Cuomo Foundation awards the Chopin Prize to winners of the 30th “Roma” International Piano Competition

On November 16, 2021, the Palladium Theatre of Roma Tre University hosted the 30th International Piano Competition “Roma” 2021.
This prestigious competition was launched in 1990 by the Fryderyk Chopin Association and it is annually organised by its founding president Maestro Marcella Crudeli.

The Cuomo Foundation has sponsored and supported this cultural event since 2004. The majestic Chiostro dei Genovesi in Trastevere in the heart of Rome, played host for over two weeks to the gathering of 91 international gifted young pianists and their performances.

During the two-week competition, pieces by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Mozart and Schumann, among other composers, captivated an audience of classical music aficionados.

The international jury composed of Michela de Amicis (Italy), Bartlomiej Kominek (Poland), Luca Rasca (Italy), Franco Carlo Ricci (Italy), Arturo Stalteri (Italy), and Frank Wasser was presided over by renowned Belgian pianist Patrick Dheur, who is also the commissioner of the César Franck (1822-1890) bicentenary for the city of Liege. Led by conductor Pawel Gorajski and the Roma Tre Orchestra, the three finalists performed at the gala evening on November 16 in front of various dignitaries, including principal representatives from the Cuomo Foundation.

The first Chopin prize went to French pianist Slava Guerchovitch, who performed W.A.Mozart’s Concerto No. 23 K.488 on the closing night, while the second prize went to Serbian pianist Ivan Bai performing Piano Concerto No. 1, op.23, previous winner of the “Emerging Pianist” medal at the 2013 “Roma” edition in Rome. Finally, Yijia Lin, a talented Chinese pianist, won third place with L.V. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58.

The Cuomo Foundation, represented by its President Maria Elena Cuomo and board members Professor Gilles Dreyfus and Peter Hungerbuhler were delighted to present numerous prizes during the successful 30th edition of this prestigious competition. Also in attendance were Janaka Samarakoon from the Monaco headquarters and the foundations representative in Rome, Nina Orenga de Gaffory Orsini.

The event was streamed live on social media.

– Nina Orenga de Gaffory Orsini
Rome, Novembre 17, 2021

[Photo: Maria Elena Cuomo ,President of the Cuomo Foundation, with Maestro Marcella Crudeli ,President of the Fryderyk Chopin Association, at the closing ceremony of the 30th “Roma” International Piano Competition 2021]