Contact: concours@olivier-messiaen.eu
Piano Competition
From 2 to 5 November 2023, MC2 in Grenoble
Founder – Claude Samuel
Director – Bruno Messina
President of the Jury – Michaël Levinas
The 2023 edition of the Olivier Messiaen International Competition is dedicated to the piano performance and organised by Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) in partnership with MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble – Scène nationale.
As well as Messiaen’s works and music of the 20th century, the competition is open to other repertoires and places particular emphasis on original composition, as candidates will be required to perform a new work in the final round. The competition offers several days of high-level emulation, bringing together a jury of internationally renowned pianists and Messiaen specialists, widely accessible to all the curious and music enthusiasts attracted by the performance that all international competitions represent.
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition is open to pianists under 30 from all over the world. It will take place over 4 rounds, including 3 public rounds in Grenoble, France from November 2 to 4, 2023. The prizes consist of financial awards (total prize fund of 21,000€).
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition is sponsored by the EPCC Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA), and organised in partnership with MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble – Scène nationale, with the support of the Fondation Olivier Messiaen under the patronage of the Fondation de France.
CALENDAR
APPLICATIONS
Application deadline: June 30, 2023 – extended to july 5, 2023
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Results: July 10, 2023
TIMETABLE
Quarter-Finals: Thursday 2 November 2023 at 2 pm – MC2 Grenoble
Semi-Finals: Friday 3 November 2023 at 2 pm – MC2 Grenoble
Final: Saturday 4 November 2023 at 2 pm – Auditorium de Lyon
Jean-François Heisser & Marie-Josèphe Jude concert : Sunday 5 November – 11 am – MC2 Grenoble
President of the Jury
Michaël Levinas
Composer and pianist Michaël Levinas was a student of Olivier Messiaen, Vlado Perlemuter and Yvonne Loriod, among others, and a former resident of the Villa Médicis. He took part in the creation of the ensemble L’Itinéraire, founder of the spectral movement, which he directed for a long period.
His work constantly explores the realms of timbre and acoustics, and questions the fundamental relationship between text and music. As a pianist, he is a regular guest at Europe’s leading contemporary music festivals. His rich piano discography, which ranges from Bach to Boulez, is punctuated by critically acclaimed recordings.
Members of the Jury
Jean-François Heisser
Marie-Josèphe Jude
Florent Boffard
Louise Bessette
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Recording
Duration : maximum 30 minutes
1 – A Prelude and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach
2 – A work by Olivier Messiaen
3 – A work freely chosen
NOTE
Each piece must be recorded in full, without editing.
First round
Thursday 2 November 2023 at 2 pm – Auditorium of MC2 Grenoble
Duration : 30 minutes per candidate
1 – A work by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
To be chosen among :
– Fantaisie n° 4 in c minor KV 475
– Rondo n° 3 in a minor KV 511
– A series of variations (12 minutes maximum)
2 – A compulsory piece by Olivier Messiaen
Cantéyodjayâ
3 – An excerpt of the Iberia suite by Isaac Albéniz
Second round
Friday 3 November 2023 at 14 pm – Auditorium of the MC2 Grenoble
Duration : 30 minutes per candidate
1 – An excerpt of a work by Olivier Messiaen
– Either an excerpt from the Catalogue d’oiseaux
– Or an excerpt from the Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus to be chosen among:
5 and 8 performed together (Regard du Fils sur le Fils and Regard des hauteurs)
- Par Lui tout a été fait
- Regard de l’esprit de Joie
- Première communion de la Vierge
- Regard des Anges
- Le Baiser de l’Enfant-Jésus
- Regard du Silence
- Regard de l’Onction terrible
- Regard de l’Eglise d’Amour
2 – A major work composed between 1900 and 1945
To be chosen in the repertoire of: Alexandre Scriabine, Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg, Béla Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Manuel de Falla, Anton Webern, Maurice Ravel
3 – Claude Debussy: a set of two Préludes and one Étude chosen by the candidate
FINAL
Saturday 4 November 2023 at 2 pm – Auditorium of the MC2 Grenoble
Duration : 30 minutes per candidate
1 – Three Préludes by Olivier Messiaen chosen by the candidate
2 – A compulsory work commissioned by the Olivier Messiaen Competition
3 – A major work composed after 1945
4 – Additional work(s) freely chosen by the candidate
Introduction
Originally a contemporary piano competition, the Olivier Messiaen Competition was established in 1967 as part of the Royan Festival and held in Paris until 2007. In 2019, Bruno Messina, director of the EPCC AIDA, was entrusted with its revival. Co-organised by the EPCC AIDA and the MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble – Scène nationale, the 2023 competition will be dedicated to the piano.
Article 1
The International Olivier Messiaen Competition is open to pianists of any nationality born after 1 January 1993. It will take place in Grenoble from 2 to 4 November 2023 under the presidency of Michaël Levinas.
Article 2 – Format
The Competition consists of four rounds: a preliminary elimination round based on recordings and three public rounds in Grenoble.
Recordings for the preliminary round must be submitted by 30 June 2023.
The first round will take place at the MC2 in Grenoble on Thursday 2 November 2023.
The second round will take place at the MC2 in Grenoble on Friday 3 November 2023.
The final round will take place at the MC2 in Grenoble on Saturday 4 November 2023.
Article 3 – Draws
At the first and second rounds, the playing order for competing performers will be decided by the drawing of lots. A second draw will determine the playing order in the final.
Article 4 – Programme
The detailed programme of the rounds will be posted on the Competition website.
Candidates can perform the pieces in the order of their choice.
Candidates must submit their programme to the Competition organisers by 1 September at the latest.
Copies of the scores for unpublished works must be submitted to the Competition organisers by 1 October at the latest.
Article 5 – Prizes
Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize: €6,000
Second prize: €4000
Third prize: €3000
Fourth prize: €2000
Prize for the best performance of a work by Olivier Messiaen: €2000
Prize for the best performance of a new work: €3000
Public prize: €1000
The Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize cannot be shared. The second prize can only be shared if the Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize is not awarded.
Article 6 – Jury
The jury is made up of international figures from the classic music world. Its members will deliberate at the end of each round. In the event of a tie, the President will have the deciding vote.
The jury reserves the right to interrupt a performance.
The jury reserves the right not to award all prizes.
There is no right of appeal to the jury’s decision.
Article 7 – Application submissions
Application forms can be downloaded from the Competition website (www.maisonmessiaen.com). They must be duly completed, signed and emailed to the Competition organisers (concours@olivier-messiaen.eu) no later than 30 June 2023 with the following documents attached:
– CV in English or French detailing music schools attended, main teachers, awards obtained and current professional status.
– Photocopy of an identity card, passport or other equivalent official document.
– A recent photograph with last name and first name included in the file name.
– Entry fee or proof of payment (see article 9).
– A recording of the pieces included in the preliminary round repertoire (see article 8).
Article 8 – Preliminary round
From the preliminary recorded round, 10 candidates will be selected to perform in the public competition rounds.
Recordings entered into the preliminary round can be performed in the three public rounds. They must be submitted with the application as mp3, wav or aiff files. Recordings must not be cut or edited. Deadline for submission: 30 June 2023, with the application form.
The names of the 10 selected entrants in the competition will be listed on the competition website in July 2023.
Each chosen candidate will also receive the decision personally by email.
Article 9 – Entry fee
The entry fee is €50. Candidates must pay the entry fee net of any additional costs at registration. Fees received by the Competition organisers cannot be refunded.
Payment methods will be explained on the application form.
Article 10 – Visas
Any candidate who requires a visa to participate in the competition must take personal responsibility for applying for one. If a candidate is required to present a letter of invitation to obtain a visa, please request this from the Competition organisers.
Article 11 – Recording of public performances
Candidates waive the right to any remuneration from any recording or radio, television or web broadcast (streamed live or made available later) of performances (either in part or in full) in the competition rounds or in the final concert.
Article 12 – Assistants
Competitors are entitled to have an assistant of their choice at the console. In this case, they are responsible for covering all related travel and accommodation expenses. If a candidate has not appointed their own assistant, they can use assistants provided by the Competition. Requests for an assistant must be submitted to the Competition organisers by 1 September at the latest.
Article 13
By signing the application form, candidates agree to all the terms and conditions stipulated in the Competition rules and are required to fulfil all engagements offered as part of any prize awarded. In the event of any dispute, only the French version of the Competition rules is binding.
The International Olivier Messiaen Competition is organised by Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) in partnership with MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble – Scène nationale.
AIDA – Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes
Bruno Messina, director
Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) is a public institution for cultural cooperation. Created in 2004 and directed by Bruno Messina since 2009, AIDA promotes musical creativity and outreach and works more broadly to support cultural development in Isère and Hautes-Alpes by organising major events in these areas:
- The Festival Berlioz, the great symphonic music event in La Côte-Saint-André
- The Jeune Orchestre Européen Hector Berlioz – Isère, the festival’s youth orchestra and academy
- Les Allées Chantent, an annual tour of 80 concerts in iconic heritage venues
- À Travers Chants, a programme of choral singing teaching for children aged 8 to 12
- La Maison Messiaen, an artists’ residence in Matheysine, southern Isère
- The International Olivier Messiaen Competition, honouring the organ and the piano
- The Festival Messiaen in the Pays de la Meije, a major contemporary music event
AIDA’s activities are focused on promoting musical aesthetics in all their diversity, developing creativity, supporting established and emerging artists, encouraging musical practice, furthering musical access and discovery for all audiences and contributing to the training of future professional and amateur musicians.
MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble – Scène nationale
Arnaud Meunier, director
The MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble is a public institution for cultural cooperation – with “Scène nationale” accreditation – directed by Arnaud Meunier since January 2021. It presents more than eighty shows a season, presenting the very best in contemporary creation.
The MC2: Grenoble runs a complex of four performance halls and rehearsal studios that is unrivalled in France. In addition to its three theatres (250 to 1400 seats), which can accommodate all possible forms of staging, from the most traditional to the most innovative, the MC2: Grenoble has an exceptional facility for music: a 13,000 m auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 spectators, which enables it to welcome the greatest soloists and orchestral ensembles in Grenoble. One of the MC2’s missions is to establish itself as a structure for artistic creation, production and touring on a national and international scale, with an emphasis on contemporary creation. The MC2 is a unique tool for all disciplines of the performing arts, whether in production or distribution, through the provision of spaces open to artists and cultural initiatives.
2023 candidates
Orlando Bass (FRANCE)
Orlando Bass is a British-born French pianist, harpsichordist and composer born in 1994. He studied piano (Roger Muraro), chamber music (Itamar Golan), accompaniment (Jean-Frédéric Neuburger), improvisation, voice conducting and composition at the National Superior Conservatory of Paris for Music and Dance. Since 2023, he has been studying for the Konzertexamen (Artist Diploma) with Kirill Gerstein at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule in Berlin.
His career is studded with prizes: he won the Grand Prix of the CFRPM (modern piano repertoire) in Paris, First Prize in the Les Virtuoses du Coeur Competition and First Prize in the Bologna Harpsichord Competition – Paola Bernardi Foundation. The modern and contemporary repertoire that he frequently performs as a soloist and chamber musician is particularly close to his heart, leading him to create new works without neglecting the classical repertoire. He has made several recordings on harpsichord and piano for the Maguelonne, Hortus, Odradek, Triton and La Scala Music labels. A new opus is in preparation for 2024, devoted to the first sonatas of Prokofiev and Bartok, with the violinist Rachel Koblyakov.
Edouard Charrière (FRANCE)
Born in 1999, Edouard Charrière studied at the Paris Conservatory and the Gabriel Fauré Conservatory before being admitted to the National Superior Conservatory of Paris for Music and Dance (CNSMDP), where he joined Emmanuel Strosser’s piano class and then Roger Muraro’s. He also studied chamber music with Emmanuelle Bertrand, Itamar Golan, Michael Hentz, Michel Moragues and Haruko Ueda. He also studied chamber music with Emmanuelle Bertrand, Itamar Golan, Michael Hentz, Michel Moragues and Haruko Ueda. In 2020, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in musicology from the University of Paris-Sorbonne, and in 2022 his master’s degree in piano from the CNSMDP, graduating with first-class honours.
He won prizes at the From Bach to Jazz International Piano Competition at the Schola Cantorum in 2013, the 25th and 26th Flame Competitions at the CRR of Paris in 2014 and 2015, the Vulaines-sur-Seine Piano Competition in 2015, and was a finalist in the From Bach to Jazz International Competition in Athens in 2018 and a finalist in the Albert Roussel International Competition at the Salle Cortot in Paris in 2021.
He has taken part in various summer academies in France (Nice, Musicalp, Piano Cantabile), where he was taught by Bruno Rigutto, Bernard D’Ascoli, Cécile Hugonnard-Roche, Claire Désert, Florent Boffard, Jonas Vitaud, Laurent Cabasso, Olivier Peyrebrune, Markus Groh, Björn Lehmann and Alexandre Moutouzkine. He has also received chamber music coaching from Christian Ivaldi and Laurent Korcia.
Yesong Jung (SOUTH KOREA)
Yesong Jung was born in South Korea in 1996. She trained at Kyung Hee University in Seoul with Hyosun Lim, then at the Royal College of Music in London, and since 2020 at the Hochschule in Stuttgart, in the class of Nicolas Hodges. She has also taken master classes with Jerome Lowenthal and Chung-Mo Kang.
She has won numerous competitions – Kyung-hee University Scholarship Competition, Seoul Art Piano, Chun-Chu Music Competition, Dong-seo Music Competition, Tongyeong Arts Association National Music Competition – and was a prizewinner at the Beethoven Competition and the Music Association of Korea Competition.
In recent years, Yesong Jung has performed in concert at St Marry Abbots, with the RCM Philharmonie Orchestra in London and at the Fruchtkasten in Stuttgart.
Miharu Ogura (JAPAN)
Born in Tokyo in 1996, the pianist Miharu Ogura is now based in Frankfurt where she is studying at the Hochschule with Florian Hölscher, after training at the Toho Gakuen College in Tokyo. Winner of several competitions, Miharu Ogura is deeply involved in contemporary music, both as a performer and as a composer. She has recently recorded two CDs, one devoted to Stockhausen’s Klavierstücke and the other to her own piano compositions. Two new musical works commissioned by Radio France and the Venice Biennale will be premiered in 2024.
She performs as a soloist – recently in Sweden, Frankfurt and Tokyo – and with orchestras and ensembles. She has performed with the Frankfurt hr-Sinfonieorchester conducted by Duncan Ward, in an opera by Søren Nils Eichberg at the Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden (conducted by Albert Horne), and with the ensembles hand werk and XiEMA, with the Ensemble Ulysses (in Barcelona under Beat Furrer, at Royaumont under Jean-Philippe Wurtz and at ManiFeste with the Ensemble intercontemporain under Pierre Bleuse) and with the mdi ensemble.
Shoma Oto (JAPAN/FRANCE)
Born in 1993, Shoma Oto trained at the Versailles Conservatory in the class of Edda Erlends-Dottir and Michael Guido. He then joined the class of Laurent Cabasso and Aimo Pagin at the Académie Supérieure de Musique de Strasbourg (HEAR). He continued his studies at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Lyon, studying for a master’s degree in music performance with Laurent Cabasso, Hélène Bouchez and Jérôme Granjon.
He has had the opportunity to complete his training at a number of academies, including the Gyorgy Sebök International Academy, where he met teachers Denis Pascal and Rena Shereshevskaya. He also won the Audience Prize in the competition organised by the Versailles Conservatory. A keen harpsichordist, he studied with Blandine Rannou in Versailles and with Aline Zylberach and Christine Heraud in Strasbourg.
Alexia Stier (HUNGARY/ROMANIA)
The Romanian-Hungarian pianist Alexa Stier is currently a doctoral student at the Yale School of Music, where she is studying with Professors Boris Berman and Wei-Yi Yang, after obtaining her Master’s degree in 2021. She previously studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow with Professor Fali Pavri and trained at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest as part of the Erasmus exchange programme.
She has performed extensively in Europe and the United States, in recital, chamber music and with orchestra (Royal Scottish National Orchestra, New Britain Symphonic Orchestra, Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra, Dinu Lipatti Philharmonic Orchestra).
Alexa Stier is a prizewinner in several international competitions, including first prize in the Sheepdrove Piano Competition (UK) and the Virtuoso e Belcanto Concerto Competition (Italy).
