By John Silverton 
Birley Centre
permission to use both photographs from the organiser, Norah Sande Award (ref. Victoria Henley
The Birley Centre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, will again host the Norah Sande Award, the internationally renowned piano competition that showcases some of the most exciting young classical pianists at the beginning of their professional careers. The event takes place over the weekend of 5th & 6th July in the Birley’s state-of-the-art concert auditorium and entrance is free on the 5th July for the semi-finals, beginning at 9.00 am. Each pianist gives a twenty-minute recital. Sunday afternoon, commencing 2.30 pm sees the three finalists give forty-five-minute recitals. Tickets are £15 (Under 18s free) to include tea/coffee whilst the adjudicators come to a decision.
The Award was set up many years ago with a substantial bequest by the late Norah Sande, in memory of her grandmother, Alice Mary Caffin, a keen amateur musician. The aim is to encourage and support young pianists (18 – 25 years) born or resident in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London. The competition is adjudicated by three eminent judges, with first prize £2000, second prize £1000, third prize £500. The winner is also invited to be a piano concerto soloist with the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Last year’s young winner, Jamie Cochrane, has gone on to perform internationally. The Norah Sande judges complimented him on playing with ‘great clarity’ and ‘surprising strength for someone so young.’
Jamie Cochrane, winner of the Norah Sande Award, 2024]
I’ve been attending the recitals for many years. The repertoire ranges from 17th century Bach to contemporary composers, with emphasis upon the Romantic period and the twentieth century as taught in the music academies. However, there are often surprises. A couple of years ago winner Julian Chan played a truly sensational piece called Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues (1979) by American composer Frederic Rzewski. It was astounding, utilising the piano keyboard with a technique, chords and rhythms of incredible originality and virtuosity. Last year the revelation came from runner-up Yuk Yu Yang playing The Fire Sermon from Finnish composer Rautavaara’s Sonata No.2 (1970). She ended this rousing piece with a stunning climax, collapsing on the keyboard with both arms as if she had fainted. Check them out on YouTube.
What surprises will there be this year?
