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Carole Mikita Reporting The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with dozens of the world's finest young pianists performing in Salt Lake.
The musicians say they prefer the way judging is done in this competition.
Masataka Goto, from Japan, hopes to turn this performance into a career as an international concert pianist. He is not alone. As one of 230 applicants to the Gina Bachauer, he has stepped into an elite group to become a competitor.
This competition began in 1976, named for world-renowned concert pianist Gina Bachauer, who was a friend of the Utah Symphony and its music director, Maurice Abravanel.
The competitors say this is one of their favorite international competitions because instead of being eliminated after just 20 minutes, here they play three rounds and the judges hear them a total of 90 minutes.
Andrey Ponochevny/ Bachauer competitor, Belarus: "It's a wonderful idea to play a whole three stages for all participants. I think it helps to focus on the music and forget about the stress situation, which is competition. Yes, I'm trying to enjoy."
Thirty-nine pianists from 24 countries, ages 19 to 32, are performing. The top six will win prizes totaling 100-thousand dollars in cash and worldwide concert appearances.
Audience members recognize the level of talent they are watching.
Shane Bowles/ Salt Lake City: "I've seen some playing that takes your breath away. There are some pianists who, I think, will make a name for themselves."
From here to the world stage, some of these pianists will actually take that step.
The competition continues at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake through Tuesday, the 26th. Finals rounds are with the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall. Awards night is there on June 30th. Tickets are available for all rounds.
