Jury Competition

Born in Lviv, Ukraine in 1960, Sergei Edelmann represents a direct link to an outstanding piano tradition of Felix Blumenfeld and Heinrich Neuhaus. In his native country, Sergei\'s first orchestral performance was at the age of 10 playing Beethoven's First Piano Concerto. He subsequently performed extensively in recitals and with orchestras throughout ex-USSR. After immigrating to the United States in 1979 and immediately winning the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Mr. Edelmann has quickly established himself as a significant and highly acclaimed pianist of his generation, frequently being compared to the likes of Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein, and has since become a leading artist both in the concert hall and in the recording studio.

Born in Chieti, he studied under the guidance of Lucia Passaglia at the Conservatory “L. Cherubini” in Florence graduating with highest honours. He participated as a student performer on a three-year piano perfection course at the “Accademia Musicale Umbra” where he achieved a “Diploma of Excellence”. Later, he participated in the “International Master Classes” in Klaipeda (Lithuania), held by Lazar Berman. With him, his concert repertoire deepened and improved with particular attention to the music of F. Liszt, at the European Academy of Music, Erba (CO). He perfected Chamber Music at the International School of Chamber Music in Duino under the guidance of “Trio of Trieste” achieving a “Diploma with Merit”. He has won national and international competitions, including “M. Clementi” in Florence, “Agorà 80″ in Rome, “F. Liszt” in Lucca, and “Città di Stresa”. In 1997 he won second prize at the ‘T. I. M. ” – International Music Tournament; in 1998, he was awarded the prestigious “Prix Venice”; in 1999 he won second prize at the international competition “Ecomusic” of Monopoli (BA); in 2002 was the winner of the 40th International Piano Competition “Arcangelo Speranza” in Taranto. In October 2009 he was awarded in the “4th International Tbilisi Piano Competition” in Georgia (WFIMC).

The pianist Ralf Nattkemper is widely recognized by international critics as an outstanding representatives of the German pianistic tradition. He studied with the Russian-Brasilian pianist Yara Bernette, the Italian-Argentinian pianist Fausto Zadra and with Wilhelm Kempff. He plays regularly in most European countries and musical centers such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Brussels, Venice, Rome, Madrid, Tokyo, Caracas, Sofia etc., and is a frequent guest at numerous festivals, e.g. Venice, Verona, Assisi, Santander, Wallonie, Colonia Tovar (Venezuela). He has played with celebrated orchestras, e.g. l'orchestre de chambre de Lausanne, Hamburger Symphoniker, Bucharest Radio Symphony Orchestra, l'orchestra municipal de Caracas, Bulgarien Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya symphonic ect.

Vladimir Ovchinnikov continues the traditions of the world known G. Neighaus Piano School. The pianist is a graduate of the famous Central Special Music School (the class of A. Artobolevskaya) and the Moscow Conservatoire (class of Prof. A. Nasedkin). The only pianist ever to win the top prizes at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1982) and Leeds International Piano Competition (1987), Ovchinnikov is also a laureate of the Concours International de Montreal (Canada, 1980, 2nd Prize), and the International Chamber Ensembles Competition in Vercelli (Italy, 1984, 1st Prize). It was his success at Leeds, however, which established his international career, a triumph which was followed by a triumphant début performance in London in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen.

Once a "Superstar for insiders” (Die Welt), Konstantin Scherbakov is today one of internationally renowned pianists who take a special place in the modern piano world. His artistry and impressive contribution to piano repertoire and the recording catalogue are undisputed. "One of the most capable, daring and interesting musicians of these days” - Peter Cossé , the famous German music critic once described him. Uncompromising responsibility and selfless dedication to music and piano repertoire set Scherbakov's priority throughout his thirty-five-years-long career. The insatiable musical curiosity, an analytical mind and unlimited virtuosity have accompanied Scherbakov on his journey across the ocean of piano literature.