Tel Aviv - Around 40 young pianists from around the world will take part in the 2008 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition, set to begin with a gala concert in Tel Aviv on March 8, the event's organizers said Tuesday. In the first stage of the four-stage competition, contestants will perform a recital programme lasting between 40 to 50 minutes and the 16 entrants who advance to the second stage will have to perform a new recital, lasting up to an hour.
In the first stage of the semi-finals, the chamber music stage, the six selected competitors will have to play a trio, while in the second stage they will play a classical concerto with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO).
Three finalists will be asked to play one romantic or 20th century concerto with the IPO.
The winner will receive 24.000 dollars, the runner-up 15,000 dollars, and the third-placed entrant 10,000 dollars.
The competition ends on March 27.
