Day 12

Second day of rehearsals with the Helsinki Philharmonic today -I guess the finalists from Thursday practiced today, while the ones from tomorrow yesterday... Interesting discussions in the comment sections -especially in the English one, where people from abroad can share their views with us in Finland. Thank you Tanel for a great -and in a personal level- encouraging comment!

It was interesting to listen the 6 finalists on Sunday, one after the other. Not only because they had to show more (or other) sides of their musical abilities than in the solo rounds, but mostly because they're 6 different pianists. I was surprised to see that at least 4 kinds of pianism -or musicianship if you wish- was represented in their playing; this in turn, tells me that the jury didn't have something in mind at the beginning of the competition -meaning that they were not looking for a specific way of playing- and certainly not even later. I have to make that previous statement, because lots of speculation has been done in the comment section, and conspiracy theories were revealed...

So, let's see the finalists, of which one (1) I heard in all three rounds until now, three (3) in the semi-final and the chamber music final, and two (2) just in te chamber music final -and in recordings on this site:
[this is definitely not a critique, just the personal expression of a peer]

Marko Mustonen, the first on Sunday, is the controlled kind of pianist. He owns a well rounded musicianship -he seems to be comfortable in all sorts of styles (maybe with a slight exception of contemporary music...). Brilliant technique. He is in need of concerts for certain things in the playing to come more easily in the surface, and I really hope -and wish him- to get them; not because of this -or other- competition(s), but because he deserves it. (message to Finnish concert organizers, festival directors, and definitely orchestra managers...)

Sofya Gulyak is the virtuoso kind of pianist -like many in this competition- just a class or two higher! I'm looking forward to the Rach 3 on Thursday, and I bet many other people do... and Segerstam conducting it! (by the way, she's the only finalist with two big works by the same composer in her competition program)

Irina Zahharenkova seems to know the instrument exceptionally well -obviously the music too: Ligeti and Kilpiö by heart. Great sound technique -diversity, clarity, power- and of course she's experienced and musical. Looks comfortable on stage -like Sofya.

Yoonjung Han is a talented young pianist. (what a cliché... I'm getting boring.) She has the technique, and the musicianship -I liked the Brahms. I didn't get a clear idea of which of her good sides she wants to bring to the surface. Maybe she will be an allround pianist, but as the second youngest finalist, I guess it will take her a year or two to discover herself.

Roope Gröndahl is impressive! Virtuoso as hell, very musical for his age (youngest competitor), and has a fiery temperament -at least on stage. He's a diamond -though uncut yet...

Violetta Khachikian is the musical -and spontaneous- kind of pianist. She's natural -inborn musicianship dominates her playing; Brahms was one more proof of that. She does things because music instructs them, not because of the piano's limitation.

Good luck to tomorrow's finalists Yoonjung, Violetta, Roope!

Cheers!

Tuesday, June 5th