Fortepiano Competition “Day of the Square Piano” II

The competition consists of two stages: the first round on Friday 11^th October and the second (final) round on Saturday 12^th October. The competitors are requested to perform solo both on a historic grand piano from the period 1815-1835 and on earlier historic square pianos. The emphasis is on performing on square pianos. The winner’s prize is the invitation to perform on a historic fortepiano at the Young Pianists Festival in the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam, 14 – 22 November 2013. In addition all participants will be offered master classes fortepiano by Stanley Hoogland and Michael Tsalka on Monday 14^th October. The competitors should not be over 35 years of age. 

For the repertoire requirements of the second round of the Fortepiano Concourse for young talents on Saturday 12 October, 14 h., click here

Making the classic past part of the present

The musical heritage of historic fortepianos is not just living history: not only these instruments are important tools for the historically informed music performance, but in addition each of them has its own refined tone colouring and characteristic ‘timbre’ personality. Fortepianos are the product of a time, when revolutionary innovating and emancipating new ideas were conceived. Especially, the squares were the common chamber music instruments for joyful every day use par excellence. Also today, these pleasantly small and individualistic instruments are fun to play on. Following a tendency towards the ‘old music’ approach for classic and romantic music, as well as a growing public interest for a fusion of ‘different’ instruments, including historic instruments from various cultures, in contemporary compositions, revitalises the practise of fortepianos. The Sweelinck Collection covers the historic range from the early fortepiano up to the early modern piano; therefore, it forms an invaluable source providing the much-needed instruments for professional performances, as well as for educational uses.