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stefanos's blog

the day after...

Yes, I forgot to thank the people in the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) for the chance they provided to have this blog during the competition. Thank you very much, it was a pleasant experience, I really appreciate it!

Parhain terveisin!

Stefanos

Day 14 - Concerto Final II

The competition is over -the results are announced. The rest of the finalists played today wih the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under a fantastic -and very careful- Leif Segerstam. It was the turn of Irina Zahharenkova with Chopin's 1st, followed by Marko Mustonen with Tchaikovsky 1st. After the intermission Sofya Gulyak closed this competition with Rachmaninov 3rd.

Day 13 - Concerto Final I

In the middle of the heat -and other big events here in Helsinki- started today the very final stage of this competition. Half of the finalists performed their concerto of choice (from this list: Bartók no. 2 or 3, Beethoven no. 3, 4 or 5, Brahms no. 1 or 2, Chopin no. 1 or 2, Englund no. 1, Grieg, Liszt no. 1 or 2, Prokofiev no. 2 or 3, Rachmaninov no.

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!

Day 11

One would think that this is a free day, so no need to write something. Suddenly, I'm in the middle of an argument with a critic, who very kindly decided to make his point. What more can somebody wish for? It is very interesting to have this kind of debates publicly, especially in Finland. (I caused it, I know, there's no complaint in the previous sentences...)

Day 10 - Chamber Music Final

Another lovely day here in Helsinki! I did listen the finalists. Brilliant performances by very different pianists; I will write on them something short tomorrow or after tomorrow. Excellent string players! Thank you!

Day 9

Another free day for most of us. The finalists -once again congartulations!- are practicing with the string players and the office is, well, open...

A few general things I'd like to write today.

First of all the audience: I found it quite cold. Don't be surprised, I can explain myself.

Day 8 - Round 2

A day full of great performances again. Maybe even better than yesterday... at least according to the jury; and probaby the audience if I judge from its reactions. 5 finalists from today, one from yesterday.

Day 7 - Round 2

A "bit" of listening today; I could handle listening the majority of the players today, my ears however, started ringing at some point in the afternoon, and I had to leave... In all, great playing, diverse pianists/musicians; didn't like everything, but that's natural.

Day 6

Free day today for most of us, not for the semi-finalists nor for the office assistants...

It's been fun reading some of the comments. They're mostly naive, aggressive, or ignorant. Somebody even claimed that the president of the jury doesn't vote, in both languages, luckily Risto-Matti corrected her/him (thank you for that!).

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