Piano stories (piano 4 hands) wins 1st prize in composition competition.

[nikolasideris]

I thought that some might be interested in this...

I submitted my work 'Piano Stories' for piano 4 hands, in an International Composition Competition and it came in 1st place, amongst some 220 entries...

Following is the press release for the news:

Greek Composer Nikolaos Sideris has won first prize in the 2nd International Composition Competition: "Artistes en Herbe". Supported by the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture, this prestigious competition attracted more than 220 entries from 17 countries.

The prolific composer won the Competition with "Piano Stories" - a piano work for four hands already published by Musica Ferrum, a publishing house which focuses on contemporary concert hall repertoire. The score is available worldwide in select music stores, as well as on Musica Ferrum's online platform.

Piano Stories will be performed in a Gala Concert, following the award ceremony, organized in collaboration with the Conservatory of Luxemburg City.

Nikolaos Sideris has also been invited to join the judging committee for the 2015 Artistes en Herbe Competition.

And here's the video with the whole performance with me and Myrto Akrivou (a wonderful Greek pianist). All 16 glorious minutes!

[birba]

Wonderful!  I'm not a big fan of four-handed music but these piano stories really captivated me with  their rhythms and sonorities.  So vibrant and pulsating with vigor!   I'm not surprised they won you first prize.   

[thalbergmad]

Well done old chap. A superb achievement.

Thal

[nikolasideris]

Thanks birba and thal.

Birba: To be honest I wasn't also sure, so if you scout the Internet piano forums well enough you'll find me asking questions about the 4 hands repertoire and ideas... My main idea was that 4 hands music was mainly used by composers or transcriptors who wanted to transcribe symphonies and orchestral works (for the lack of another medium to listen to the music the only way to transcribe for piano a huge orchestral work is for 2 pianists (at least)).

Then I was also introduced to the idea of 'tea time' piano music which gave me the creeps...

And I decided to do something very vibrant, very open, very... enjoyable (hopefully) and came up with this suite. A very full (of itself?) kind of music that I hope works...

And yes, I'm very happy to have won... Can't blame me really!