Last year's winner, Tae-Hyung Kim of South Korea, playing in the final with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (photo: HIPCC).

Hastings tunes up for piano competition

Chris Connelley’s last contact with a piano was a series of shared 15-minute lessons in 1970s suburbia, but he will be heading off to the White Rock Theatre next week to sample the pick of the contemporary classical crop.

The arrival of March heralds the onset of Spring, which brings with it that annual re- awakening that sees Hastings throw off its heavy togged winter duvet to welcome the return of the light and embrace its ever extending cultural season.

Tip-top music tabloid The Stinger has just launched, crepetastic Fat Tuesday is just days away and the annual Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, one of the big jewels in the town’s crown, a veritable Koh-i-Noor, sets up shop at the White Rock Theatre from Monday 3 March.

Returning for its tenth year, the six-day global competition, part of Hastings Music Festival, has attracted its biggest ever pool of 100 entrants, made up of talented youngsters of between 16 and 30 from 30 countries, 44 of whom have been selected from the tapes and downloads they sent in to play live across the week. Nations represented include Syria, Russia, China, the United States and Belarus.

Last year's finalists: from left, Jean-Paul Gasparian, France, third, Michelle Candotti, Italy, second, and winner Tae-Hyung Kim, South Korea (photo: HIPCC).

The opening stage, from Monday to Wednesday, sees all the contestants play excerpts from a chosen concerto before a public audience and prestigious judging panel, whose job it is to select just six names to go forward to Thursday’s semi-final.

The six then get to play a free choice recital of 25 minutes, drawing on material from two different periods, leaving the highest-scoring three in contention for the £10,000 prize, double last year’s purse, at Saturday’s final.

The money, though clearly welcome, is only part of the story. Equally important is the chance to play with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the exposure that comes with winning a competition that is fast assuming increasing kudos and currency on the international classical music circuit.

The semi-finalists who do not go forward to the final get to participate in a masterclass held in the sumptuous setting of Fairlight Hall, clearly demonstrating the generosity of spirit which characterises the competition.

The competition works at a number of levels. It offers top talent a truly ‘big break’, reinforces the town’s burgeoning reputation as serious hitter on the cultural stage and opens the door for lucky local residents to sample some world-class performances on their doorstep for a very affordable ticket price. Best value is the opening stage, when entry is just a fiver.

This inclusive aspect is crucial for Sara Kowitz, whose family foundation is the competition’s primary sponsor. She is totally clear that, “We want to reach people who haven’t heard classical music before,” whilst also helping to change out-dated and negative perceptions of Hastings.

“The town is often maligned but when people actually come here, they’re really surprised. There’s so much going on. We have a much better reputation internationally than we do nationally. I want to do what I can to change that.”

It almost sounds too good to be true. Life-affirming live music and the chance to check out tomorrow’s superstars, right here on our doorstep right now, and at prices that allow almost everyone to get involved. There’s no excuse to miss out, so get booking now.

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition 2014 White Rock Theatre, Monday 3-Thursday 6 March, Saturday 8 March. Tickets for all stages of the competition from White Rock Theatre, tel 01424 462288 or www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk.

Masterclass Fairlight Hall, Friday 7 March. Tickets £12 (includes glass of wine and nibbles) from Hastings Music Festival office, tel 01424 437357.

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