For the first time the International Tchaikovsky Competition has added woodwinds to the mix!
I see there are a ton of flutes and three oboists. I’m surprised there are no other instruments represented. You can see the players here.
Update: NO! I’m quite wrong … I just had to click on the “See more competitors” button. TONS more players! There are twelve of each woodwind.
The competition runs from June 17 to the June 29. I look forward to hearing the fine players!
I’m currently watching the Cliburn Junior Piano Competition. I am not a huge fan of competitions — I believe I’ve mentioned that before — but I love watching and hearing these young music makers so much. They are pretty amazing. It’s not just that they play the notes … they play music!
Music is so much more than the notes. It’s the story one is telling. It’s line. It’s color. Without expression I couldn’t care less. These young players make me care.
What will be quite telling is the finalists, who perform with an orchestra. That can really be a challenge Making music on one’s own is different than working with an ensemble. (But hey, they don’t have to think about intonation or reeds!)
If you start with the link below you’ll hear all in the preliminary round, as it goes through the full playlist:
And here is the start of the quarterfinals:
