Los Alamos Concert Association Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin reports on the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Courtesy Photo

Downtown Fort Worth is all gussied up for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Banners line the streets. The Cliburn logo is everywhere. Even the crosswalks in front of the Bass Concert Hall are painted to look like keyboards. For a city that is famous for its stockyards, these Texans sure take their music seriously!

We arrived here Thursday morning on an easy 90-minute flight. For the competitors, the journey was much longer and more arduous even if you discount the years of training and practice that prepared them for taking this momentous step in their careers.

As of Wednesday night, the field of 30 competitors was reduced to 12. Those 12 semi-finalists have survived video applications, live international screening auditions, and two elimination rounds here in Fort Worth. Each has already played nearly four hours of repertoire.  

They hail from eight countries with South Korea in the lead with three. The United States and Russia are each represented by two pianists and competitors from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Italy and Canada round out the field.   

One unique feature of the Cliburn is that the competitors are free to choose their own repertoire. Imagine how difficult that must be! The judges will be assessing their technical prowess, their interpretive depth, their stage presence. Getting the mix just right must take much planning and advice from teachers and other advisors.  

The Cliburn Organization, well aware of the stress these young people endure, goes all out with that famous Texas hospitality. Competitors stay with host families that cater to their every need. Steinway installs pianos in those homes and keeps them tuned and regulated. There is a backstage “Mom” who provides plenty of TLC: snacks, wardrobe adjustments, a heating pad and gloves for cold hands.

During the next stage of the competition, we will hear a 60-minute recital from each competitor plus a Mozart concerto performed with the Fort Worth Symphony. You may join in by watching the live stream of each event. Go to https:////cliburn2017.medici.tv/en/ for the schedule and to watch as the competition unfolds. You can even cast your vote for the Audience Favorite Award!  

I’ll be here for the next 10 days to provide you with some commentary and would be happy to answer questions as well. Just shoot me an email at annsmcl@aol.com.    

Fort Worth looks its best for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Courtesy Photo