Russian International Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza
To be held in San Jose

Steinway Society The Bay Area announces the Russian International Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza to be held at Le Petit Trianon Theatre located in downtown San Jose from May 23rd to May 31st 2003. The eight day competition will include five concerts culminating with the “Russian Extravaganza”. A special package offer of $75 General and $65 Student & Seniors 65 and over has been established for all five events. Individual tickets can be purchased as well for prices ranging from $10 to $35.

The Steinway Society is a non-profit volunteer based organization whose mission is “To promote excellence in piano performance and music education in the Bay Area”. Steinway Society is proud to once again Sponsor and Co-present the International Russian Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza. In our ninth season, the Russian Extravaganza is the 6th and concluding event of the Steinway Society’s 2002-2003 Concert Season.

Founded in the year 2000 by Dan and Irina Morgan, the Third Annual Russian International Music Piano Competition and Extravaganza will feature 40 international competitors from 17 countries and nearly 100 competitors in total. The countries that will be represented in this years’ competition include Venezuela, Ecuador, South Africa, China, Korea, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Armenia, Azerbaidjan, Italy, Germany, Canada, England, Ukraine, and the USA. The event begins with opening ceremonies and a concert by award winning pianist and adjudicator Valdimir Viardo on May 23rd at 7:00PM. Mr. Viardo will also be presenting a lecture and Master Class on May 28th on Sergi Rachmaninoff and the Russian tradition.

We are also pleased to present Russian born Canadian pianist Alexander Tselyakov for a performance on Sunday, May 25th at 7:00pm. The competition will run throughout the week and will culminate with the winner’s concert on May 30th at 7:00PM. The adjudicators for the event will be Jury president Validmir Viardo, Alexander Tselyakov, Namiq Sultanov, Nana Dimitriadi, Sharon Brook and John Bell Young.

On May 31st at 6:30PM the Extravaganza kicks off with the Balka Balaaika folk ensemble. The 1st prizewinner of the 2003 competition will perform and also an opera performance by Sergey Zadvorny, bass, winner of numerous International vocal competitions. Irina Morgan, president of the International Russian Music Piano Competition will accompany Mr. Zadvorny. Dan Morgan will present a live auction. A performance by the jury members will be performed in a “jury flury” playing on multiple pianos at the same time.

Le Petit Trianon Theatre, www.trianontheatre.com, is located in downtown San Jose at 72 North 5th Street. Tickets are priced at $75.00 General and $65.00 for Students and Seniors 65 and over for ALL five events. Individual concert tickets may be purchased as well for prices ranging from $10 to $35.