In Tuesday’s (7/31) Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), Theodore P. Mahne writes, “As the Summer Olympics are underway in London, equal feats of dexterity, precision, endurance and athleticism were on display at Loyola University this week as the 2012 New Orleans International Piano Competition wrapped up Sunday afternoon. Following a thrilling trio of recitals, Bulgarian Viktor Valkov won the gold medal playing a virtuoso program that spanned three centuries of works for the keyboard. In addition to the gold medal, Valkov receives $15,000 in prize money and performance fees, and scheduled guest solo appearances with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, and the Acadiana Symphony in Lafayette. Representing the United States, South Korean-born Sejoon Park took the silver medal, along with $10,000. Russian pianist Evgeny Brakhman won the third-place medal, along with $5,000. The three finalists, chosen from a dozen semifinalists from across the world, also will return to Loyola’s Roussel Hall in February for a ‘Concerto Showcase’ concert with the LPO. … The 12 finalists for this year’s competition were chosen from more than 100 applicants in a recorded preliminary round. Those were pared down to 30 competitors, and then to the dozen semifinalists invited to perform in the live concert competition rounds.”
Posted July 31, 2012
