I'm just back from New York, where I auditioned for the Gina Bachauer competition. The level there was SO high- and I only heard about ten of the eighty contestants from that auditition site alone. Those included Eric Lu performing a fantastic version of the Bach first partita and the Chopin Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Kate Liu, who's Ondine only improves, Angie Zhang, who is always terrific on Liszt, and a number of other impressive contestants. Considering they only choose 30 from all over the world to compete in the competition in June, I doubt I will be chosen, but I still performed pretty well, considering my finger issues.
This is the video from the competition- it is taken on a handheld photo camera, and the audio "compensates"- that is, when there is less volume, the camera makes it louder, so dynamics are pretty much inaudible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQXL7sD_Xw
And in case Milou reads this, Yes! Aimi Kobayashi is doing this competition- I heard from a mutual friend/competitor in Japan that her October audition with Prokofiev sonata 3 and Chopin Sonata 2 was alltogether a very successful sounding audition.

Having heard you play this in person before, I can testify that the recording's dynamics do not do justice to the depth of your interpretation. But it looks like this was a great audition, and I'm glad to see you've overcome your finger troubles. Good luck!


-Jason

Cool!
(Can you say where it was?)


+1

BTW, the Bachauer organization did an amateur competition in 2003, and it was terrific. I and many others are disappointed that they didn't do it again thereafter. The Salt Lake City venue is a wonderful place to play a competition.

I wish you the best of luck, Rachel. I've heard past competitions and you're correct that the level is high. I'm hoping that your finger is better(?) All the best.

You played that with a gimpy finger! Excellent control. Just getting into that audition is a great signal.

I think that your Schumann Fantasie is excellent, Rachel. Bravo! Especially with your finger... I hope that heals soon! Thanks for sharing that tidbit on Aimi. I wish both of you the best! And BTW, is our mutual friend competing in Bachauer as well?

Yes! She is. Or at least she hopes to be.