In 1999, the founder of the Gina Bachauer competition in USA, Paul Pollei , came up with the idea of starting a piano competition in what he saw as the most exotic place on Earth: Tromsø! Ten years later, Tori Stødle was ready with what was going to be the most important classical music event in Northern Norway – Top of the World International Piano Competition. Not only had she managed to attract a World Class Jury – 361 applicants from 56 Countries, spread across 5 Continents, made sure the Competition could table the best pianists in the World under the age of 35 – in short, the Lionel Messi and Magnus Carlsen’s of the Classical World.
When Top of the World was arranged the second time, in 2011, the pressure from the Elite was even greater. Everyone wanted to take part. No competition in the Nordic region could match the popularity. The distinguished Jury Members claimed that Top of the World now had the highest performance level of any piano competition. Both the Opening Concert, with the winner from 2009, Mariangela Vacatello, and the Grand Finale, with three finalists and KORK, was sold out. And across the Globe, more than 10.000 people followed the live streaming from the trials. In many ways one seemed to have revitalised the classical music interest among both the Norwegians, the Russians and the Chinese.
In 2012, Top of the World extended to also have a Masterclass Youth arrangement, that is happening every second year, inbetween the piano competitions. The idea is to give the greatest talents of the Barent region – in the agegroup 12-17 – Masterclass education by the Top of the World winner the previous year. A vitamin jab for a coming top pianist, one would imagine.
The contributions from Top of the World to the region have not gone unnoticed. Artistic Director, Tori Stødle, was awarded His Majesty the King’s Order of St Olav for her work. She has also received Tromsø University’s prize for being the Best Mediator of 2010.
Top of the World is developing fast. In 2013, it is planning to extend it’s realms and paint the whole town of Tromsø in ”classical colours”, by having mini concerts around town during the week of the competition – in parks, pubs, hotels, shopping centers and other places one wouldn’t normally stumble across such culture. And like before, SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge are providing the First Prize of 30.000 Euros. In many ways, Paul Pollei’s vision for a Top of the World seems to be fulfilled.
