World Championship Old Time Piano Playing

There are international piano competitions all over the world, and some young pianists readily sacrifice their childhood, hoping that diligent practice will one day help them win those competitions to further their careers. But who want to become world champions at piano playing should focus on a very special style and travel to the Midwest of the United States. On Memorial Day weekend, Peoria, IL, was the venue of the annual “World Championship Old-time Piano Playing,“ and 22 ambitious pianists came to compete. They had to pick pieces that would typically have been heard in American bars between 1890 and 1929, such as ragtime. While the contestants were not allowed to consume alcohol on stage, they were encouraged to wear costumes as would have been seen on barroom pianists of the olden days. Georg Hirsch traveled to Peoria to watch this unique piano world championship.

Listen (in German)

[ Home - English ] [ Home - Deutsch ]