The International Piano Competition of Peter Toperczer, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of its establishment (1993), successfully completed its 17th edition. Its announcer were the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport and the organiser – Mária Hemerková Elementary School of Arts seated in Hlavná 68 in Košice.
The international competition for young pianists under 17 years of age which is held in four age categories – under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17 years of age in
two rounds, took place between 20-23rd of April. 30 contestants from 11 countries of Europe had signed up for the competition, and it eventually featured 21 contestants from 10 countries of Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy, Ukraine)
The jury consisted of the following renowned piano artists and pedagogues: Jan Jiraský – Czech Republic /jury chairman/, Jordana Palovičová – Slovakia, Marian
Sobula – Poland, Venceslava Ilievska – Bulgaria, Ivo Kahánek – Czech Republic.
The competition was held on the premises of the concert hall of Maria Hemerková Elementary School of Arts /1st to 4th category. Slovak Radio and Television has been the principal media partner throughout all editions of the International Piano Competition in Košice. In the first round of the competition contestants play compositions from the Baroque and Romantic period, and in the second round it is compositions from the Classicism period and 20th or 21st century, while duration is determined by the respective age category.
The winner of the 1st category was Ibriqi Valentýna – Milovice, Czech Republic who also won the prize of mayor of the city ward Košice – Ťahanovce. The second place went to Runjak Filip – Velenje, Slovenia, and the third place went to Takine Kotoko – Bratislava, Slovakia who also won the prize of Rizman family for the youngest contestant of the competition.
The winner of the 2nd category was Jasińska Malwina – Poznań, Poland who also won the prize of a Košice artist Janka Sidorová. The second place went to Ilves Stefan – Tallinn, Estonia, the third place went to Ďuríček Denis – Martin, Slovakia, and the fourth place went to Mašlejová Nela – Poprad, Slovakia.
The winner of the 3rd category was Nogiwa Anju – Salzburg, Austria, a talented contestant with outstanding music presentation who also won the prize of State Philharmonic Košice and the prize of the competition laureate. The second place went to Spiz Mara – Zagreb, Croatia, the third place went to Bajer Martin – Brno, Czech Republic, and the fourth place went to Burcl Simon – Nitra, Slovakia.
The winner of the 4th category was Koszela Eryk – Kraków, Poland who also won the EMCY prize of and the prize of the competition laureate. The second place went to Kopko Vojtech Filip – Košice, Slovakia who also won the prize of the Music Fund for the best contestant from Slovakia, the prize of the deputy mayor of Košice for the best contestant from Košice as well as the prize of Mária Hemerková Elementary School of Arts, the third place went to Kalaydzhiev Yasen – Sofia, Bulgaria, the fourth place went to Jejina Maša – Belgrade, Serbia, and the fifth place went to Prievalský Filip – Banská Bystrica, Slovakia who also won the prize of Mária Hemerková Elementary School of Arts in Košice.
The absolute winners of the 17th edition of the competition, with the equal number of points, were Nogiwa Anju – Salzburg, Austria – 1st place in 3rd category and
Koszela Eryk – Kraków, Poland – 1st place in 4th category.
The accompanying event of the International Piano Competition in Košice 2023 was the Concert of Laureate of the 16th edition of the competition from 2019 Eryk Parchańsky from Poland. Eryk gave an outstanding virtuoso performance, specifically these works: Fryderyk. Chopin – Ballade in F minor, Op. 52. The highlight of the International Piano Competition of Peter Toperczer in Košice 2023 was the Winners` Concert of the 17th edition of the competition and awards ceremony at the Palace of Arts. Prizes were awarded to both contestants and their pedagogues.
The International Piano Competition of Peter Toperczer in Košice 2023 once again managed to retain its high professional level, while receiving very positive recognition from both the professional and general public. During the last 30 years of the competition Košice has been visited by contestants and pedagogues from 34 countries.
According to the international jury the International Piano Competition of Peter Toperczer in Košice is ranked among the best European competitions thanks to excellent performances of young talented pianists as well as high level of organisation and the overall proceedings.
The International Piano Competition of Peter Toperczer in Košice earns wide recognition from the general public as well as professionals, puts the city of Košice and Slovakia on the map, brings to the city huge artistic potential, contacts and mutual friendships. It is rightly ranked among most significant competitions in both Slovakia and Europe.
