Cleveland, Ohio – Thirty-seven will participate in the Cleveland International Piano Competition, taking place July 30 through August 10 at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) and Severance Hall.

The 10-day event features three rounds of solo performances at CIM, during which the field of candidates is steadily reduced to a final four. The four finalists will perform concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra under the direction of Jahja Ling at Severance Hall to determine the winner.

The contestants, who are among the world’s most gifted concert pianists, will compete before an international jury for cash prizes totaling more than $60,000, an internationally-distributed compact disc recording, two years of career management, a New York recital debut and other engagements.

The contestants were selected from a field of nearly 250 applicants, each of whom was subjected to exacting scrutiny by a specially-appointed selection jury.

The Competition consists of four rounds over a period of ten days. All contestants select music from a repertoire list established by the Competition. The repertoire covers a wide range of music and composers.

The preliminary rounds consist of eight sessions, with each contestant performing for 20 minutes. At the conclusion of the preliminary rounds, the jury selects the top 16 contestants who will then advance to the quarter-final rounds.

The quarter-final rounds consist of four sessions, with each contestant performing for 40 minutes. At the conclusion, 8 contestants are selected to advance to the semi-final rounds.

The semi-final rounds consist of four sessions, with each contestant performing for 55 minutes. At the conclusion, 4 contestants are selected to advance to the final concerto round.

The final concerto round is held on the magnificently restored stage of Severance Hall. Each of the four finalists performs a piano concerto with The Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of Jahja Ling. The first, second, third, and fourth prize winners are announced by the jury chairman shortly after the final round is concluded.

The jury is comprised of nine judges, each of whom is internationally respected in the field of classical music. This year’s jury is chaired by Ms. Yoheved Kaplinsky, of Israel, who performs throughout the world in recital and with major orchestras and whose recordings have won international acclaim and prizes.

According to Karen Knowlton, executive director of the Competition, major competitions have an important role to play in the musical world. “In addition to providing exposure which helps young musicians build their careers, competitions are a wonderful vehicle for building public enthusiasm for classical music and for developing international friendship and good will through music,” Knowlton said.

The Competition begins Tuesday, July 29 with an Opening Ceremony at the Cleveland Institute of Music, at which the contestants will draw numbers for performance order. A Winners’ Concert, featuring encore performances by the four winners, will conclude the Competition on Sunday, August 10 at Severance Hall.