(Clearwisdom.net) Hailing from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States, nine contestants moved on to the final round in the Chinese International Piano Competition this Saturday at the Gerald W. Lynch Auditorium. In its second year, the competition draws artistic talent from across the global Chinese community.

During the semifinal round on Saturday, October 10, 16 contestants played 19th century composer and pianist Felix Mendelssohn's Variations Sérieuses in D minor, Op.54--a technically challenging piece with a total of 17 variations over the course of around 12 minutes. Sometimes the tune is heartfelt and sonorous, other times booming at lightening speeds.

Most of the contestants are relatively young. A few just made the minimum participation age of 16.

Judges Speak

Judges chose the Mendelssohn Variations Sérieuses because each segment requires a different set of skills. By judging semifinalists on this one piece, it's easy for judges to score each contestant. Not only are judges looking for contestants' technical skill, but also his or her connection with the music.

"We're looking to see if they can fully express the solemnity of the piece," said judge Becky Yao.

One of the variations, a slow four-part harmony, requires that the pianist play each of the different voices in a church choir. Another critical portion of the piece is variation 14, said Yao. "It's a religious piece, so it's got to have that sacred solemnity. We listen for this majestic sound."

The competition, held by satellite television station New Tang Dynasty TV, is part of a nine-competition series that serves as a platform for Chinese people all over the world to engage in the arts. Already taken place this year are the Chinese classical dance competition, vocal competition, violin competition, Chinese culinary competition, martial arts competition, and Han couture competition. Photography and figure painting are to follow in November.