The artistic directors of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition talk about the competition they founded in 1999.

What inspired you to found the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition?

When we came to Australia in 1992 we realised that young pianists here had a lot of talent and potential, but there was not enough challenge for them in the country which would allow them to develop to their full potential. This is why Australians were rarely successful on the international platform.

We discussed this with my father Professor Lev Vlassenko and talked about the possibility of establishing a big National Piano Competition which would mirror the requirements of international competition.

How has the competition evolved since 1999?

We believe that the competition has grown strongly and helped to lift the standards of piano playing in Australia. It became very popular in the country and this year we had a record number of applicants. We have also developed the Lev Vlassenko Piano Festival as part of this Biennial event. The Festival includes Concerts and Masterclasses of International and National Jury members, Forum and the latest development, the ‘Little Lev’ Piano Showcase. This is a special programme for children (aged 10 to 16) which consists of...