The Genova–Dimitrov Duo Reach New Accomplishment

The remarkable piano duo Aglika Genova–Liuben Dimitrov has achieved another recognition in their career. They have accepted the position of artistic directors of the 12th Dranoff International Piano Duo Competition in Miami, USA – the most prestigious forum in their field. In addition, the musicians have achieved yet another glorious victory, which has further endorsed them as leading pedagogues. Their piano students won top places at the same competition, recently held in Miami. The prize-winning South Korean duo Yoo & Kim is currently in the Master’s Program at the Hannover Musikhochschule, as part of the Genova–Dimitrov studio. Yoo & Kim won second prize at the Miami competition – a monetary honorarium in the amount of USD 15,000, as well as a series of future concert engagements. As pedagogues, the Genova–Dimitrov duo are celebrating yet another achievement in this year’s 12th edition of the competition. Only after six moths as their students at the Hannover Musikhochschule, the Ping & Ting duo from Hong Kong placed fourth in the Miami competition. This forum is actually considered to be one of the most prestigious piano duo competitions world-wide. Aglika Genova and Liuben Dimitrov won this very same competition 15 years ago, which in 1997 was a great triumph for them. The jury of this year’s event awarded the Golden prize to the Yamamoto piano duo from Japan, comprised of sisters Ayaka and Yuka Yamamoto. Third prize went to German duo, Impuls. The final auditions were held on May 16, while the top three piano duos performed with the Dranoff Competition Orchestra under the baton of Sarah Hicks. The concert was held at the Miami University Concert Hall in Florida. The Dranoff competition takes places over 18 months, with four rounds, and competitors are expected to prepare a 4-hour long repertoire.