Dudley International Piano Competition - p2

Dudley International Piano Competition - Semi-finals

Jury:
Daniel Browell
Peter Donohoe
Nicola Eimer
Robert Markham
Graham Lloyd
Allan Schiller

Following on from the previous day of performances, the jury will make a decision about which three pianists should go through to the final stage. Each semi finalist will play a 45 minute free choice recital in the hope that they make it through to the final.

The idea for a Dudley Piano Competition was first suggested in 1967 and it then evolved in 1968 from piano classes at the Dudley Festival of Music and Drama. It had a concerto final, was held annually until 1989 when it became a biennial event and from 1991 to 1995 was opened to competitors from overseas.

Many past winners including Benjamin Frith, Andrew Wilde, Graham Scott, Alicja Fiderkiewicz and Paul Lewis went on to establish successful careers and past competitors have also included internationally acclaimed pianists; Ian Hobson, Peter Donohoe, Joanna MacGregor and Timothy Horton.

The Dudley International Piano Competition then took a break until it re-emerged in 2000 as a competition with a recital final open to pianists of all nationalities studying or resident in the British Isles.

Attracting entrants of an extremely high standard from all the main colleges, its success in 2000 and 2001 dictated that it should become a regular triennial event.

For the 2009 and 2011 competitions a concerto final in Dudley with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra replaced the recital final. In 2014, 2017 and 2022 the finals were held at Symphony Hall with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra as part of their Concert Seasons.