers who enthusiastically expressed their approvement.

The prizes were awarded by Mr. Angelos Moschonas, President of the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Athens,  Mr. Michali Kyriakidis, of the P. Kyriakidis Publishing Organization, who is the sponsor of  the Maria Callas Grand Prix, the President of the International Jury Committee, reknown pianist and Professor, Vladimir Kraynev, the conductor Mrs. Louly Psychouly,  President of the Athenaeum, and the pianist, Mrs. Anna Koukouraki, General Secretary of the Athenaeum.

The required heavy program, seven concertos and a 55 minutes recital, kept the adrenaline of the competitors at high levels.  Well prepared candidates coming from all over the world  have tried their skills in four rounds - (in the semi-final they performed one whole concerto, plus one or two parts of a second concerto) - that lasted 10 long days,  placing the jurors in a difficult decision point. 

The Jury Committee consisting of great pianists and pedagogues has done a great job through the different stages and has given the best of their judgment receiving the approval of the audience.  

President of the Jury was Vladimir Kraynev, Russia.   
Other members were- in alphabetical order- Armen Babakhanyan, Armenia,  Homero Francesch, Uraguay,  Bernd Glemser, Germany, Pascal Godart, France, Sergio Perticaroli, Italia, Michail Voskresenskiy, Russia and  the two Greek reknowned artistis, Alkis Baltas, conductor and composer and Dimitri Toufexis, pianist and conductor.    

 
In spite of the outstanding level of the three finalists, the Jury, wishing to keep at very high standard a competition bearing the name of  Maria Callas, decided unanimously not to award the Grand Prix.   

The prizes were awarded to the three finalists as follows:

A 2nd Prize was awarded to Tomoaki Yoshida, Japan and two equal 3rd Prizes went to Ivan Rudin, Russia / Greece and Miyeon Lee, South Korea.

The organizing committee of the competition feels very happy with the pleasant atmosphere among the jury members, the advanced level of the contestants and the heart-warming involvement of the audience that waited patiently for the results, which were received with approval.  Also, the committee expresses their gratitude for the excellent cooperation with the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Athens.