March 21 saw the opening of Volodymyr Krainiev Sixth International Young Pianists Contest. By a tradition, the contestants are divided into two age groups: junior, including children aged under 13, and senior, from 14 to 17. The organizing committee established prizes for winners in each age category: for juniors Grand Prix amounts DM 3,000, and for seniors DM 5,000.
This year over 100 musicians from eleven countries announced their intent to take part in the contest, which is one of the most prestigious ones in the piano world. Volodymyr Krainiev Sixth International Young Pianists Contest has been held since 1992 with the participation of the Ukrainian Center of Children and Youth Creative Work, the Ministry of Culture, Kharkiv oblast Culture Administration, Kharkiv City Council, and the Renaissance Foundation. Once in two years the Kharkiv Secondary Musical Boarding School becomes the scene for the contest among young talents.
The idea of the contest and its implementation belong to a wonderful musician, teacher, and professor at the Hanover Music and Theater Academy Volodymyr Vsevolodovych Krainiev. The maestro never forgets his roots, his first steps at the Kharkiv School of Music, and always stresses in his interviews that the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine is no less dear to him than Russian awards. He studied in Moscow, first in the Central Music School at Moscow Conservatory in Anaida Sumbatian’s class and then at Moscow Conservatory with Genrikh Neigaus. The fact that now Mr. Krainiev lives and works in Hanover, in his words, gives a broader framework to his pedagogical activity. Krainiev helps talented children from different countries to become developed pianists. For example, at present there are some students from Ukraine among his pupils. Mariya Kim, first prize winner of the Krainiev contest in 1996, last year took the Grand Prix at the Vladimir Horowitz Memorial Contest for Young Pianists. Another Volodymyr Krainiev’s pupil, Ihor Chetuyev, winner of the Rubinstein contest, is considered to be a virtuoso.
Our newspaper is sincerely happy that the musician’s child, the contest, will yet again discover new names, that the financial problems are solved (The Day wrote about difficulties which arose last October, due to which the Volodymyr Krainiev Invites Festival failed to be held). We are glad to inform you that on March 30 the Kyiv National Philharmonic of Ukraine will host a contest winners concert. Music lovers will obtain a unique opportunity to listen to those who represent the future of world music.
