News
Greetings 2021
Dear friends
Welcome to the website of the Piano Bridges International Competition for Amateur Pianists named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya!
Piano playing, like any other form of art, is a source of man's self-realization, spiritual development, and forming of taste. Piano music has always had many admirers around the world, and amateur piano playing exists on equal terms with other forms of musical art. And all of us who play the piano just for the love of music keep this remarkable tradition – even staying outside the professional music system.
The Piano Bridges Competition was founded in July 2011 in keeping with the best traditions of amateur piano playing in Europe and around the world. Over the ten years of its existence, it has welcomed participants from 43 countries. The competition's main goals are drawing attention to amateur piano playing, maintaining interest in performing among piano amateurs in Russia and abroad, and promoting their further creative development.
The Piano Bridges International Competition named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya is one of the few in the world that provides its contestants with a unique opportunity to perform not only a solo repertoire but also in a piano ensemble – one piano (4, 6 etc. hands) or two pianos. Starting from 2021, the ensemble discipline will be included in the programme of the Competition's online edition.
Another significant feature is the monthly concerts where all contestants can take part regardless of the result they got. Amateur pianists have an opportunity to perform at different venues in St. Petersburg and other cities and towns (Pavlovsk, Veliky Novgorod, Vyborg, Vyritsa, Kronstadt, Gatchina, Moscow).
As part of the offline Competition editions, the jury members give free masterclasses to the participants. Also, every contestant receives feedback from the jury members at a specially organized meeting. Participants of the online editions receive their feedback on each piece and the whole programme by email.
Performing on stage is an outstanding and important event for every musician. Given the current world situation, online performing acquires a special meaning. It is our sincere hope that taking part in the Piano Bridges Competition will be a great opportunity for you to gain experience, become well-known to our audience and get inspiration for your future work.
The 11th Piano Bridges Competition for Amateur Pianists named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya will be held in an online format from 24 October until 14 November 2021.
Good luck!
Welcome to the website of the Piano Bridges International Competition for Amateur Pianists named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya!
Piano playing, like any other form of art, is a source of man's self-realization, spiritual development, and forming of taste. Piano music has always had many admirers around the world, and amateur piano playing exists on equal terms with other forms of musical art. And all of us who play the piano just for the love of music keep this remarkable tradition – even staying outside the professional music system.
The Piano Bridges Competition was founded in July 2011 in keeping with the best traditions of amateur piano playing in Europe and around the world. Over the ten years of its existence, it has welcomed participants from 43 countries. The competition's main goals are drawing attention to amateur piano playing, maintaining interest in performing among piano amateurs in Russia and abroad, and promoting their further creative development.
The Piano Bridges International Competition named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya is one of the few in the world that provides its contestants with a unique opportunity to perform not only a solo repertoire but also in a piano ensemble – one piano (4, 6 etc. hands) or two pianos. Starting from 2021, the ensemble discipline will be included in the programme of the Competition's online edition.
Another significant feature is the monthly concerts where all contestants can take part regardless of the result they got. Amateur pianists have an opportunity to perform at different venues in St. Petersburg and other cities and towns (Pavlovsk, Veliky Novgorod, Vyborg, Vyritsa, Kronstadt, Gatchina, Moscow).
As part of the offline Competition editions, the jury members give free masterclasses to the participants. Also, every contestant receives feedback from the jury members at a specially organized meeting. Participants of the online editions receive their feedback on each piece and the whole programme by email.
Performing on stage is an outstanding and important event for every musician. Given the current world situation, online performing acquires a special meaning. It is our sincere hope that taking part in the Piano Bridges Competition will be a great opportunity for you to gain experience, become well-known to our audience and get inspiration for your future work.
The 11th Piano Bridges Competition for Amateur Pianists named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya will be held in an online format from 24 October until 14 November 2021.
Good luck!
Recording requirements
Dear friends,
We are getting numerous questions about simultaneous recording of video and audio on different equipment (videocamera + audio-recorder) with subsequent substitution of audio-track in video-file. Swift advice (and easiest solution) will be to feed audio from your recorder’s line/headphone output directly to your video-camera’s line/external mic input during the shooting. And no subsequent software operations needed.
However, our technical advisors say audio track change can be accepted but only if both video and corresponding audio are absolutely intact, entire program (all works!) is shot/recorded complete with one take in single file, without any further editing: no deleted pauses between the works, no compilation from deferent takes, no sound improvements (even normalizing) etc. Just press “Record” and then “Stop” simultaneously on both equipments – perform your program in full – and after that just change the audio-track in video file.
Simple examination (meta-data) in every major editing software will immediately show any slightest editing done to your audio. We will have to make this examination with every application to ensure every participant follows our regulations.
Once again, the crucial advice is never use auto recording level (AGC, automatic gain control) – only manual! All recorders and many (even entry-level) video-cameras have this feature. Remember: even best performance can be ruined by inferior recording quality.
And the last: with any chance use professional assistance – you will never regret. No sweat, no tech disasters, full concentration on performance, (therefore) your best results – and, last but not least, irrespective of any competition you will have a great recording of your performance that you will gladly enjoy and share for many years to come.
We are getting numerous questions about simultaneous recording of video and audio on different equipment (videocamera + audio-recorder) with subsequent substitution of audio-track in video-file. Swift advice (and easiest solution) will be to feed audio from your recorder’s line/headphone output directly to your video-camera’s line/external mic input during the shooting. And no subsequent software operations needed.
However, our technical advisors say audio track change can be accepted but only if both video and corresponding audio are absolutely intact, entire program (all works!) is shot/recorded complete with one take in single file, without any further editing: no deleted pauses between the works, no compilation from deferent takes, no sound improvements (even normalizing) etc. Just press “Record” and then “Stop” simultaneously on both equipments – perform your program in full – and after that just change the audio-track in video file.
Simple examination (meta-data) in every major editing software will immediately show any slightest editing done to your audio. We will have to make this examination with every application to ensure every participant follows our regulations.
Once again, the crucial advice is never use auto recording level (AGC, automatic gain control) – only manual! All recorders and many (even entry-level) video-cameras have this feature. Remember: even best performance can be ruined by inferior recording quality.
And the last: with any chance use professional assistance – you will never regret. No sweat, no tech disasters, full concentration on performance, (therefore) your best results – and, last but not least, irrespective of any competition you will have a great recording of your performance that you will gladly enjoy and share for many years to come.
Online-format
Dear friends!
We have some discouraging as well as some inspiring news. As you have probably understood by now, because of the ongoing cataclysm we will not be able to hold the 10th Piano Bridges Competition in July. Moreover, we cannot be sure that international transport and tourism will resume their work in full before the end of the year. For now, we have to accept that and focus all our attention on staying healthy.
So much for the sad news!
We have made a decision to hold the competition this year, but…
IN NOVEMBER, IN AN ONLINE FORMAT (WITH VIDEO RECORDINGS)
The category division will remain. There will be only one round.
We hope to have an expanded panel of judges (in such a format, it will be easier to coordinate the renowned musicians’ busy schedules). We will keep the monetary prizes, a performance with an orchestra as the main prize, and the audience award. It is not easy but we are confident we can do it with your help (you can always support the competition at https://planeta.ru/campaigns/pianobridges).
Above all else, we will continue being a unique platform for the creative realization of dozens of pianists from all over the world. Thanks to the online format, we expect an even larger number of participants. All details will be published in the nearest future. We really hope that with our confidence and persistence and your inspiration and commitment we can support a lot of people all over the globe – both amateur pianists and our loyal audience. We strongly believe that music is the bread of life and we would like to share it with you all.
Peace. Music. Bridges.
To all and for all.
We have some discouraging as well as some inspiring news. As you have probably understood by now, because of the ongoing cataclysm we will not be able to hold the 10th Piano Bridges Competition in July. Moreover, we cannot be sure that international transport and tourism will resume their work in full before the end of the year. For now, we have to accept that and focus all our attention on staying healthy.
So much for the sad news!
We have made a decision to hold the competition this year, but…
IN NOVEMBER, IN AN ONLINE FORMAT (WITH VIDEO RECORDINGS)
The category division will remain. There will be only one round.
We hope to have an expanded panel of judges (in such a format, it will be easier to coordinate the renowned musicians’ busy schedules). We will keep the monetary prizes, a performance with an orchestra as the main prize, and the audience award. It is not easy but we are confident we can do it with your help (you can always support the competition at https://planeta.ru/campaigns/pianobridges).
Above all else, we will continue being a unique platform for the creative realization of dozens of pianists from all over the world. Thanks to the online format, we expect an even larger number of participants. All details will be published in the nearest future. We really hope that with our confidence and persistence and your inspiration and commitment we can support a lot of people all over the globe – both amateur pianists and our loyal audience. We strongly believe that music is the bread of life and we would like to share it with you all.
Peace. Music. Bridges.
To all and for all.
Address of the organizing committee
Dear friends,
After the sudden passing of our beloved Natalia, we, her friends, decided to keep the Piano Bridges Competition going – for as long as we can. However, today we see that we are unable to do it without you. It's time to say that for Natalia it was the work of her life, and even more than her life itself. She invested in it all her time and health, working day and night – 8 years of non-stop efforts. But also, she spent on it not only her time but also – now we have to disclose it – all her income and savings. She did it for the sake of her fellow amateur pianists and for the good and future of amateur music making. The Competition had only one minor sponsor, and the entry fees covered only an insufficient part of the budget. Natalia always said that it would never stop her, and worked hard as a nurse all the year round to earn money for the Piano Bridges. She passed away leaving debts behind.
We wrote about that at length in order to give you some idea about the current state of affairs. We have to confess that our own funds are definitely insufficient to keep this project alive. We decided to partly sacrifice our professional and family lives to save the Piano Bridges Competition, but we cannot sustain it financially. Therefore, if this competition (as well as its concert series) meant much to you, if it has changed your lives at least a little, if you think this event must go on to commemorate Natalia's dedication and to unite amateur pianists from all over the world, to give them hope and chance for self-realization – we ask you to support the Piano Bridges as much as you can. It's not only us who will acknowledge your donation but also dozens of amateur pianists from around the globe – and also the eternal soul of Natalia.
You can send your donations via PayPal (the link is found on the Competition website homepage http://www.pianobridges.com/). Bank transfers are also possible. The information may be sent to you directly upon request. All the financial reports will be published.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee and Natalia's family,
Nadezhda Chestnova and Ekaterina Koroteeva
For any questions, please call: +7-950-046-22-72, or email: n.chestnova@mail.ru
After the sudden passing of our beloved Natalia, we, her friends, decided to keep the Piano Bridges Competition going – for as long as we can. However, today we see that we are unable to do it without you. It's time to say that for Natalia it was the work of her life, and even more than her life itself. She invested in it all her time and health, working day and night – 8 years of non-stop efforts. But also, she spent on it not only her time but also – now we have to disclose it – all her income and savings. She did it for the sake of her fellow amateur pianists and for the good and future of amateur music making. The Competition had only one minor sponsor, and the entry fees covered only an insufficient part of the budget. Natalia always said that it would never stop her, and worked hard as a nurse all the year round to earn money for the Piano Bridges. She passed away leaving debts behind.
We wrote about that at length in order to give you some idea about the current state of affairs. We have to confess that our own funds are definitely insufficient to keep this project alive. We decided to partly sacrifice our professional and family lives to save the Piano Bridges Competition, but we cannot sustain it financially. Therefore, if this competition (as well as its concert series) meant much to you, if it has changed your lives at least a little, if you think this event must go on to commemorate Natalia's dedication and to unite amateur pianists from all over the world, to give them hope and chance for self-realization – we ask you to support the Piano Bridges as much as you can. It's not only us who will acknowledge your donation but also dozens of amateur pianists from around the globe – and also the eternal soul of Natalia.
You can send your donations via PayPal (the link is found on the Competition website homepage http://www.pianobridges.com/). Bank transfers are also possible. The information may be sent to you directly upon request. All the financial reports will be published.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee and Natalia's family,
Nadezhda Chestnova and Ekaterina Koroteeva
For any questions, please call: +7-950-046-22-72, or email: n.chestnova@mail.ru
Greeting
Dear friends,
We welcome you to the Piano Bridges International Competition website!
Piano playing is an integral part of music culture, and, like any other form of art, it is a source of self-realization, spiritual development, and forming of taste. Piano music has always had its admirers around the world and amateur piano playing exists on equal terms with other forms of musical art. And all of us who play the piano just for the love of music keep this remarkable tradition – even staying outside the professional music society.
The Piano Bridges Competition was founded in July 2011 in keeping with the best traditions of amateur piano playing in Europe and around the world. Over the eight years of its existence, it has welcomed participants from 35 countries.
The competition aims to draw attention to amateur piano performances, maintain interest in performing among piano amateurs and promote their further creative development.
The Piano Bridges International Competition is one of the few in the world that provides its contestants with a unique opportunity to perform not only a solo repertoire but also in a piano ensemble – one piano (4, 6 etc. hands) or two pianos.
The other significant feature is the monthly concerts with the participation of the finalist and winners of the competition that are held throughout the year at different venues in St. Petersburg and other cities (Pavlovsk, Veliky Novgorod, Vyritsa, Gatchina, Vyborg, Moscow).
The educational part of the competition includes free masterclasses held by the jury members.
Starting from 2016 the contestants will be able to receive feedback from the jury members at a specially organized meeting after the the first round.
It is an outstanding and important event for every musician to perform in St. Petersburg. The city on the banks of the Neva river is especially attractive in July when the White Nights can be observed. We really hope that taking part in the Piano Bridges Competition will be a great opportunity for you to gain experience, become well-known to our audience and be inspired for your future work.
We look forward to seeing you at the Piano Bridges Competition!
Good luck!
We welcome you to the Piano Bridges International Competition website!
Piano playing is an integral part of music culture, and, like any other form of art, it is a source of self-realization, spiritual development, and forming of taste. Piano music has always had its admirers around the world and amateur piano playing exists on equal terms with other forms of musical art. And all of us who play the piano just for the love of music keep this remarkable tradition – even staying outside the professional music society.
The Piano Bridges Competition was founded in July 2011 in keeping with the best traditions of amateur piano playing in Europe and around the world. Over the eight years of its existence, it has welcomed participants from 35 countries.
The competition aims to draw attention to amateur piano performances, maintain interest in performing among piano amateurs and promote their further creative development.
The Piano Bridges International Competition is one of the few in the world that provides its contestants with a unique opportunity to perform not only a solo repertoire but also in a piano ensemble – one piano (4, 6 etc. hands) or two pianos.
The other significant feature is the monthly concerts with the participation of the finalist and winners of the competition that are held throughout the year at different venues in St. Petersburg and other cities (Pavlovsk, Veliky Novgorod, Vyritsa, Gatchina, Vyborg, Moscow).
The educational part of the competition includes free masterclasses held by the jury members.
Starting from 2016 the contestants will be able to receive feedback from the jury members at a specially organized meeting after the the first round.
It is an outstanding and important event for every musician to perform in St. Petersburg. The city on the banks of the Neva river is especially attractive in July when the White Nights can be observed. We really hope that taking part in the Piano Bridges Competition will be a great opportunity for you to gain experience, become well-known to our audience and be inspired for your future work.
We look forward to seeing you at the Piano Bridges Competition!
Good luck!
