REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES, DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES, DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION THURSDAY 18TH MAY, 2000
A dhaoine Uaisle agus a mholtóirí.
I am delighted to join you here this evening for the prize-giving ceremony of the 5th Dublin International Piano Competition and I would like to congratulate its sponsors, AXA, for showing how business and a love of music can compliment each other.
There is a great interest in Ireland in the performing arts, which has been heightened in recent years by our many successes on the international stage. The televising of this competition encourages an appreciation of classical music throughout Ireland and it deepens our understanding of the skill and dedication of the performers. It also encourages young people to view a career in music as a realistic option so that concerned parents will no longer ask their talented children - “when will you get a real job”.
The youth and talent of the competitors is inspirational and perhaps a little humbling, and this competition is clearly an important milestone on their way to successful careers. I am aware that in addition to the generous prizemoney, there is a prestigious list of engagements on offer to the winner. More than anything else the opportunity to play for audiences in London, Paris, New York and of course Ireland is a dream come true for many for any young musician.
Tribute should be paid to the many people who have helped behind the scenes including the drivers, stewards and competition escorts. No doubt there are many households in Dublin which have been drawn into a more intimate knowledge of the world of classical music through their involvement with this Competition.
Praise is also due to the National Symphony Orchestra who, under their Principal Conductor Alexander Annissimov, have so wonderfully complimented the performance of tonight’s finalists.
A warm thank you also to the millennium Committee for their sponsorship of the Preliminary Irish Competition.Finally, I would like to congratulate the organisers of the competition – led by John O Connor and Ann Fuller. They are a dedicated team who have developed the Competition to this visibly high level. It is wonderful to see the opportunities and exposure given to the qualifiers, and we hope that the valuable experience they all have gained through their involvement in this competition will bring them great success in the future.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.