The Austria Pavilion ]hosted a piano performance and composition competition today which has attracted 18 young contestants from the nine most influential music conservatories in China.
The competition excels others given its novel content, the organiser says. Composition department students from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Salzburg wrote special pieces for this competition. In addition, piano works of Chopin, Schumann, and other Baroque pieces were performed.
The professional piano named as “harmony pedal” is a grand piano with four pedals. The additional pedal allows for higher pitch notes to be sustained longer. This is the first show in China of a piano with such a large musical range.
Austria, which enjoys the reputation of being the “homeland of music,” is the cradle of many extraordinary musicians such as Haydn, Mozart, Strauss, and Schubert. The Deputy Representative of Austria Pavilion Birgit Murr treats Shanghai Expo as a precious chance for China and Austria to enhance their relations.
“We hope to enhance the national image of Austria as a country of music and culture, and to take this opportunity to deepen cooperation between music institutions,” Murr says. “This is the first time we have invited first-class musicians and professors from two countries to join in this competition and I believe this can benefit us all.”
Today, the 14 to18-year-old musicians can showcase their talents before Expo visitors from all around the world. The judging board of the competition is composed of various music experts. Professor Wu Zuqiang, honorary president of the Chinese Musicians Association and honorary president of the Central Conservatory of Music acted as honorary chairman of the panel.
