Recently described as the ‘man in the shadow’ the importance of the work of the accompanist is often overlooked, misunderstood and neglected. Finally here is a competition that recognises the skills and talents of all those wonderful pianists performing as accompanists.

Are you an accompanist? Are you a singer working with an accompanist? Do you love lieder recitals? Then this is the place for you. We are pleased to announce that the first truly international competition, exclusively for piano accompanists will take place in Amsterdam from the 8th to the 13th September 2008.

There are many accompanists who are very good pianists, but there are not many pianists who are good accompanists!

The world renowned accompanist and teacher KELVIN GROUT will in 2007 celebrate fifty years of playing the piano. In addition to special concerts and master-classes throughout the seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, he has given his name to this annual event intending to raise the profile of the piano accompanist and encourage young pianists to pursue this increasingly sought after and exciting specialisation. With prize money in the region of 30,000 euro, and a first prize of 10,000 euro this promises to become one of the most important competitions in the classical music world.

For more information, entry forms and regulations, please visit: http://www.kgcompetition.com/

By Ruth Bonnetti

Has this ever happened to you? You’re performing a concerto. The orchestral conductor or pianist, as the case may be, has set a tempo too fast or too slow. As an experienced soloist you know to assert exactly the tempo you want, backed with eye contact and decisive body language. You expect them to follow you. And they do, right?

For the complete article, please go to Here

If you didn’t hear the Radio National ‘Into the Music’ program on The Accompanist on March 24th it’s well worth a listen.

AGSA, the 2006 Festival of Accompanists and participants David Miller and Irina Lioubimova are included amongst such luminaries as Gerald Moore, Geoffrey Parsons & Iain Burnside (who did a MV tour with Yvonne Kenny last year & I think was probably the inspiration for Robyn Johnston’s doco.)

Hope you had a chance to hear it – I did tape it but lost the middle !! ( and who listens to tapes any more??)

The audio files have been removed from the ABC’s website now, but you can still see the details at:

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/intothemusic/stories/2007/1837970.htm

DIANA HARRIS