The press conference for the Xiamen International Piano Competition was successfully held in Xiamen.
The World Federation of International Music Competitions announced that the Xiamen International Piano Competition, as a continuation of the China International Piano Competition, has officially become a member of the federation.
October 26 - November 6, 2024
The "2024 Xiamen International Piano Competition," jointly organized by the Central Conservatory of Music and the Xiamen Municipal People's Government, was successfully conducted.
As the most prestigious, largest, and most influential international top-tier music event held after the National Education Conference, this competition serves as a vital medium for discovering outstanding talents in the field of piano. It also establishes a new platform for international music cultural exchange and mutual learning. Moreover, it is a demonstration of the Central Conservatory of Music's strength and grace in organizing professional competitions on the international stage. This event reflects the Central Conservatory of Music's commitment to shouldering new cultural missions with a high degree of cultural confidence, allowing the voice, warmth, and spirit of China to shine brightly and forge ahead in the international arena.
Behind the scenes of this competition lies the tireless efforts and dedication of countless staff members, imbued with genuine humanistic care and upheld by fair and rigorous artistic standards. Let us follow the perspective of Professor Wei Danwen, Chairman of the Jury and Director of the Piano Department at the Central Conservatory of Music, to delve into the behind-the-scenes story of the "Xiamen International Piano Competition." Together, we will explore this musical event that began with exchange, transcended competition, and culminated in the harvest of friendship.
The humanistic spirit behind the competition is equally touching.
"The 2024 XIPC is not only an event of international top-tier standards but also a music exchange platform imbued with the most profound humanistic sentiments."
As the competition concluded, Wei Danwen shared a brief yet deeply meaningful post on his social media, his words brimming with excitement. He firmly believes that the success of this grand event stems not only from the contestants' exquisite technical duels but also from the heartfelt care that permeated the hearts of every jury member and participant, like a seed deeply rooted in their souls.
The serendipitous surprises that come naturally are the result of meticulous attention to detail. With decades of experience as both a competitor and a judge, Wei Danwen is acutely aware of the concerns and apprehensions that participants face. Therefore, in preparing for the competition, he has made every effort to weave this sense of care into every detail.
"During the preparation for the competition, I revisited the memories of my childhood competitions, replaying the procedures in my mind, and thus I endeavored to address the fears and concerns I had as a competitor in this event."
The competition provided travel and accommodation subsidies for the contestants, significantly alleviating their financial burdens. Additionally, competing in a foreign land, the difficulty of finding practice spaces was one of the key challenges Wei Danwen focused on resolving. To this end, the organizing committee specially prepared exclusive practice rooms for each contestant, each equipped with a grand piano, with space sufficient to meet the rehearsal needs for chamber music or quintets in the second round. Backstage, four pianos were also made available for the contestants to warm up, fully ensuring their professional requirements.
When discussing the highlights of this competition, Wei Danwen's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm: "We hope that the contestants can feel that they are not just participating in a piano competition, but are also attending a grand artistic feast." Under the guidance of this philosophy, the competition organized public benefit concerts for those who did not advance, providing them with more opportunities to showcase their talents on stage. "Contestants can perform the repertoire from the second round of the competition at these concerts, ensuring that every effort and preparation is not in vain." In response to this deep care, the contestants reciprocated with their actions. From the "Outstanding Contestants Concert at Gulangyu Concert Hall" to the "High Art on Campus" events covering three universities in Xiamen, the contestants and the citizens of Xiamen together completed an artistic "two-way journey," forging deep friendships while injecting new vitality into Xiamen, the "Island of Piano, City of Art."
The subtle charm of the East permeates many aspects of the competition, filled with ingenious ideas: the giant panda plush toys used for the event draw not only carry lucky numbers but also serve as ambassadors of Chinese culture; at the award ceremony, the staff's hair adorned with traditional floral pins elegantly showcased the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics to the world in a traditional and refined manner... This truly reflects Wei Danwen's words, "We hope this competition is a grand piano event, highlighting professionalism, a platform for musical exchange, showcasing inclusivity, and a bridge for mutual learning among world civilizations. In the exchange and mutual learning, the vitality of culture takes root." The competition, with its warm Chinese hospitality, touches the hearts of every participant, opening a window for them to understand China, allowing the resonance of hearts to reverberate in the cultural exchange.
Heartstrings resonate, fingertips flow with the sound of China.
Every initial attempt is accompanied by challenges, and among these, the most crucial is the establishment of a benchmark for measurement. What are the essential conditions for a world-class competition with Chinese characteristics? In Wei Danwen's view, from the event's specifications to the control of artistic standards, there can be no room for the slightest complacency.
In terms of specifications, the competition has gathered a number of top-tier judges from both home and abroad, and has set up a second venue for event interviews, with the competition being broadcast live globally by "Music Today." Moreover, fair and transparent judging is also the core of maintaining the vitality of the competition. "If we can provide the judges with an open and fair environment, they will also give fair scores." Regarding the issue of scoring fairness, Wei Danwen has pointedly expressed his stance. To ensure the fairness and impartiality of the competition, the organizing committee has taken a series of measures.
"We adhere to the principle of avoidance; the contestant information provided is stripped of past records, concise and clear; judges never discuss contestants publicly, everyone scores on the spot, and the results are announced promptly, with each judge's score carrying equal weight."
Under such a rigorous mechanism, the judges are able to start from their hearts, without much interference, to give precise and objective evaluations to the contestants with a professional eye and a fair attitude.
A world-class competition must inevitably pursue excellence in artistic standards. From the preliminary rounds to the finals, contestants need to prepare around 200 minutes of repertoire, which is undoubtedly a formidable challenge. "The key is not what to choose to play, but how long one can persist in playing," Wei Danwen pointed out, "This is one of the important criteria for our selection of contestants." While setting strict thresholds, the competition also humanely provides contestants with considerable freedom in their choice of pieces, allowing each contestant's individuality to be fully displayed.
"How to perform contemporary Chinese piano works well?" This is another test for the contestants and an important way to convey the voice of China to the world. In the semi-finals, 24 contestants performed the same piece, "Evening Window," commissioned by the Xiamen International Piano Competition and composed by Gao Ping. "This piece greatly exceeded our expectations," Wei Danwen praised without stint, "A good piece can showcase the characteristics of each pianist and give everyone space to express their creativity, and 'Evening Window' is just such a piece." Therefore, even though it was performed repeatedly, each interpretation of "Evening Window" had different nuances and still brought fresh artistic feelings to the judges. Performing Chinese works at a world-facing event is a recognition of the composer's creative talent and a demonstration of the confidence and inclusiveness of Chinese music culture. In Wei Danwen's view, good Chinese works should go global. "We need to promote contemporary Chinese music," Wei Danwen emphasized, "Music knows no borders, Chinese works should not be limited to Chinese performers, truly good works should be appreciated and performed by people all over the world." Letting the world see China and hear the voice of China is a mission that the Central Conservatory of Music has been striving to fulfill; every note played tells a story of China; every round of applause is proof that music is borderless and hearts are connected. Moving towards the world and towards the peak, we have never stopped.
How can a single competition hold infinite possibilities?
This year marks the inaugural hosting of the Xiamen International Piano Competition. As an international piano gala, a showcase platform gathering outstanding performing talents, and a significant opportunity to present China's image on the world stage, opportunities, challenges, and expectations coexist in this competition. Reflecting on the initial preparations for the competition, Wei Danwen said:
"Music is a bridge that connects people, and this is also an important reason why we hold competitions. There are thousands of piano competitions in the world, and what we should consider is how to make this competition stand out from the rest."
The process of planning and hosting is one of meeting challenges, constant adjustment, and repeated construction. "The biggest challenge we face is, as a first-time event, how to attract high-level competitors and create a high-standard competition." The pre-competition registration of competitors was certainly one of Wei Danwen's greatest concerns. From increasing the prize money standards, allowing freedom in the choice of repertoire, to fully demonstrating humanistic care, the organizing committee has explored and attempted various angles, combining objective conditions with emotional experiences, to attract high-level competitors. Ultimately, the inaugural Xiamen International Piano Competition attracted more than 150 competitors from 17 countries and regions, with 24 competitors coming to Xiamen to participate in the main event. This is not only the first attempt and a brilliant beginning to establish a reputation and expand influence but also an important part and a key pathway to showcase "Chinese standards" and integrate into the world stage.
Wei Danwen repeatedly mentioned, "What moved me deeply, even shocked me, was the sincere cooperation and dedicated responsibilities among the various departments of the Central Conservatory of Music, including the youthful energy of the student volunteers, all coming together to construct a gala that rivals international competition standards." Indeed, it is the gathering of sunlight that creates a flame, and the clenching of fingers that forms a fist. From the scheduling of competitors and judges, to the coordinated execution of competitions, concerts, and masterclasses, to the behind-the-scenes support of instrument maintenance and piano tuning, the concerted and meticulous behavioral philosophy among departments was fully displayed. Their professional expertise and resolute practical abilities ensured the orderly progression of each segment, achieving "expertise in specialized fields." "Many people coming together to accomplish one thing is a unique experience and a memory worth recalling repeatedly in life. In this competition, we not only did our best but also succeeded and excelled, creating a brand with our own distinctive features." It is the unity and effective collaboration of all staff members that collectively created an international event with highlights, originality, and warmth.
The successful conclusion of this high-standard, high-quality, and highly effective world-class competition, overcoming challenges and pooling collective wisdom, is a testament to the collective strength of the Central Conservatory of Music and the strong support from various units in Xiamen. Wei Danwen mentioned, "In this competition, the Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra overcame the effects of jet lag upon their return, faced the difficulty of the pieces head-on, and meticulously planned their time to ensure the competition was completed at a high level and quality. At the same time, the Xiamen Municipal Government's high regard for this competition, along with the practical and effective school-local cooperation with the Central Conservatory of Music over the past year, jointly promoted the stable and orderly progress of the competition." Like a tree that grows a thousand feet tall, rooted in fertile soil and thriving towards the sun, the successful hosting of the 2024 Xiamen International Piano Competition, with the Central Conservatory of Music and the Xiamen Municipal Government joining hands and working closely together, has truly established Xiamen as a city of art and a music island, embedding the musical emblem represented by Gulangyu and the piano in the hearts of every competition participant, taking root and spreading overseas.
Challenge, cooperation, and support are all indispensable elements in constructing a world-class event that combines artistic standards with humanistic sentiments. "It is precisely because of our all-out efforts that we were able to jointly complete such a professional and leading international piano competition, thereby generating appeal and cohesion, and transforming it into a powerful driving force that propels us forward." A competition is a relay of the mission and responsibility for Chinese piano performance and piano education, a friendly exchange to enhance international influence and recognition, and an unremitting pursuit to integrate the voice of China into the world stage.
Promote individuality, emphasize practice, and find freedom amidst the vast waves.
As the vanguard of piano talent cultivation in China and a leading voice that continuously projects outward, the Central Conservatory of Music has drawn inspiration and lessons from hosting an international competition and witnessing a high-level contest of skills. Wei Danwen reflected, "Through this competition, we are also contemplating how to ensure the stability of our students' performances and how to make them shine even brighter during the cultivation process." This is not only the cornerstone and focus of daily teaching but also the standard and measure in the arena of competition. Taking the practice and insights from the competition as an opportunity, we place the real and clear teaching direction and shaping standards within the current perspective.
Wei Danwen emphasized, "First, it is essential to accumulate and ensure a considerable repertoire, using it as a fundamental standard; second, to improve comprehensive qualities, expand experience in chamber music and related fields, making music a common language of communication; third, to cultivate the ability to analyze contemporary music works, enriching the interpretation and comprehension of the pieces; fourth, to develop English communication skills, opening a window to the world."
Guided by the cultivation of high-quality, versatile talents with solid professional skills, broad vision, and communicative abilities, we continue to advance on the path of surpassing ourselves and the present.
Taking this competition as an opportunity, Wei Danwen continuously explores and appreciates the unique advantages and differentiated personalities of our students. He mentioned, "The preparation process for the competition is very meaningful. Through the competition, I found that our students refine their pieces more meticulously compared to other competitors. This stems from our teaching philosophy keeping pace with the times and the richer practical opportunities we provide." On the eve of this competition and during daily teaching, Wei Danwen actively provides performance opportunities for piano students, whether through the regular weekly concerts or collaborations with major concert halls. All these are driven by the actual needs of the students and the direction of talent cultivation goals, practicing through performance, and growing through the tempering of experience. Wei Danwen firmly stated, "As the head of the piano department, creating an open teaching environment and providing more stages and opportunities is my important duty." Steady and unhurried, in the exchange and comparison with other competitors, it has gradually become clear that beyond practical opportunities, the accumulation of experience on the competition stage is equally important, which also sets higher requirements and deeper levels for the future talent cultivation in the piano department of the Central Conservatory of Music.
In recent years, the Piano Department has been constantly reflecting on and exploring its educational philosophy and teaching syllabus. Wei Danwen believes that "university education is about seeking one's self. Through personalized education, students' abilities and specialties can be further unleashed." From the requirements for the volume of repertoire to the expansion of performance forms, the department has paid comprehensive attention to the presentation forms that have emerged and developed in today's international competitions and implemented them in actual teaching. What we expect is not uniformity but individual excellence. Mao Xuanyi won the "Arnold Freymuth Special Prize" in the finals of the 12th German International Piano Award (the first time this award was presented in the history of the competition), Li Zhexiang won the first place in the 26th Santa Cecilia International Piano Competition in Portugal and the second place in the 2024 Xiamen International Piano Competition, Wei Zijian won the first place in the 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition, and Guo Yiming won the fifth place in the 2024 Xiamen International Piano Competition. The emergence of many international competition winners is a powerful testament to the upward development of teaching concepts and also showcases the strength and brilliant achievements of the Central Conservatory of Music in cultivating top-notch talents. In the future, we believe that the students of the Central Conservatory of Music will shine even more.
Using music as a bridge, and friendship as the sail.
As the conversation with Wei Danwen drew to a close, we seemed to be transported back to that unforgettable "journey," with different characters and scenes from the competition flashing through our minds like frames from a movie. On those special nights, we witnessed one exquisite musical feast after another, deeply moved by the artistic ideals and professional expertise of the competitors, deeply admiring the relentless efforts and noble character of each judge, and deeply touched by the tireless and unsung work of every behind-the-scenes staff member. It is worth mentioning that at the end, competitors of different nationalities and languages spontaneously pushed their tables together, and in their smiles, hugs, and cheers, the tension and anxiety of the competition dissipated, leaving only the deep friendship and spiritual resonance to reverberate at that moment. I think this is the true significance of this year's Xiamen International Piano Competition.
As Dean Yu Feng said, "What we aim to do is not just to host a competition, but to build a platform."
"The best promotion for a competition is the outstanding level of its winners."
We believe that the warmth of this competition will be carried by these competitors to all corners of the world; we look forward to taking the Xiamen International Piano Competition as an opportunity, in the name of culture, to enjoy the beauty of art, to build a stage for exchange, and to continuously establish a platform for the exchange of world piano performance talents. With an inclusive attitude, we will provide competitors from various countries with the space to fully express and showcase themselves, to strengthen international cultural exchange and dialogue, and to gather strength to showcase the elegance of China to the world!
Planning: Wang Xin
Interview: Liu Xiaoqian, Gao Longyi
Text Coordination: Liu Xiaoqian
Written by: Gao Longyi, Huang Xiaochang
Editor in Charge: Jingjing
