Countdown Begins for the Sixth Istanbul Orchestra'Sion International Piano Competition

Countdown Begins for the Istanbul Orchestra’Sion

The prestigious Istanbul Orchestra'Sion International Piano Competition is on the horizon, with its sixth edition set to unfold from April 1 to April 4, 2024. This renowned event invites talented pianists from across the globe to showcase their skills.

Organized by the historical Notre Dame de Sion French High School, this competition has seen a multitude of skilled pianists since its inception in 2013. The announcement detailing the upcoming contest was made during a press conference on November 23.

Competitors have the chance to win substantial monetary prizes of $8,000, $4,000, and $2,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. Beyond that, vast opportunities await the champion, including a series of concert performances over the following two years. These performances span various prestigious venues which include a home concert in Istanbul's Notre-Dame de Sion High School Performance Hall, the Lisztomanias Festival in France, the International Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival, and the Ayvalık International Music Academy.

The competition also sees the French Consul General Olivier Gauvin Bestow an eponymous award, reflecting his trained pianist background in collaboration with the French Institute in Istanbul. Gauvin will be part of the jury during the semifinals and will present the accolade on April 3. The competition culminates with a gala night at the Cemal Reşit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall, where the Cemal Reşit Rey Award will be presented to the participant who best interprets a piece by the composer Cemal Reşit Rey.

In a testament to the strong cultural ties between France and Türkiye, Gauvin highlighted Istanbul’s role as a nexus for celebrated pianists and its significance in the arts. He underscored the competition's importance in the music domain, noting a personal history of attending and appreciating numerous concerts within the city.

The distinguished jury, led by Jean-Yves Clément, is composed of notable names in the music world such as Anna Geniushene, Denis Pascal, Etsuko Hirose, Gülsin Onay, Lukas Geniusas, and Toros Can.

Candidates will be preliminarily selected through DVD or audio-visual submissions. Unique to this competition is the NDS Youth Music Award—judged by students of Notre Dame de Sion alongside consultant pianist Franck Ciup and their music teachers—to encourage young talent.

An emphasis on contemporary Turkish compositions in the third round helps elevate the recognition of Turkish musicians internationally. In line with this, exemplary pianist-composer Ali Darmar has been tasked with creating an original piece for each competition since 2017. The best interpretation in this category garners the Ali Darmar Award.

The call for registrations will remain open until December 1, leaving aspirants with ample time to join one of the classical music world's distinguished competitions—OrchestraSion.

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