Excited for tonight's award ceremony? Us too! In celebration of our six contenders, we've compiled highlights as a showcase of their resilience and dedication (not that you needed reminding).
Tone poems and piano concertos seem to be written for Philipp. His effortless shifts between moments of bouncy arpeggios and dire runs mark this pianist's singular style. Audiences were impressed with his Liszt and his balance between his playing and the orchestra's; it takes a careful ear to adjust your playing depending on who's accompanying you - is it brass or the woodwinds? The dual edge and flexibility of Philipp's playing imbues his performance with layers of emotional coloring.
Philipp Lynov
What would Bartók say about Vitaly? One can only wonder, but we have a hunch that he would be nodding in approval. His Piano Concerto No. 2, despite its difficulty, did not seem to pose the slightest threat to Vitaly's virtuosic playing. Flying unencumbered through passages and octave work, Vitaly expertly navigated changes in tempo to land in a fiery cadenza that left the Cliburn audience wondering what hit them, and if there would be more of Vitaly's spirited playing.
Vitaly Starikov
A Minneapolis native, Evren stunned audience with his attention to clarity and introspection. The first movement of Beethoven’s Concerto No. 4 in G major floated on clouds of shifting colors, with legato chords scale movements stretched out as long as possible. So reflective was his interpretation that audiences clapped in between movements - quite a flattering show of approval!
Evren Ozel
Aristo and Brahms seem to go way back: his rendition of Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major is breathtaking, with ferocity and subtlety going hand in hand (a surprising pair!) His performances are marked by his composure and complete control of the keys - a telling sign of a mature pianist with a future that keeps getting brighter.
Aristo Sham
Carter is masterful in his repertoire - especially when it comes to the German greats. Bach and Schumann are no match for Carter's emotional interpretations, drawing inspiration from the loved ones in his life. Did you know that Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze might just be his favorite piece to play? This set of 18 dances characterizes different sides of Schumann's personality. Carter is currently at the Yale School of Music studying for his doctorate.
Carter Johnson
Angel's strong interpretations have captivated the Cliburn audience this year - but it wouldn't be the first time! Winner of the 2023 Tchaikovsky Competition and more than 35 international competitions, there's a strong chance that Angel will be coming to a town near you in the near future. Having performed at major concert halls in Europe, Asia, and North America, Angel's international momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Angel Stanislav Wang
Good luck to those performing today and fantastic job to those who have already graced the stage earlier this week!