Paying tribute to Washington International Piano Arts Competition

Paying tribute to the Founders of the Washington International Piano Arts Competition, pianist Michael Slavin commented, “This is not a competition but rather a celebration of the 25th anniversary of WIPAC, an occasion to say thank you to John and Chateau Gardecki for their work in opening up the world to amateur pianists who can bring immense joy to audiences.”

WIPAC’s 25th anniversary celebration continued for the third day at the Katzen Arts Center at American University with great ‘elan’ as former first prize winners performed movements of piano concerti to qualify for the grand event on Sunday, August 10 at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China. Pianist Michael Slavin was selected to perform the entire Rachmaninoff Concerto No 1 in F Sharp minor, Op. 1 with the Washington Conservatory of Music Orchestra.

Three finalists performed at the Katzen Arts Center, Vanessa Schmithorst, Michael Slavin and Irene Longacre Whiteside.

It is a tribute to the human spirit to witness the great achievements of these remarkable pianists, who are not only captivating performers, but who have reached great heights in their respective professions in medicine, science and education, etc. To find one’s direction in life is a great blessing as Dr. Schmithorst, Dr. Slavin and Ms. Longacre White have so well achieved.

Accompanied by pianist Frank Conlon (playing the orchestral reduction) Schmithorst performed the Brahms Concerto no 2 in B-flat Major, First Movement. It was indeed a performance that was a tour de force. The composer Arnold Schoenberg is known to have said, ”Brahms instrumental technique is anything but flashy, and demands an ability to handle wide stretches and awkward figurations. But what can be played can be played.” Indeed, Vanessa Schmithost met those challenges with great virtuosity.

In anticipation of Sunday’s performance, Michael Slavin performed the First Movement of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 1, which he will perform on Sunday’s event with the Washington Conservatory of Music. He was also brilliantly accompanied by Frank Conlon playing the orchestral reduction.

Rachmaninoff wrote, “Melodic invention in the proper meaning of the term is the real aim of the composer. If he is incapable of inventing melodies that endure, his chances of mastering his material are very slender.” It was heartening to the audience that pianists like Michael Slavin have kept that great Rachmaninoff tradition alive.

As a further tribute to WIPAC, Michael Slavin stated, “Being retired, I have decided to put the time into what I love, and that is to play music.... I’ve played in other competitions but WIPAC is the best.... I’ve played in Warsaw and Paris, but WIPAC really supports its pianists. I’m really thrilled that I met you so many year ago.”

Pianist Irene Longworth Whiteside (who was not competing this year), chose the Camille Saint Sans Concerto no 2., playing with such natural ability that she made the most difficult passages appear second nature.

WIPAC’s previous day’s competitors included Bill Bloomquist, Ilya Bunyakin, Simon Finlow, Kate Grimball, John Sawchuck, Michael Slavin, Vanessa Schmithorst, Viscount Thurston, and Irene Longacre Whiteside. A veritable festival of music, these pianists performed pieces of Granados, Ginastera, Chopin ,Mendelssohn, Bach-Busoni, Rachmaninoff and Schumann.

Kate Grimball particularly mesmerized the audience with a Phillip Glass Eude, that produced the effect of clearing the palette from the highly melodic, romantic, rhythmical repertoire of the prior four hours.

The Chair of the Juror Committee, Michael Davidson, paid special tribute to the dedicated judges, some of whom have adjudicated the competition for many years. Amongst the 5 jurors were Teodora Adzharova, Eric Himy, Frank Conlon, Larry Berman.

WIPAC enthusiasts can look forward to more events tonight at 6:00 pm at the Fraser Mansion and on Sunday at 3:00 pm for the Grand Finale at the Embassy of China.