Italian Pianist Luca Buratto Wins 2015 Honens Piano Competition

CALGARY, AB, September 11, 2015—Italian pianist Luca Buratto (age 22) has been named Laureate of the 2015 Honens Piano Competition. He wins the world’s largest piano prize of $100,000 (CAN) and an artistic and career development program valued at a half million dollars.  Finalists Henry Kramer (United States / age 28) and Artem Yasynskyy (Ukraine / age 27) each received a Raeburn Prize of $10,000 (CAN).
 
“This has been an incredible search for the Complete Pianist,” said Stephen McHolm, Honens’ Artistic Director.  “We look forward to helping Luca take the next important step in his career.”
 
The Competition’s jury included pianists Alessandra Ammara, Janina Fialkowska and Pedja Muzijevic; Jeremy Geffen (Director, Artistic Planning at Carnegie Hall), Charles Hamlen (Artistic Advisor, Orchestra of St Luke’s and former head of IMG Artists), Paul Hughes (BBC Symphony Orchestra General Manager), and Costa Pilavachi (Universal Music Group International’s Senior Vice President of Classical A&R).  The Jury announced its decision following the Finalists’ performances with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier on September 10 and 11, 2015.
 
“All of us on the jury, as well as the audiences at Jack Singer Concert Hall, have experienced two weeks of exhilarating, world-class pianism,” said Jury Chairman Charles Hamlen. “Once again, the Honens Piano Competition has shown that it brings to Calgary some of the finest and most creative musicians from around the world. We offer our sincerest congratulations to all of the pianists, with a special nod to 2015 Honens Laureate, Luca Buratto.”
 
Luca Buratto made his debut in 2003 at age ten in the Sala Verdi of the Conservatory of Milan, performing music by his great grandfather Renzo Massarani on Holocaust Remembrance Day.  He has since appeared with Milan’s I Pomeriggi Musicali Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica Giuseppe Verdi, Magdeburgische Philharmonie, and in recitals in France, Italy and Switzerland.  Buratto has received top prizes in several competitions, including third prize in the 2012 International Robert Schumann Competition (Zwickau) and the special ‘Acerbi’ prize, awarded to a distinguished Finalist at the Shura Cherkassky International Piano Competition (Milan).  He also took part in the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (Fort Worth) and the 2014 Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition (Salt Lake City).  After obtaining his piano Diploma under Edda Ponti at the Milan Conservatory, he earned his master’s at Bolzano Conservatory with Davide Cabassi.  In 2013, after studies with William Grant Naboré as a Theo Lieven Scholar, Buratto received his Master of Advanced Studies from the Conservatory of Lugano. 
 
Honens discovers, nurtures and presents Complete Pianists—21^st century artists for 21^st century audiences.  Calgary philanthropist Esther Honens dreamed of discovering and launching the careers of the world’s most promising pianists.  In 1991, she established the Honens Foundation with a gift of $5 million, creating a legacy for musicians and music-lovers around the world.  Today, the Honens Piano Competition takes place every three years as part of the Honens Festival—Canada’s International Festival of Piano. 
 
In addition to the $100,000 (CAN) prize, the Honens Prize Laureate is awarded a comprehensive three-year Artistic & Career Development Program valued at a half million dollars which includes: worldwide general management by Honens for three years; recital debuts in career-building markets that have previously included Berlin, London, Munich, New York, Paris and Toronto; residencies at The Banff Centre in preparation for collaborative touring projects, development of repertory and live recordings; mentorship opportunities with established touring artists including Emanuel Ax, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Jeremy Denk, Angela Hewitt, Stephen Hough, Hélène Mercier and Lars Vogt; and a recording on the Hyperion label.
 
Archived webcasts of the entire 2015 Honens Piano Competition can be viewed at www.honens.com.
 
The 2015 Honens Piano Competition is presented by TD Bank Group, the 2015 Honens Festival is presented by Nexen Energy, a CNOOC Limited company; Lead Partner is TransAlta Corporation; Supporting Partners are RBC Foundation and
Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust.  Other Partners include: Arts Commons, Avenue, Calgary Herald, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, CBC Radio 2, CJSW, Deluxe Design Group, ecentricarts inc., Enbridge Inc., medici.tv, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, RGO, SHAW TV, Sunesis Consulting Inc., The Banff Centre, The Fairmont Palliser, Velvet Energy Ltd and WAX Partnership Inc.  Honens also thanks Jaguar / Land Rover Ottawa, Masters Gallery, Nicole Gourmet Catering, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Our Daily Brett, Philip Chong Flower Bar, Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, Teatro Ristorante; and industry partners Calgary Downtown Association, Calgary Hotel Association, Travel Alberta and Tourism Calgary.  Official Pianos: Fazioli / Michael Lipnicki Fine Pianos, Steinway & Sons / Steinway Piano Gallery Calgary. Public and Foundation Partners include Calgary Arts Development Authority / City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Foundation, Alberta Foundation for the Arts / Government of Alberta, Alberta Lottery Fund, Department of Canadian Heritage, Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation and Rozsa Foundation.