Our History

In 1975, an international piano competition was founded in Cleveland.  It was the first such event ever held in northern Ohio, and one of only a few international piano competitions taking place in the United States.  The initial Competition and the nine others that followed biennially were sponsored jointly by the Robert Casadesus Society and The Cleveland Institute of Music to honor the memory of the great French pianist, Robert Casadesus. Cleveland was chosen as the site of the Competition because of the long association between George Szell and Robert Casadesus, and at the instigation of Grant Johannesen (then president of The Cleveland Institute of Music).

The Competition grew and gained in stature through the years, with 1989 marking a turning point in its development.  For the first time the Competition was managed by a professional staff with the continuing support of many dedicated volunteers. The performing career of that year’s winner, Sergei Babayan, continues to grow nationally and internationally.  In addition, Mr. Babayan’s considerable pedagogical skills led to his appointment as Artist-in-Residence at The Cleveland Institute of Music, with many of his pupils going on to win international competitions themselves.   In 1991, a New York recital at Alice Tully Hall was added to the list of benefits for the first prize winner.  Between the 1991 and 1993 Competitions, an auxiliary organization, the Friends of the Competition, was formed.  This group was dedicated to maintaining the energy and enthusiasm of the community throughout the two-year interval between Competitions.

Following the 1993 Competition, several meetings were held in Cleveland to discuss methods to improve the Competition and help it reach its full potential. As a result of these discussions, a new non-profit corporation was formed -- the Piano International Association of Northern Ohio (PIANO).  This organization is made up of people in Cleveland who are dedicated to the goal of continuing to hold a world-class competition in Cleveland.  In July, 1994, the Casadesus family withdrew its name and support.  In response to their withdrawal, and in recognition of the growing involvement of Clevelanders with the Competition, PIANO became the sponsoring organization and the name of the Competition was changed to the Cleveland International Piano Competition.  The Cleveland Institute of Music generously agreed to continue to host the Competition as in the past years.

The first Competition with the new name of “Cleveland” took place in August 1995, to the great acclaim of public and media. A large part of the success was due to the computerized jury procedures which provided a solid impartial anchor to the proceedings. The headlines from the articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer during the Competition reflected the success of the Competition:

“A Musical Triumph”

“Talent, repertoire add to keyboard contest thrill”

“Finalists were all of a kind--excellent”

“Four who would be winners on any concert stage”

The Cleveland International Piano Competition has been recognized by the International Federation of World Music Competitions, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.   Membership in this organization is based on very high criteria, and guarantees the Cleveland Competition a position among the most prestigious competitions in the world.  There are only four solo piano competitions in the United States which are members of the Federation -- Cleveland is indeed fortunate to be one of them.

A live radio broadcast of the entire Competition, to an estimated audience of over 100,000 listeners, has been a feature since the early years, and continues to the present day on WCLV 104.9 FM (Cleveland). 

Beginning in 1997, the Competition has been recorded on video, using a new technique with multiple cameras operated by remote control.    The recordings of the performances and interviews with candidates have been used to promote the winner and make the public aware of the Competition through broadcasts on WVIZ.  Through the generosity of Steinway, the official piano of the Competition, each contestant receives a broadcast quality video of his or her performance in the preliminary rounds. 

An important feature of the 1999 Competition was a dramatic increase in the number of concertos offered to the finalists.  The Board of Directors authorized an increase in the size of the orchestra, which made it possible for the candidates to choose from a list of 14 concerti instead of three.

In 2001 the Competition entered a new era by moving the final concerto rounds to Severance Hall.  The conductor was Jahja Ling, resident conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director of Blossom Music Center.  The orchestra was called the Cleveland Competition Orchestra and it consisted of 10 members of The Cleveland Orchestra along with 35 fine free-lance musicians.  The result was overwhelming.  Below are some sample headlines and comments from the Cleveland Plain Dealer in August, 2001

“Four performers give a grand finale in a great hall”

“The Cleveland International Piano Competition is moving up in the world at a presto pace.”

“Cleveland’s Piano Competition poised for a dramatic upgrade”

“Could it be that the Cleveland competition will one day (become) America’s top piano extravaganza?  If the Cleveland Orchestra enters the picture here, no other piano event in the world would be a contender.”

The prediction in the last quote indeed came true.  After months of negotiation, arrangements were been made for The Cleveland Orchestra to play for the four finalists at Severance Hall in 2003.  The involvement of The Cleveland Orchestra has had a major impact in the classical music world.  No other international music competition has an orchestra of this world-class stature for its final rounds.  The consequence has been far-reaching in the international music community, for potential candidates, and for the fortunate public in Cleveland.     

In addition to substantial cash prizes for the top four winners, the quarter-finalists and semi-finalists also were offered prizes.  A commercial compact disc by the Naxos Company for international distribution was one of the prizes for the winner, who also performed a New York debut at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, sponsored by the Competition.  A booking manager is retained by the Competition and it is expected that the first prize winner will have over 30 concert engagements.

In 2003 the Competition added PIANO/OHIO, a new program for high school students.  PIANO/OHIO takes place in the winter and spring of even-numbered years, opposite the odd-numbered years of the Competition.  The event provides an excellent opportunity for young pianists to experience the excitement of a competition.

The publicity for the 2003 and 2005 Competitions by the Plain Dealer far surpassed anything in previous years.  We are very grateful to the Plain Dealer and to an anonymous donor for making the advertising possible.  We are also grateful to the Plain Dealer for its tremendous coverage of the Competition.  The impact of this is immeasurable.

The apex of the Competition remains our collaboration with The Cleveland Orchestra.  Much has been written about this moment in our history.   Suffice it to say that a wonderful partnership has been created, which will continue and will be a source of inspiration in the coming years.  Plans for the 2007 Competition are well underway.  The Cleveland Orchestra has agreed to collaborate with us again for the final rounds, ensuring the continued growth and excellence of our program.  

The Cleveland Plain Dealer in 2003 declared:

“The event sticks in the mind like an exhilarating, breathless marathon.”

“The participation of the Cleveland Orchestra puts the Cleveland competition galaxies away from the rest of the world’s 600 or so piano competitions.

“Orchestra’s presence lifts concerto stage to spectacular status.”

The Competition has moved into a new era in the world music community, and the future holds much promise.   Many new challenges await and we look forward to meeting new challenges in the 2007 Competition.