Robert Hamilton
Professor of Music,
School of Music
Arizona State University
Finalist in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the contest which earlier catapulted Van Cliburn to fame
The Van Cliburn Competition is one of a half dozen piano contests worldwide which are capable of launching major performing careers. Yet when compared with others in this elite group (such as the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, won by Cliburn himself, or the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, won by notables including Martha Argerich) it is puzzling that so few Cliburn Competition winners have gone on to become established stars. Since its inception in 1962, only Radu Lupu (Gold Medal, 1966) and Alexander Toradze (Silver Medal, 1977) may be said, thusfar, to have solid performing careers. One wonders why this is the case, in view of its international fame and the staggering numbers of concert engagements handed to Clburn medal winners over 4-year periods of time. Perhaps selection has not been good enough. Some of the most outstanding talents who try out in various cities may not be admitted (politics?). And it is certainly not helpful that so few of the engaged jurors year after year are established pianists and/or major artist teachers themselves. Of eleven Cliburn Competition jurors this year, for example, only three are true pianists, while the rest are either minor conductors or producers for radio/TV, recording companies and music festivals. Other elite international competitions fill their juries with individuals who are more fully qualified to adjudicate pianists on this level.
THE TWELFTH VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION: IN THE HEART OF MUSIC is the personal observation of award-winning filmmaker Andy Sommer, and it is a very compelling piece. One can regret that so much film time was spent on just a few contestants, but that was obviously important to the director in creating an "up close and personal" documentary. What emerges is a realistic and fascinating display of a major piano competition from the inside out. Sommer's blending of onstage, backstage and everyday Texas activities is artful and in phase with the music making. Interchange between hosting families and their individual competitors is interesting. It is perhaps a loss that the director did not team up with the most fascinating pianist juror/personality, Claude Frank (seen only from a distance in the film), or show more of the playing of Roberto Plano (who many pros in attendance thought to be THE best of the six finalists). But finalists Davide Cabassi and Joyce Yang - on whom the director centered most - are certainly entertaining film subjects, in spite of Cabassi's limitations at the keyboard. And semi-finalist Maria Mazo, whose elimination kept jurors up arguing until the wee hours of the morning, provides a refreshing look at a lovely pianist with movie star looks and personality.
The film's brief encounter with the playing of some contestants who were eliminated in the preliminary round makes one wonder how many jewels may have slipped through the fingers of the twelfth Van Cliburn Competition. It is certainly true that for each amazing young pianist heard in the film there are literally hundreds blossoming around the world of equal and higher capability. One may only wish that films like this one will help to stimulate broader audiences for an entertainment form which is every bit as exciting as rock music or sporting events, yet far more rewarding.
The Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: In the Heart of Music airs Sunday, October 9 at 5 p.m. on Channel 8.
"ONE MAY ONLY WISH THAT FILMS LIKE THIS ONE WILL HELP TO STIMULATE BROADER AUDIENCES FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT FORM WHICH IS EVERY BIT AS EXCITING AS ROCK MUSIC OR SPORTING EVENTS, YET FAR MORE REWARDING."
