Eleventh Dranoff International Two Piano Competition to Be Held March 8-16, 2008

MIAMI, FL. (Top40 Charts/ Dranoff International Two Piano Competition) - The Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation today announced the 11th Dranoff International Two Piano Competition, which will take place in Miami on March 8–16, 2008. More than $50,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in the competition, which is open to performers from all over the world between the ages of 21 and 33.

The Dranoff International Two Piano Competition was introduced in 1987 as the very first international competition dedicated exclusively to duo pianism. Today the biennial event remains the only two-piano competition accredited by the World Federation of International Music Competitions in Geneva, Switzerland.

In addition to introducing up-and-coming piano duos to international audiences, the biennial competition brings a prestigious panel of judges, including world-renowned two-piano performers, teachers and critics, to Miami for the semi-final and final rounds, which are open to the public.

The application deadline for the 2008 competition is July 15, 2007. Selected piano duos will be invited to one of the live auditions, which will be held on August 30-31 in Brampton, Canada, and on September 5 in Culemborg, the Netherlands, before moving on to the semi-finals that will take place in March in Miami.

The semi-finalists will perform several two piano works of their choice as well as an obligatory repertoire, including three movements out of 'Four Songs of George Gershwin,' arranged for two pianos by Paul Posnak.

The highlight of each of the biennial competitions is a specially commissioned work for two pianos by a leading composer, which every semi-finalist team is required to perform. The 2008 competition will showcase a newly commissioned work by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, one of Britain's most respected and versatile composers and performers.

Well-known for his concert works, operas and jazz performances, Bennett also received three Academy Award nominations for his film scores for 'Murder on the Orient Express,' 'Nicholas and Alexandra' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd.'

On March 16, the top 3 piano duos will compete in the final round, which will feature Max Bruch's Piano Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, Opus 88a in A Flat Minor. The Florida Classical Orchestra, under the direction of Stewart Robertson, Music Director of the Florida Grand Opera and Glimmerglass Opera, will accompany the winners in a grand finale performance.

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett will be the guest of honor at the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation 2008 Competition Kickoff Luncheon on Friday, May 11. For more information on the competition or to download an application, visit www.dranoff2piano.org.