…Tough!
As a frequent jury member, I can assure you that this is a difficult situation not only for the performing pianist (the competitor) but also for the listening jury member. This is the moment when you reveal everything you have prepared for months or even years to an expert panel — it is truly a moment of truth.
Having listened to more than 5,000 pianists in many international piano competitions, I can say that I clearly remember only the four or five who were able to forget where they were and simply deliver the music through impeccable professional and artistic performances.
The biggest enemy in a situation like this is often yourself. You know what you are capable of, yet you suddenly feel frozen on stage. Everything feels different: your technique changes, your hands and arms don’t feel like your own… What is happening?
This is where the “pyramid” of your workflow becomes essential. If you have been working hard and following a clear, structured strategy — like the one I share in my Season One lesson Super Practise, which guides you through the entire process in detail — then you will be far better prepared and more comfortable in such moments.
We have extremely high expectations: we want you to perform at the highest professional, artistic, pianistic, and technical level.
Bartók Béla said, “Competitions are for horses, not for pianists.” With all respect to the great Hungarian composer, that may have been true a hundred years ago. But today, the profession has become one of the most competitive fields in the world. Ironically, in this “race,” the winner is the one who is not only the best prepared but also the one who can remain a true artist under pressure. Young pianists today compete for concerts, opportunities, and recognition — and unlike in the past century, now there are millions of pianists worldwide.
Piano competitions are an excellent tool — an inspiring and challenging playground for young, advanced pianists who want to test themselves on the international stage. They offer the chance to meet colleagues, gain perspective, and understand realistically where you stand, what level you should aim for, and what the next step in your artistic journey should be.
