On 1 & 2 February 2025, the three laureates of the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition delivered two unforgettable performances alongside the acclaimed Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra in the iconic Sala Silvestre Revueltas at the Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli, located in the heart of Mexico City.
What prompted this collaboration? Rewind back to Round IV of the 2024 competition, on the stage of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, TX. Yungyung Guo, Tatiana Dorokhova, and Young Sun Choi had just each performed a piano concerto with the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra. After arduous deliberation, Chair of the Gurwitz Jury Scott Yoo arrived back on stage to reveal the medal order of the three finalists, but he also had another announcement. As the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, Yoo invited all three laureates to perform with them again, in Mexico City!
The Three Concerti
Almost exactly a year later, and the laureates along have made their way to Mexico City to perform another set of piano concertos. So what did each laureate choose?
Gold medalist Yungyung Guo chose Mozart’s Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595, notable as being one of the composer final works premiered before his death and being one of his more experimental and expressive concerti.
Silver medalist Tatiana Dorokhova performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 58, which is considered by many to be one of the pinnacles of piano concerto repertoire and is an audience favorite, much like Dorokhova’s award title received at Round III of the Gurwitz 2024.
Bronze medalist Young Sun Choi performed Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, Op. 43. This work resembles concerti but is actually a concertante made up of twenty four variations in sets, instead of typical concerto movement structure.
But that’s not all they performed. Included in the program was Albert Lavignac’s Galop-Marche à huit mains. This piece is for piano six hands, so the audience witness all laureates snug tight onto the single piano onstage.
Many of the Musical Bridges Around the World staff and supporters of The Gurwitz were also there in person to witness this celebration of classical music in Mexico City, which is one San Antonio’s Friendship Cities (established in 2019).
Six Hands at the Airport
Before returning to San Antonio, TX, the laureates treated travelers at the Mexico City International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez) to an impromptu six hand piano performance. This unexpected encore was a fitting conclusion to their inspiring trip, leaving a lasting impression on the staff and passersby. Check out the video clip here.
As the laureates continue their musical journeys, these performances in Mexico City will be remembered as a defining chapter in their careers.
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