Monday 1 November 2010

WHICH YOUNG PIANIST DO YOU REGARD AS THE FUTURE OF THE CLASSICAL PIANO? Results of Pianomania Poll


The results of the most recent Pianomania Poll are out, drawn from 97 entries over the past four months. The names of young pianists were drawn from lists of recent competition winners and concert listings, representing talents from different parts of the globe. The piano has become a universally popular instrument and the greatest pianists of the future can come from any part of the world today. 


No.1 
YUJA WANG (China) 
42 votes, 43%
Was there any doubt that this Chinese female phenom of the piano would top this list? Her two recordings on the Deutsche Grammophon label were simply superb, and her Singapore recital proved beyond any doubt that all the hype about her were for real.

No.2 
SERGIO TIEMPO (Venezuela) 
24 votes, 25% 

 A very visible presence thanks to his recordings on EMI Classics and frequent appearances at Martha Argerich's Lugano Festival. Is Venezuela and El Sistema the way to the future of music? Better believe it!

NO.3 
RACHEL CHEUNG (Hongkong) 
21 votes, 21% 

The 19-year-old is going places, having won 5th prize at the 2009 Leeds International Piano Competition, and more recently a semi-final appearance at the Chopin Competition. Further prizes in major competitions are expected.

NO.4: LISE DE LA SALLE (France), 

BENJAMIN GROSVENOR (UK), 

ZHANG HAOZHEN (China) (11 votes, 11%)

De la Salle is already established as a concert and recording artist, a very special talent. Young Grosvenor impressed greatly with his recital at the Singapore International Piano Festival, while Zhang's win at thr 2009 Van Cliburn has won him many concert opportunities. The latter's Singapore recital in 2011 will be keenly awaited.



NO.5: NOBUYUKI TSUJII (Japan), 

EDUARD KUNZ (Russia) 9 votes, 9 % 

No.6: JOHN CHEN (New Zealand) 8 votes, 8%

Tsujii was a big winner at the 2009 Cliburn, a triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Kunz and Chen, past winners of piano competitions, are gradually establishing their concert careers.

Thanks for the votes, and look out for the next Pianomania Poll: WHICH IS THE GREATEST PIANO CONCERTO OF THEM ALL?

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