Perth Concert Hall Hosts Sydney International Piano Competition, Now thru July 21

In 2012, Australia will be the host of the 10th Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia, which will take place at the Sydney Opera House. The event is held every four years and the competition runs over two weeks from today, 4 to Saturday 21 July.

Perth audiences will have an opportunity to enjoy this pianist only days later at the Judge's Winner Recital presented by Perth Theatre Trust and Perth Concert Hall at the Perth Concert Hall on Monday 30 July at 7.30pm.

About the show: The Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia (SIPCA) features pianists from around the world competing in a recital competition. First presented in 1977, former participants and winners rank among the world?s most accomplished and sought after pianists both individually and as soloists with orchestras throughout the world. SIPCA has jettisoned the career of many classical pianists including 2008 winner Russian Konstantin Shamray, who became the only pianist in the history of the competition to win both the First Prize and People?s Choice award."

Shamray said “The competition arranged many recitals, concerto concerts and performances in festivals not only in Australia but also overseas and these events have introduced me to a vast audience and have given me a wonderful start to my career as a Concert Pianist. I will always remember this with gratitude.”

240 applicants of all nationalities aged between 17-30 years of age compete in live worldwide
auditions held in Naples, Vienna, Hamburg, Paris, Moscow, London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo,
Beijing, Shanghai and Sydney. From these live auditions only 36 of the world?s finest young pianists are selected and invited to participate in SIPCA 2012.

Each recital heat is broadcast Live Nationally on ABC Classic FM and internationally on affiliate
networks. This artistic play-off has become one of the great classical piano performance competitions of modern times. Great interest is generated in the outcome as listeners around the country follow their favourite performers.

At the conclusion of the competition the Judges award their prize and the listeners also have the
opportunity to vote for their own winner. The judge's winner is presented with prize money, a
recording contract and a celebratory national and international recital concert tour.

The Perth Concert Hall has hosted the Winner?s Recital in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and again on
Monday 30 July, 7.30pm. Audiences can listen to the world?s finest pianists compete through the
various stages of the competition by tuning into ABC Classic FM on www.abc.net.au/classic from
Wednesday 4 to Saturday 21 July 2012. Full program details also available in Limelight magazine.

Tickets available from BOCS Ticketing 9484 1133 from all BOCS outlets, or online www.bocsticketing.com.au

*Tickets: Standard $45, Concession $40 (Seniors, Pensioners, Unemployed)
Student $25 (Full time students only) *Prices include booking fees. Transaction fees may apply