The second in our series of interviews with the jurors for the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia.

Piers Lane is the Artistic Director of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia in 2016 – his first year at the creative helm. He has had a long association with the competition, winning Best Australian Pianist in the first competition and performing the competition’s Opening Recital as a juror in 2004. He is in demand worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician, has recorded over 50 CDs and has been the Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music since 2007. In 2012 he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished services to the arts as pianist, mentor and artistic director.

1. As a juror, what do you look for in a pianist taking part in a competition?
The same as I would look for in a concert performance: the communication of something original, convincing and absorbing, an artistic sensibility, pianistic sophistication, confidence and poise.

2. Did you ever compete yourself, and if so, what do you recall as being good and bad about the experience?
I entered several competitions and found them useful for...