Misora Ozaki Wins Third Prize in the 16th International Piano Competition of Orléans in France!

On November 2, 2024, pianist Misora Ozaki won Third Prize in the 16th International Piano Competition of Orléans, held in Orléans, France.

The competition focuses on contemporary music, and contestants compete in performances of compulsory pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries only. In addition to performance technique, the contestants’ programming and the intention behind this programming are evaluated. Thus, the competition offers an opportunity in which comprehensive ability as a pianist is tested.

Misora Ozaki’s comment
For my participation in the International Piano Competition of Orléans, I received assistance from many people in both Japan and Germany, where I study. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all the people who have been supporting me along the way.
This was the first time I had ever worked on pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries only. I became acquainted with composers who were born in fast-changing modern and contemporary societies and pursued the possibilities of new music, and got to know many of these composers’ works. It was a period of experiencing the enjoyment of concentrated energy, as well as astonishment. It was also an opportunity to view music from different angles. The renewed realization that the piano as an instrument has infinite potential has become something very precious to me. From this experience, I will continue to focus on further increasing my powers as a musician!

A concert of the finalists is scheduled at Théatre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris.
Please keep an eye on Misora Ozaki’s future activities.

The 16th International Piano Competition of Orléans – List of works performed by Misora Ozaki

1st Round
-Toshio Hosokawa (1955-) : Etude I – 2 Lines – (2011)
-György Ligeti (1923-2006) : Études pour piano Livre 2 – ‚Der Zauberlehrling‘ (1988)
-Debussy (1862-1918) : Bergamasque Suite 1.Prelude and 4.Passpied (1890)
-Bartok (1881-1945) : Suite Op.14 (1916)
-Boulez (1925-2016) : Incises (2001)

2nd Round
-Isang Yun (1917-1995) : Interludium A (1982) : 11’00
-Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) : Klavierstücke no.1 to no.4 (1952)
– Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize
-Helmut Lachenmann (1935-) : Guero (1970: 88)
-Unsuk Chin (1961-) : Etude no.5 ‚Toccata’ (2003)

3rd Round
-Boulez (1925-2016) : Une Page D’éphéméride for Piano (2005)
-Debussy (1862-1918) : Estampes 1.Pagodes (1903)
-Stravinsky (1882-1971) : Three Movements from Petroushka (1921)
-Pascal Dusapin (1955-) : Black Letters (2020)
-Andre Boucourechliev (1925-1997) : Archipel IV (1970)

Final :
-Gérard Grisey (1946-1998) : Vortex Temporum I
– Paul Dukas (1865-1935) : Sonata in E flat minor (1901) – Moderately lively (expressive and marked)
-George Crumb (1929-2022) : mikrokosmos I Part 1 (1972)
-Tristan Murail (1947-) : Cailloux dans l’eau (2018)

Misora Ozaki’s photo and biography
https://www.japanarts.co.jp/en/artist/misoraozaki/
The 16th International Piano Competition of Orléans
https://oci-piano.com/en/home/

《Upcoming concerts》
Misora Ozaki Piano Recital
Thursday, December 19, 2024, 19:00 Music Salon Aria
https://www.aria-soundlife.co.jp/calendar/
Award Presentation Ceremony and Concert of the 27th Matsukata Hall Music Award
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 15:00 Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall
https://matsukata.kobe-np.co.jp/schedule/5290/
Misora Ozaki & Kaito Kobayashi Piano Duo
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 14:00 Ensemble Hall Murata, Kyoto Concert Hall
https://kyotomuse.net/ozakikobayashi/