The final of the 5th International Artepiano competition in the magical town of Castelnuovo di Farfa

Six pianists invited to perform, who had been chosen from over fifty who had submitted videos. They had been selected by a distinguished jury headed by the founder and artistic director Niel du Preez.

Pianists from Spain,Korea,Poland,China and Italy invited to Farfa to give twenty five minute recitals each.

Some fine playing on a superb Fazioli concert grand but there was no doubt about the finest performance, which was infact the last of the evening.

26 year old Alessandro Villalva from Italy took us all by storm ( there was actually a storm in progress outside too). An all or nothing Scriabin Fifth Sonata of overwhelming physicality with a kaleidoscope of colours and a dynamic drive that was breathtaking .

The second prize was awarded to 26 year old Hyunsu Hwang , with an extraordinarily dramatic Dante Sonata played with fearless abandon, but also masterly control.

The third prize ,and audience prize, went to 27 year old Juan Elvira -Márquez, from Spain , who was able to unravel Berg’s knotty twine with extraordinary intelligence and sense of line but the same sense of balance just eluded him on Ravel’s magical Boat ride or trying to swat his mischievous Moths .

There were some fine performances from the other three finalists too .

29 year old WooJung Yoon had substituted Chopin for Mozart which she played with an extraordinary sense of style and self identification . The same that she brought to three dances Sz77 by Bartók.

Mikolaj Plak ,at 21, the youngest contestant gave some youthfully exhilarating performances of Romantic abandon . A remarkable talent but missed the control and schooling of his older and wiser colleagues. .

Chenxi Wang only 23 , gave a very mature account of Beethoven’s penultimate Sonata. Just missing the solidity and weight which will surely come to her as she gains more experience . Her Parallel Movements by Ohana already showed signs of mastery and extraordinary musical intelligence.

All this and an art exhibition by Guillaume Rossignol based on Book one of Debussy’s Preludes.

This is fresh from live performances ,too, of the ‘Goldberg’ on antique instruments with projections of images inspired by the greatest variations ever written.

Nightingales in Berkeley Square watch out ! https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=jRLAstUfIBA&si=zGTiz2Oh0BHK2DHz&feature=xapp_share

Just an hour from Rome , in the most beautiful unspoilt countryside of the Sabine hills .

This is an area untouched by the ‘Chiantishires’ of nearby neighbours and is an oasis of cultural activity.Like it’s nearby neighbour, Spoleto, but much smaller in dimension, and as yet uncontaminated by marketing and mass tourism. It is quality not quantity that sits most comfortably in Castelnuovo di Farfa.

What a discovery ……., but please keep it under your hat, it is too good to be true !

Pavle Krstić Keyboard Trust and Robert Turnbull Piano Foundation Italian Tour ‘Refined artistry and mastery’