From April 22 to 30, the VII National Estonian Piano Competition took place in Tallinn, Maksim Shtshura was awarded the 1st prize. 40 years have passed since the 1st National Estonian Piano Competition in Tallinn in 1968. Obligatory piece "Three Songs" by Helena Tulve was commissioned for VII National Piano Competition.
25 young pianists took part in this year piano competition, six of them performed in the final with Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Jüri Alperten) in Estonia Concert Hall in April 29 and 30. Members of the jury were Arbo Valdma (chairman), Lauri Väinmaa, Toomas Vana, Mati Mikalai, Ralf Taal, Age Juurikas and Sten Lassmann. All of them have been the 1st prize winners of previous competitions. The 1st prize winner of the VII National Estonian Piano Competition is Maksim Shtshura, the first year student of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (piano class of Ivari Ilja). The 2nd prize winner is Ruslan Strogiy, the 7th class pupil of Tallinn Music High School (piano class of Maigi Pakri). The 3rd prize wasn’t given out. Andre Hinn, Jaan Ots, Johan Randvere and Margus Riimaa got the finalist diplomas. Several special prizes were also given out.
VII National Estonian Piano Competition was organised by Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and Estonian Piano Teachers’ Association.
Agnes Toomla