How many teenagers get to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra? Minutes after the winners' announcement at the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano Competition, the three finalists posed with their certificates in the Severance Hall Greenroom. George Li, 14, the first place winner, is in the middle. At left is second-place finisher John Chen, 16, and at right is Kate Liu, 16, who placed third.
The woman wearing the scarf is Evon Cooper, one of the evening's 11 judges. She and her husband, Thomas, an Oberlin alum, generously sponsored this competition, which made it possible for the finalists to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra. Until this year, the contest was known as the Oberlin International Piano Competition. It will alternate annually between piano and violin.
In performance order, George Li, who lives in Massachusetts, played the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1, and Kate Liu, from Chicago, played the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3. After intermission, John Chen, who lives in Virginia, gave the evening a big finish with the Tchaikovsky No. 1. Jahja Ling led the Cleveland Orchestra.
The Greenroom was mobbed with amateur and professional photographers, family and friends. Our broadcast on 104.9 & wclv.com was hosted by Robert Conrad in the booth backstage at Severance Hall. During the interval between the concert's end and the winners announcement on stage, Bob chatted on the air with Jahja Ling.
The winners posed together and with the panel of judges, some of whom can be clearly seen above. Between John and George is the British pianist and cellist Christopher Elton; between George and Evon Cooper is the Finnish pianist Matti Raekallio.
No comments:
Post a Comment