Interpretation Prizes

Supported by La Caisse des Dépôts

Blanche Selva’s name has graced the First Prize ever since the contest began. She was a pianist, teacher and composer, who devoted equal energy to playing new works and reviving those long forgotten. The First Prize, awarded to one of the finalists and supported by La Caisse des Dépôts, consists of 12 000 €, a recording of a professional record in partnership with the label B RECORDS and its distribution accross the French and international market and a concert tour and master classes in the Région Centre-Val de Loire.

MANAGEMENT, CONCERT TOURS AND CD RECORDING
Following the Competition and for two years after the Prizes have been awarded, the Competition
organization will offer support to laureates, to help them develop their careers as professional pianists.
To help laureates develop a solid, long-term career, the Competition organization provides artistic
guidance as well as guidance for career management and image.
Over these two years, the Competition organization offers laureates diverse career development
opportunities:
● laureates are introduced to composers and other important figures in the world of contemporary
music to enhance their artistic development.
● CD recording of an original project
● national and international concert tours
● engagements for concerts, conferences and other piano events in partnership with prestigious
music institutions in France and internationally.

Blanche Selva © DR

BLANCHE SELVA (1884-1942) PIANIST AND FRENCH COMPOSER

A talented pianist with the true genius of interpretation, extraordinary reader, she interpreted with an immense talent and an amazing clarity of execution the greatest classical, romantic and contemporary composers. Piano teacher at the Schola Cantorum, conservatories of Strasbourg, Prague and Barcelona where she founded her own school, member of the jury of the Conservatory, she revolutionized the piano teaching. Trained in all aspects of the composition, she was a talented musician, advised composers Albéniz, Séverac, Witkowski, etc. of which she creates the works, composed pieces for piano, trios, melodies and an oratorio. His interpretations were to be felt as the transmission of higher values, prefiguring Beauty and Truth, designed to elevate the listeners soul to the highest level of art. One hundred years ago, Blanche Selva performed Paris the complete keyboard works of J. S. Bach, in 17 concerts.

La Caisse des Dépôts supports the rise of young talents in classical music throughout the country. This policy of patronage aims to support the development of a high-quality and dynamicmusical offer, accessible everywhere in France. Young musicians play an important role in defining the cultural life of tomorrow; it is therefore essential to promote them.

The partnership with the Orléans International Piano Competition is completely in line with our own desire to support structures that find and supportnew generations of musicians.

La Caisse des Dépôts is proud to support the First Prize of the Competition.

Laureates: 

1994 – Shinji Urakabe (Japan)
1996 – Fabio Grasso (Italy) and Thomas Hell (Germany) – ex-aequo
1998 – Ami Fujiwara (Japan) and Toros Can (Turkey) – ex-aequo
2000 – Saori Mizumura (Japan)
2002 – Winston Choi (Canada)
2004 – Francesco Tristano (Luxembourg)
2006 – Wilhem Latchoumia (France)
2008 – Florence Cioccolani (France)
2010 – Christopher Falzone (United States)
2012 – Christopher Guzman (United States)
2014 – Imri Talgam (Israel)
2016 – Takuya Otaki (Japan)
2018 – Maroussia Gentet (France)
2020 – Mikhaïl Bouzine (Russia)
2022 – Lorenzo Soulès (France)