The Road We Walk On

140 | Queen Elisabeth Competition

Brussels, Belgium

On December the 2nd, Rona, Seokhoon, Prof Maria and Prof James landed in Brussels Airport. The first round of competition was two days away, so they came ahead of time to allow Seokhoon and Rona to adjust to the time difference and weather. All together there will be three rounds for the competition. The first round candidates are given a 20 minute recital, after which 24 are chosen to move onto the semi-finales.

Next, the 24 semi-finalists will perform a more substantial recital, as well as a concerto with a chamber orchestra; those two performances take place on two different days. This only for those who are in the instrumental category. This differs for those in the Voice category.  In their case, the candidates will only be performing in recital for both the first round and the semi-final. Eventually, the finalists perform, with a symphony orchestra, at the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts

*recital means that the performer is alone on the stage.

One thing unique about the Queen Elisabeth Competition is what happens in between the semi-finals and finals. After the semi-final, the finalists in the instrumental competitions are accommodated in the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, where they can study, without any external assistance, a new work to be performed with an orchestra. A new work is also a compulsory part of the programme for the semi-final recital.

As such Seokhoon would be under more pressure because this would really be the first time where he would have to actually write new music. The first round will take place on December the 4th (for piano), after which came the Voice categories first round on December the 6th. The semi finals for the piano category will take place on the 12th and the 13th of December and the Voice on the 14th of December. After the semi-finals for the instrumental category have been completed, the candidates will go to the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel where they can study and create a new work required for the finals; those in the instrumental category will have a week to prepare for the semi finals.

Finally, the finales will take place on December the 20th for piano and December the 17th for voice. Only a total of 12 will be selected to go into the final and from the 12 the top 6 would be ranked and given prizes and the title of 'laureate. Overall this competition is very intense and strict, particularly more for the instrumental category as opposed to the voice, but if they do manage to place into top 6, it means that they are internationally recognised as upcoming talented classical musicians.

All the candidates are judged by a jury made up of internationally renowned figures. The chairperson of the jury is a member of the Competition's Executive Committee and does not vote.

*Chairperson of the jury also chairs the Artistic Committees appointed for each edition of the Competition. His or Her role is to decide on the Competition's artistic standards and on the repertoire to be prepared by the candidates.

With that Seokhoon and Rona began to prepare, a month ago Seokhoon already began to challenge himself to write new works. Afterall, he needed to present a new work for the semi-finals (if he gets selected). So he began creating new work ahead of time (from the moment he was informed of the Queen Elisabeth Competition). Within the 2 days, the first round of piano had begun.

Note: The actual process of this competition in reality is different from what I have written somewhat. So please take I changed it for like my own sake hahah, so remember it is not like true for this competition. Also I know in the previous competitions are wrote about, I gave you what music pieces they performed, but please for my own sanity and brain. I won't be providing any of those examples this time. So just use your imagination haha

P.S. Thank you @dengienini for the lovely banner once again.