Two young pianists win awards
The 20th Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad awarded 25-year-old French pianist Jean-Paul Gasparian the Thierry Scherz Prize. The prize is sponsored by the Pro Scientia et Arte Foundation and Les Amis des Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad. The André Hoffmann Prize goes to 25-year-old Austrian pianist Aaron Pilsan.
These two prizewinners performed at the Gstaad Chapel in the Young Talent Series on February 4 and 7 respectively. The Thierry Scherz Prize is awarded for the best performance in the Young Talent Series, and offers the winner the opportunity to record his or her first CD with orchestra. This year, at the instigation of Renaud Capuçon, the jury unanimously awarded the prize to Jean-Paul Gasparian. In the second half of 2020, he will record a CD with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and the Claves Records label, which will also promote it.
The Prix André Hoffmann is dedicated to promoting contemporary classical music. Each year, a contemporary composer creates a piece for the Sommets Musicaux, which is performed by the musicians of the youth series during the festival. The André Hoffmann Foundation finances the creation of a work to be performed in Gstaad as a world premiere, and the composer's residency. This year, composer-in-residence Camille Pépin created the piece Number 1. Aaron Pilsan won the prize for best interpretation of this contemporary piece.
The 21st Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad will take place from January 29 to February 6, 2021, with the violin as the star instrument.
