By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel
LA JOLLA, California — The public was treated to a free weekend of brilliant piano music that started on Friday morning, July 12th at the beautiful new Conrad Preys Concert Hall in La Jolla.
Piano music including the works of Bach, Debussy, Mozart, Paderewski, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, Schubert and many other classical composers resounded in the beautiful new concert hall. I was only able to attend Saturday afternoon so I only heard seven contestants. Still a treat!
Twenty-Seven talented pianists from the United States, Canada, and Japan played on Friday. Pianists were allotted about 15 minutes to play their choice of compositions. From that group, the judges selected fourteen to play on Saturday: seven in the morning and seven in the afternoon. They had to play different selections than what they played on Friday.
At the end of the day, six pianists were chosen for the finals on Sunday morning, and had to play another group of compositions. That’s probably enough repertoire for a concert of their own.
Although classified as amateurs, the participants all had made piano an important part of the lives. They studied for years to achieve keyboard expertise, and at some point they probably realized the chances for professional success in the concert world are too competitive and. elusive. So it is not surprising that almost all make their primary living in such other fields as doctors, teachers, accountants, chemists, engineers, dental assistants, or lawyers.
I couldn’t help asking myself, what it is that motivates twenty -seven talented amateur pianists, some near and others far to travel to San Diego. They face the critique of judges. The prizes would not even cover the transportation cost for those living out of town.
As a professional singer, I know the many hours it takes to learn each composition with constant rehearsal, and finally memorize each note and chord. Then comes the moment you are standing in the wings ready to enter the stage. As you walk on stage your thoughts are focused on your music. You slowly sit down at the piano, take a deep breath, and stretch your fingers over the piano keys. At that moment you hope every part of your mind and body goes into automatic mode so you can play your heart out!
At last, here are the finalists:
First: Carl Di Casoli; Second: Marie-Agathe Charpagne; Third: Alexander Stabile; Finalists: Eric Brelsford, David Lee, and Leonard Donadio.
Special Awards: Best Baroque Period John Gutheil; Best Classical Period Eric Brelsford; Best Romantic Period Nobuaki Kiyama; Best Modern Period David Lee; Audience Favorite Eric Brelsford; Spirit of the Competition Michael Krause,
For all the other contestants, I hope their rewards were the opportunity to test their skills before a live audience in the wonderful Conrad Prebys concert hall.
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Cantor Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. He may be contacted via sheldon.merel@sdjewishworld.com