PIANO COMPETITION GCC
CLASSICAL MUSIC CATEGORY
Eteri Andjaparidze
Steinway Artist / Head of the Classical Music Jury Panel
Georgia / USA
Eteri Andjaparidze, Grammy and Deutsche Schallplatten awards nominee, winner of the Montreal and Tchaikovsky International Piano Competitions, and People’s Artist of Georgia, has performed around the globe in solo recitals, chamber programs, and as guest soloist with major orchestras and conductors.
Highlights of her international festival engagements have included Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, IKIF, Mannes Sounds Festival, NYU Summer Piano Intensive, Round Top Festival-Institute, PianoSummer at New Paltz, Los Angeles International Piano Symposium, Piano Festival Northwest, Apollo Music Festival, Puerto Rico International Piano Festival, Bermuda Piano Festival, Villa Sandra Piano Academy, Todi International Music Masters Festival, Festival International de Colmar, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Duszniki-Zdroj International Chopin Festival, White Nights, Russian Winter, Neuhaus Piano Festival, and Autumn Tbilisi Music Festival.
A Steinway Artist and a sought-after pedagogue in demand for masterclasses worldwide, she is a member of the piano artist faculty at NYU Steinhardt and Mannes School of Music. She has taught at DePaul University, SUNY, and Moscow and Tbilisi State Conservatoires.
Andjaparidze is founder and artistic director of various artistic/educational projects including AmerKlavier, the first piano performance studio named to the International Steinway Artists roster, PianoTheatre and Eteriani. She has curated the Beethoven the Contemporary festival and The Art of Piano series at NYU, and thematic programs for Mannes Sounds Festival and Baryshnikov Arts.
Born into a family of prominent musicians in Tbilisi, Georgia – her father, Zurab Andjaparidze, the leading tenor with the Bolshoi Opera, and mother, pianist Yvetta Bakhtadze, Andjaparidze was educated at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire and Tbilisi Special Music School for Gifted Children. Her professional lineage stems from Heinrich Neuhaus and Konstantin Igumnov through her teachers Vera Gornostaeva, Yvetta Bakhtadze (her mother), and Meri Chavchanidze.
Yuri Didenko
Russia
Internationally acclaimed Russian pianist Yuri Didenko has performed recitals and with orchestras in the best concert halls of Moscow, including Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory and Moscow International House of Music, cities of the former Soviet Union and abroad: Belgium, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Japan, USA, Poland, Malta, Greece, Chile, China, countries of Western Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, South Korea.
The British magazine Pianoforte referred to his performances as “bold, open, powerful, and technically accomplished old-school virtuosity“.
The Belgian newspaper La Semaine d’Anvers wrote of him as a “brilliant pianist“ and mentioned his “large and bright sonority“ as well as dynamism.
His concerts in USA were highly appraised by the press. “Didenko captured the hearts of the audience when he performed several selections by Sergei Rachmaninov“;
– a critic wrote about one of his recitals.
“Immortal works by Schubert, Liszt, and Rachmaninov sounded with an incredible force of conviction, emotional power and brightness under the magic hands of Yuri Didenko, the chairman of the Jury of Dimitrios Vikelas International competition. When the music finds its ideal interpreter, he enchants his listeners, fillings their hearts with beauty, passion, and harmony. Yuri Didenko proved to be this ideal performer“.
– a Greek newspaper “Epikaira” wrote about his performance.
Didenko’s wide and diverse repertoire includes works of different styles – from Bach to Messiaen and avant-garde music of the twentieth century.
Mr. Didenko studied piano at the Central Music School affiliated with the Moscow Conservatory with Alexander Mndoyants and then at the Moscow Conservatory with Professor Merzhanov. Since 1994, he has been on the piano faculty of the Moscow Conservatory.
Mr. Didenko is a prizewinner of numerous competitions in Italy, the USA, and Belgium, he is the winner of the International Concert Artists Competition in Royal Tunbridge Wells (Great Britain). In 2003, Mr. Didenko received the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture Award “For Special Achievements in Culture”.
Yuri Didenko recorded several compact disks with various romantic and XX-century works.
He made numerous recordings on the Russian State Radio.
Mr. Didenko is in demand for master classes in Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Kazakhstan, UAE, Germany, Malta, Spain, Italy, USA, South Korea, and China. He has also served on piano juries of several international piano competitions (as a member and as a chairman of the jury) in Russia, Poland, USA, Greece, Malta, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, UAE, Turkey, Spain. From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Didenko was an active member and secretary of the Rachmaninov Society of Russia. He is also member of the Presidium of the Scriabin Foundation. In 2014 he was appointed a Vice-president of the International Rachmaninov society (Germany).
Zhe Tang
Steinway Artist
China
Antonio Di Cristofano
Italy
Antonio Di Cristofano completed his piano studies in 1986 at the Conservatory “L. Cherubini” in Florence, under the supervision of M. Bacchelli. He further refined his skills with M. Damerini. He has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Chamber Orchestra of Florence, Symphony Orchestra of Lecce, Magna Grecia Orchestra, Sicily Symphony Orchestra, Solisti Aquilani, Milano Classica Orchestra, Sinfonica Abruzzese, Sanremo Orchestra, FVG Mitteleuropa Orchestra, Radio Orchestra of Bucharest, Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México, Radio Television Albania Orchestra, Presidential Ankara Symphony Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, North Czech Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Izmir Symphony Orchestra, Iasi State Philharmonic, Wiener Mozart Orchestra, Toronto Sinfonia, Montreal Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, Slovak Philharmonic, Kaerntner Sinfonieorchester, Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra do Norte, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Thuringen Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic, Euro Sinfonietta Wien, Sofia Philharmonic, Lodz Philharmonic, and most recently with the La Scala Milan Orchestra. He has collaborated with esteemed conductors such as G. Taverna, M. Bosch, M. Alsop, C. Schulz, M. Zanini, C. Olivieri-Munroe, L. Svarovsky, A. Chernushenko, M. Sieghart, T. Kuchar, among many others.
In Italy, he has performed at numerous prestigious festivals and venues, including the Verdi Theatre in Florence, the Festival of the Two Worlds in Spoleto, the Theatre of Alessandria, the Bibbiena Theatre in Mantova, the Puccini Hall at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” in Milan, the Politeama Theatre in Palermo, the Auditorium San Barnaba in Brescia, among others. Internationally, his performances have been featured at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, the Vigo Festival and Toledo Festival in Spain, Jeunesses Musicales de Sevilla, Belles Artes Palacio and Revueltas Auditorium in Mexico, Moores Opera House in Houston, Gates Concert Hall in Denver, Washington International Piano Festival, and venues in Istanbul, Izmir, and Adana in Turkey.
He has also performed at the Rector Palace in Dubrovnik, Smetana Hall and Dvorak Hall in Prague, the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Russia, the Leeum Auditorium in Seoul, the Nancyphonies Festival in France, the Konzerthaus in Klagenfurt, the Gasteig and Herkules Hall in Munich, the Chopin Society in Warsaw, the Glenn Gould Studio and George Weston Hall in Toronto, the Grieg Festival in Norway, the Yamaha Concert Hall in Tokyo, the Shanghai and Shenzhen Piano Festivals, the Hong Kong City Hall, as well as in Switzerland, Albania, Israel, England, Portugal, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belgium, Brazil, Serbia, Argentina, Sweden, South Africa, Estonia, Finland, Egypt, and many other countries.
He has recorded CDs with Velut Luna and Millennium labels, and recently released a new recording of Beethoven Sonatas. In 2006 and 2007, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Konzerthaus and Golden Hall Musikverein in Vienna.
Antonio Di Cristofano is frequently invited to judge international piano competitions, including Compositores de España in Madrid, Varallo, Cantù, Osijek, Gante in Pordenone, Viardo in Belmont, Rachmaninov in Moscow, Iturbi in Valencia, Parnassos in Monterrey, Astana Merei International Competition, Baltic Piano Competition in Gdansk, Bajic Memorial in Novi Sad, Hong Kong International Young Pianist Competition, Nordic Piano Competition in Malmö, Mozart Piano Competition in Aachen, Louisiana Piano Competition, Cleveland Piano Competition, Seregno-Pozzoli Piano Competition, Istanbul Piano Competition, Porto Santa Cecilia, and many others.
He has also taught at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Valencia Conservatory, the Summer Academy in Dubrovnik, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Ningbo Conservatories in China, the SMC Academy in Seoul, the Valletta International Piano Festival, Sofia Conservatory, Thessaloniki Conservatory, the Orpheus Academy in Vienna, and at numerous universities in the USA.
Antonio Di Cristofano has received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from Rotary Club four times. He was a Guest Professor at the Xiamen Conservatory in China and the Academy Orpheus in Vienna. In 2018, he received the Grifone d’Oro Prize from the City of Grosseto, and recently, he was awarded a High Diploma from the Rossotrudnichestvo Agency of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry for “the brilliant development of Russian Culture in the World.”
Fazliddin Husanov
Uzbekistan / Great Britain
Fazliddin Husanov is a pianist of international reputation with a career spanning four continents. He has given recitals in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, the USA, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. He has performed in many important venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Tübingen Festsaal and Los Angeles’ Disney Hall. He has also appeared as soloist with many prominent orchestras, including the Paul Gerhard Chamber Orchestra (Germany), the Kazakhstan Symphony Orchestra, the Uzbekistan Symphony Orchestra and Moscow Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.
Fazliddin Husanov’s awards include first prize at the London International Music Competition in 2001, the Maisie Lewis Award (presented by The Worshipful Company of Musicians, London), the Bronze Medal in the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition and Festival in Los Angeles. He has been privileged to study under distinguished pedagogues such as Tamara Popovich in Uzbekistan, Reinhard Becker in Germany, and Michael Schreider in the UK. He has also collaborated with great musicians such as Lev Naumov, Victor Merzhanov . Since first being invited to give master classes at the North London International Summer Course, these have become an annually sought after experience by the most discerning students. Other master class activities have taken Fazliddin to Germany, “Musik Tage in Brache”, “Musik Sommercamp Freiburg” and the National Conservatoire of Music in Uzbekistan. He combines his career as performer with his role as Professor of Piano at the College of Fine Art & Music, Kuwait.
With his exceptional technique and innate musicality, Fazliddin Husanov is remarkable for his ability to engage the listener, and for the subtlety and romanticism of his playing.
EMIRATI MUSIC CATEGORY
Ioannis Potamousis
Steinway Artist / Head of the Emirati Talents Jury Panel
Greece / United Arab Emirates
Ioannis Potamousis, described by Pasatiempo as the “New Colossus of the keys,” is internationally acclaimed as a charismatic and passionate performer known for his captivating artistry and introspective, poetic expression. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger praised his performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto, noting, “Ioannis Potamousis impressed the audience with his powerful and charming performance as well as his ability to create a dialogue with the orchestra.” The Cincinnati Post highlighted his “great brilliance” and “unique atmosphere,” while Gulf News remarked, “It was worth just to listen to Potamousis play Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody… anyone should watch Potamousis in action—he is thunderous one moment, comedic the next, then delicate as air.”
Potamousis has performed at prestigious international venues across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, including the Athens Concert Hall and major concert halls in Palestine. In the UAE, he has played at Dubai Opera, The National Theatre, NYU Arts Center, and the American University in Sharjah, collaborating with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Dubai and the NSO Orchestra in Abu Dhabi.
In New York, Potamousis has appeared in the Trinity Church Concert Series, the Mannes Festival, and at Steinway Hall, the Harvard Club, and the Metropolitan Club. He has performed concertos with the New Amsterdam Symphony, the Collegium Musicum of Cologne, the Summit Symphony, the Athens State Orchestra, the New Jersey City Symphony Orchestra, and the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra.
Recently nominated as a “Steinway Artist,” Potamousis is a prizewinner of several international piano contests, including the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati (Silver Medal), the International Piano Competition in Santa Fe, New Mexico (First Prize), and the Beethoven Sonata Competition in Memphis. He holds degrees from Musikhochschule Cologne, Mannes College of Music in New York, and Rutgers University, where he received a Doctor of Musical Arts. Currently, he is the Head of Keyboard Studies at Brighton College Abu Dhabi and a Piano Faculty member at New York University in Abu Dhabi. He is also the co-founder of “Pollen – Spreading the Seeds of Music” and has organized concerto competitions for young musicians in the UAE in collaboration with the NSO Symphony Orchestra in Abu Dhabi.
Tala Badri
United Arab Emirates
Tala is the founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA). Born and educated in Dubai, Tala studied music at Royal Holloway, University of London. What makes her all the more special is that she was the first female Emirati music graduate. Armed with a second degree in Management and Languages in 1995, Tala worked for ten years in the financial sector (Barclay’s Bank) and consumer sector (Mars) gaining experience in finance, human resources and management. While still in the corporate sector, Tala continued to teach flute and piano regularly and was heavily involved in the performing arts community in Dubai, including being instrumental in the development of the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre. In 2005, Tala established Centre for Musical Arts, listed as one of the top 100 SMEs in the city by Dubai SME, and continues to work towards developing a purpose built facility for CMA to finally realise her dream of having a fully functional music school in Dubai. Both Tala and CMA have been recognised and honoured with many awards over the years, including Best Emirati Entrepreneur Award and Best Female Entrepreneur Award at the SME Advisor ME – Stars of Business Awards and Friends of the Arts Award at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards.
As well as running Centre for Musical Arts, Tala is also on the Board of Directors for the Alliance Francais, The Advisory Board for the UAE National Ensemble under the UAE President’s Office, The Advisory Board (Music) for National Grants Program for the Ministry Of Culture and Youth and a Founding Member of the Emirati Musician’s Association.
Centre for Musical Arts (CMA) is committed to providing high quality and affordable music education to the young and the young at heart. The Centre for Musical Arts opened its doors in September 2006 with just 6 teachers and 2 administrative staff. By December 2006, the waiting list had swelled to close to 150. By staying true to its mission of ‘bringing music to everyone’, Centre for Musical Arts has continued to grow and attract the finest musicians and teachers who were keen on imparting their skills to the community. In 2014, CMA expanded its operation to accommodate a performance hall, recital room, rehearsal space, cafe, book shop and additional teaching studios. In 2021, CMA celebrated its 15th year of operation – an incredible accomplishment despite both the financial crisis and the pandemic. Today, CMA supports a staff of 45 that run education programs for over 1500 students in their facilities and through managing a music service for 40 schools in the community. CMA moved premises in 2022 to be part of Dubai Culture’s Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children.
Hamad Al Taee
United Arab Emirates
Hamad Al Taee is a prominent Emirati pianist and composer known for his exceptional talent and contributions to the world of music. With a diverse portfolio of compositions and a strong presence on the international stage, he has showcased the beauty of classical music to audiences worldwide.
His extensive experience in composing for symphony orchestras and hosting concerts in prestigious venues across the globe highlights his dedication to his craft and his commitment to sharing his music with the world. From his debut concert in Florence, Italy at a young age to his performances at renowned locations like Louvre Abu Dhabi, Hamad Al Taee has left a lasting impact on the music scene.
Notably, his involvement in significant events such as the UAE’s national day celebrations and COP28 demonstrates his role as a cultural ambassador for the UAE, using music as a powerful medium to unite people and convey messages of emotion and unity.
Through his belief in the unifying power of music and his unwavering passion for creating and performing, Hamad Al Taee continues to inspire audiences and uphold the rich tradition of musical excellence in the UAE and beyond.
Dr. Ahmed Sobhi Rifai
Syria / United Arab Emirates
Dr. Ahmed Sobhi Rifai, a luminary in the world of music composition and education, has made profound contributions to both the Syrian and Emirati musical landscapes. Holding a PhD in Music Composition, Dr. Rifai’s illustrious career began with his appointment as the Head of the Music Department at the General Commission of Radio and Television in Damascus. He also serves as a respected member of the Artists Association in Syria, underscoring his significant influence in the region’s artistic community.
In the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Rifai’s expertise and leadership have been pivotal. He has been appointed as the prime supervisor of Music Education and has skillfully conducted the central UAE orchestra. His original compositions and arranged songs have been published alongside the works of esteemed international composers, garnering him numerous accolades. To date, he has received over 40 honorary awards and certificates from high-ranking officials, ministers, and heads of various government entities in the UAE. Notably, he was commissioned to compose celebratory themes for prestigious competitions such as the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance.
Dr. Rifai’s scholarly contributions include authoring notable books like “Musical Composition: Between The Arab and European World and Its Diversity” and “Theatrical Social Segments for Children.” His involvement in the creation of the National Document for Music Education in the UAE reflects his dedication to advancing music education. Recognizing his achievements, he was recently granted the Golden Visa, a testament to his enduring impact as a musical composer.
Throughout his career, Dr. Rifai has held several key positions:
- Member of the Artists Syndicate in Syria.
- Head of the Music Department at the General Commission of Radio and Television in Damascus.
- Lead music prompt at the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
- Music and Theatre prompt at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.
- Chairman of the judging committees for Music Education Competitions in the UAE.
- Member of the committee authoring the National Document for Music Education in the UAE.
Dr. Rifai has innovated new scientific and artistic methods that have been incorporated into the National Document for Music Education in the UAE. His musical compositions, including those for piano and other instruments, have been officially published in Moscow. His works have featured in various official events, including musical adaptations of poetic verses for the majority of their Highness Sheikhs, the rulers of the UAE. Additionally, he composed an operetta for the Emirati poet Dr. Aref Al-Sheikh for the 9th Sharjah Arab Youth Forum and formed the Central Orchestra of the Ministry of Education in the UAE, leading and executing its performances.
Dr. Ahmed Sobhi Rifai’s academic credentials further attest to his expertise:
- PhD in Music Theories and Composition (1979)
- Advanced Course Certificate in Musical Composition from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow (1980-1981)
Dr. Rifai’s enduring legacy as a composer, educator, and conductor continues to inspire and elevate the field of music in the Arab world and beyond.
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