I European Union Piano Competition

The I European Union Piano Competition took place in Prague and Ostrava from June 24–29, 2009, as part of the cultural program accompanying the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was jointly organized by the International Dvořák Society and European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA). The purpose of the competition was to deepen the cultural integration of the member states and to find the most promising young pianist of the European Union. The selection of the candidates (first round) was provided with the help of embassies, Ministries of Culture, EPTA organizations, and leading European music schools and institutions. Only candidates delegated from those authorities were accepted to participate, one candidate for each EU country. A total of 27 pianists were accepted to the Semi-final Round in Prague, which consisted of a 60-minute piano recital, performed at the Nostitz Palace. Four finalists where then chosen to perform with one of the leading Czech orchestras, the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly known as the Czech Radio Orchestra), in a concert broadcast by both Czech Television and Czech Radio. Pianist Josu de Solaun Soto was given the First Prize and Audience Prize. The prize included a cash award and a string of recital and orchestral engagements.

Jury

 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|20px|Czech Republic]] Radoslav Kvapil (president)
 * [[Image:Flag of Lithuania.svg|20px|Lithuania]] Justas Dvarionas
 * [[Image:Flag of Belgium.svg|20px|Belgium]] Diane Andersen
 * [[Image:Flag of Austria.svg|20px|Austria]] Walter Groppenberger
 * [[Image:Flag of Estonia.svg|20px|Estonia]] Peep Lassmann
 * [[Image:Flag of United Kingdom.svg|20px|United Kingdom]] Malcolm Troup

Prizes

 * First Prize -- [[Image:Flag of Spain.svg|20px|Spain]] Josu de Solaun Soto
 * Second Prize - [[Image:Flag of Slovakia.svg|20px|Slovakia]] Matej Arendárik
 * Finalist Diploma (ex-aequo) --- [[Image:Flag of Ireland.svg|20px|Ireland]] Fiachra Garvey            -                [[Image:Flag of Portugal.svg|20px|Portugal]] Raul Peixoto Da Costa
 * Audience Prize (by vote) [[Image:Flag of Spain.svg|20px|Spain]] Josu de Solaun Soto

First round
After a three-month-long screening process, 27 pianists were selected to participate, one candidate for each EU country. The selection of candidates for this first round was provided with the help of Ministries of Culture and other organizations.

Semi-final round
June 24–27, Nostitz Palace, Prague


 * [[Image:Flag of Austria.svg|20px|Austria]] Andreas Eggertsberger
 * [[Image:Flag of Belgium.svg|20px|Belgium]] Rafael Theissen
 * [[Image:Flag of Bulgaria.svg|20px|Bulgaria]] Victoria Vassilenko
 * [[Image:Flag of Cyprus.svg|20px|Cyprus]] Eleni Mavromoustaki
 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|20px|Czech Republic]] Ladislav Dolezel
 * [[Image:Flag of Denmark.svg|20px|Denmark]] Kristoffer Nyholm Hyldig
 * [[Image:Flag of Estonia.svg|20px|Estonia]] Maksim Stsura
 * [[Image:Flag of Finland.svg|20px|Finland]] Maija Vaisanen
 * [[Image:Flag of France.svg|20px|France]] Nairi Badal
 * [[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|20px|Germany]] Felix Wahl
 * [[Image:Flag of Greece.svg|20px|Greece]] Maria Stratigou
 * [[Image:Flag of Hungary.svg|20px|Hungary]] Istvan Lajko
 * [[Image:Flag of Ireland.svg|20px|Ireland]]Fiachra Garvey
 * [[Image:Flag of Latvia.svg|20px|Latvia]] Ruta Birzule
 * [[Image:Flag of Lithuania.svg|20px|Lithuania]] Sonata Alsauskaite-Mikule
 * [[Image:Flag of Luxembourg.svg|20px|Luxembourg]] Jean Muller
 * [[Image:Flag of Malta.svg|20px|Malta]] Alexei Galea
 * [[Image:Flag of Netherlands.svg|20px|Netherlands]] Nicolas van Poucke
 * [[Image:Flag of Portugal.svg|20px|Portugal]] Raul Peixoto da Costa
 * [[Image:Flag of Slovenia.svg|20px|Slovenia]] Ivan Fercic
 * [[Image:Flag of Slovakia.svg|20px|Slovakia]] Matej Arendarik
 * [[Image:Flag of Spain.svg|20px|Spain]] Josu de Solaun Soto
 * [[Image:Flag of Sweden.svg|20px|Sweden]] Peter Friis Johansson
 * [[Image:Flag of United Kingdom.svg|20px|United Kingdom]] Mishka Rushdie Momen

Final round
June 29, Great Hall, Culture Palace, Ostrava


 * [[Image:Flag of Spain.svg|20px|Spain]] Josu de Solaun Soto --- Sergei Rachmaninov: Concerto for piano and orchestra nº3
 * [[Image:Flag of Ireland.svg|20px|Ireland]]Fiachra Garvey --- Sergei Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
 * [[Image:Flag of Slovakia.svg|20px|Slovakia]] Matej Arendarik --- Antonín Dvořák: Concerto for piano and orchestra
 * [[Image:Flag of Portugal.svg|20px|Portugal]] Raul Peixoto da Costa --- Frédéric Chopin: Concerto for piano and orchestra nº1

Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra. Theodore Kuchar, conductor.