how about the most prestigious amateur competition?

[violinist]

I just recently learned that there's amateur piano competitions.  Never heard of any such things for violin.

A friend of mine told me his goal was to one day enter the Van Cliburn Amateur competition.

I figure that would be one of the most if not  the most prestigious....

There's one in France... concourse something or other.... which is supposedly the original?


So here are my questions:

1. Which is the most prestigious amateur piano competition.
2. Which are some prestigious amateur piano comepetitions.
3. Are recordings available of the winners? If so, are they downloadable somewhere on the web?
4. Any intersting stories of fame and glory happen to the winners?

[dnephi]

Van Cliburn Amateur, I hear, is world class.  You practically need to be on the level of the normal Van Cliburn winners to win  .
2. There's an amateur Chopin competition in Chicago I believe
3. Don't know
4. A reward, public recognition, and the ability to give concerts that one that one would never give because one chose a different field.  I don't know any particulars.

Check out the van cliburn site.

[orlandopiano]

Van Cliburn Amateur, I hear, is world class.  You practically need to be on the level of the normal Van Cliburn winners to win  .
2. There's an amateur Chopin competition in Chicago I believe
3. Don't know
4. A reward, public recognition, and the ability to give concerts that one that one would never give because one chose a different field.  I don't know any particulars.

Check out the van cliburn site.

I know a doctor who was a finalist at one of  the Van Cliburn Amateur competitions a few years ago. He said the competitors are pretty much technically sound, but usually have less impressive repertoires because they are professionals in other fields who "play on the side". Dentists, Attorneys, etc...

[zheer]

  Hmmmmmmmm, some of these amatures will be playing Liszt sonata, Rach's 3rd PC to a very high level, possibly better than most pro pianist.
  In the Uk, the Yamaha piano competiton for outstanding amatures consisted of 6 -7 finalist's they were professors, computer scientists accountants ect. They played things like Ravel's Gaspar de la nuite (spelling not sure) Bach P&F and sonatas. Standard is very high and the jury will have some famous musician to bring people in. Good luck.

[dnephi]

I know a doctor who was a finalist at one of  the Van Cliburn Amateur competitions a few years ago. He said the competitors are pretty much technically sound, but usually have less impressive repertoires because they are professionals in other fields who "play on the side". Dentists, Attorneys, etc...

That's quite interesting.

My piano teacher mentioned the Van Cliburn Amateur competition to me.  I am a physics student but becoming a doctor, and so this is the kind of thing that is exactly what I want to do. 
Can you perhaps, orlandopiano, find out if those who win this competition actually get hired and perform elsewhere, or even tour?  That's something I would like to know.

[jehangircama]

How difficult is it to get into the Van Cliburn amatuer competition? the age limit is 35 i think, so if you start early i guess its possible to have a shot at it. but the professional winners get a huge award for winning, a no. of concerts etc.

That's quite interesting.

My piano teacher mentioned the Van Cliburn Amateur competition to me. I am a physics student but becoming a doctor, and so this is the kind of thing that is exactly what I want to do.
Can you perhaps, orlandopiano, find out if those who win this competition actually get hired and perform elsewhere, or even tour? That's something I would like to know.

hey i'm a physics student too (becoming a biotechnologist prob.)

[cloches_de_geneve]

Check out this one guys: www.ipac-berlin.com
I wouldn't mind having Sir Simon Rattle personally handing me over the prize!

[cloches_de_geneve]

Here is another one ...
www.bostonpianoamateurs.org

[viking]

There's one in France... concourse something or other.... which is supposedly the original?

Haha I know the person who won the france amateur competition this year, Thomas Yu.  He's from my city in Canada, and took lessons from my former piano teacher for over 10 years.  Just thought i'd mention this...
Sam

[orlandopiano]

How difficult is it to get into the Van Cliburn amatuer competition? the age limit is 35 i think,

I am pretty sure this doctor was well over 35. Maybe I am thinking of different competition. I am almost positive it was part of the Van Cliburn Foundation.

[iumonito]

35 is the minimum.  There is no maximum.