In Monday’s (11/23) Gazette (Montreal), Arthur Kaptainis reports, “Jan Lisiecki, a 14-year-old Calgary pianist, has won the $10,000 grand prize in the 2009 [Montreal Symphony Orchestra] Standard Life Competition. The winning package includes a performance with the MSO in Place des Arts on Jan. 12, as well as engagements with the Newfoundland Symphony at the Orford Arts Centre and in Yellowknife. Lisiecki, who played nine of Chopin’s Op. 25 Études and the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 1, was a contestant in the younger Class B division of pianists. He takes home another $10,000 as the first prize in this division and $2,000 for the best performance of a Canadian work, Prelude by Marjan Mozetich. First prize in the Piano Class A division went to Tristan Longval-Gagné, a 21-year-old Quebecer. Wining first prize in percussion was 26-year-old Benjamin Duinker from Nova Scotia. These prizes also are worth $10,000. Second prizes, worth $5,000, went to Alexander Malikov, Meagan Milatz and Clara Warnaar.” Former League of American Orchestras President and CEO Henry Fogel served as president of the jury.
Posted November 24, 2009
