Queen Elisabeth Competition: 82 pianists have survived

Young musicians really need heroic courage to tackle the Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the most demanding and exhausting music competitions in the world.

Even if you make it to the final, the fame gained is often fleeting. The deeper motivations are more important, as participants are required to know a vast repertoire inside out.

The 82 pianists who have survived the preselection stage of the 2016 edition (reduced to 76 who will actually take part) have had to prepare, in addition to a prelude and fugue by Bach, a Classical sonata, four études, a concerto by Mozart, and another by a composer of their choice – plus an obligatory work and two recital programmes, each lasting about 35 minutes.

Traditionally, you are expected to know almost all of this music by heart. Those who make it to the final, moreover, also have to master, in double-quick time, a brand-new compulsory work. If you manage to prepare, at a high level, such a wide range of music, you have certainly already made great strides in your musical career. Which is some consolation for those who don't make it past the first round. As always, candidates from Asia or with Asian roots are to the fore. Two Belgians, Yannick Van de Velde and Florian Noack, can look forward to this year's competition with confidence. Both have already earned their spurs and have built up considerable experience in dealing with competition stress.

Queen Mathilde was already in Flagey building this afternoon to soak in the atmosphere.