Heida Week
November 18-23, 2019
Each finalist will be invited to play a solo program in a salon setting at the home of their local host. In addition, each will teach a Master Class with promising local students as well meet with local radio stations for live interviews.
All of this offers our esteemed judges the ability to deeply understand the contestants in a variety of settings necessary for today and tomorrow’s well-rounded virtuosi. In addition to the intimate salon performances from each of the accomplished pianists, we will hold Master Classes at the Westport Public Library. This immersive week culminates with an awards reception @MoCA Westport.
- Tickets for each Salon Performance and The Heida Awards Party at MoCA Westport available for purchase below, or call 203-222-7070.
- Observation of Master Classes held at The Westport Library is free of charge and open to the public.
Heida Week
The Heida International Music Competition
November 18 – 23
Join us for a week-long series of intimate salon concerts by the four Finalists chosen by our esteemed panel of judges as we celebrate the return of The Heida Hermanns International Music Competition.

Veniamin Blokh

Priscila Navarro

Sahun Hong

Stephanie Tang
Final Round Judges / Host

Frederic Chiu
Judge
With a vibrant concert schedule, a legacy of 28 CDs, and a stream of superlatives from major critics around the globe, pianist Frederic Chiu occupies a special place in the world of classical music. In an eclectic career encompassing unusual collaborations and little-played repertoire, along with explorations into the psychology of performance, Mr. Chiu has demonstrated an ability to go beyond boundaries and to bring listeners with him.

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Judge
British pianist Simon Mulligan has been described by The Times of London as ‘the most abundantly gifted of pianists’, by Yehudi Menuhin as ‘one of the finest pianists I have ever had the pleasure of performing with’ and by Herbie Hancock as ‘phenomenal’. Following his début with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon has performed and recorded with the BBC Symphony, Detroit Symphony (under Slatkin), and English Symphony Orchestra (Boughton), to name a few.

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Judge
Lauded for “superb playing” and “poised, alert musicianship” by the Boston Globe, and labeled “definitely a man to watch” by London’s The Independent, American pianist Spencer Myer is one of the most respected and sought-after artists on today’s concert stage.

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Host
Alexander Platt has built a unique career spanning the worlds of symphony, chamber music and opera as conductor, music director, curator and host. Based in Chicago and New York, he is Music Director of the La Crosse Symphony, the Waukegan Symphony, and the Wisconsin Philharmonic, as well as Curator of Concerts at MoCA Westport; he spends his summers as Music Director of the Maverick Concerts in Woodstock, New York, the oldest summer chamber-music festival in America.

