Backstage at the Cliburn International Piano Competition, the ch

 

 

Backstage at the Cliburn International Piano Competition, the chaos meets the calm By Abby Church Updated June 11, 2022 4:16 PM| Clayton Stephenson performs Liebermann's Gargoyles, Op. 29 during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition's semifinals at Bass Performance Hall. Originally from Brooklyn, Stephenson performs on a Steinway & Sons piano handmade in New York. By Madeleine Cook As he sat down to begin his semifinal performance at the Sixteenth Cliburn International Piano Competition, Clayton Stephenson closed his eyes and inhaled before his fingers began their 60-minute dance across the keys. The Cliburn is a place where the calm meets the organized chaos. Clayton Stephenson performs as a semifinalist in the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook On stage for most, it’s all about the focus on the performance. The chaos starts from the moment the 23-year-old from Brooklyn makes his way offstage, water bottle in one hand and phone in the other. A group of videographers there to film a documentary follow close behind him. Clayton Stephenson walks backstage after his semifinal performance during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook For all performers lucky enough to make it to the semifinal round, the post-performance routine is the same: The whisk away from the stage to the belly of the Bass Performance Hall, the interview in front of the cameras for the competition’s broadcast and the eventual release to a host family. Surrounded by a documentary crew, Clayton Stephenson interviews after his performance in the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook Clayton Stephenson stands on his mark backstage while being interviewed after his semifinal performance during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook Stephenson admits he isn’t used to all the cameras. But the calm awaits — he’ll be in his host family’s pool soon enough. Clayton Stephenson exits the stage after finishing his recital during the semifinals of the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook [e-mail] A piano backstage during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook A monitor dispalys semifinalist Clayton Stephenson’s keystrokes during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook [e-mail] Semifinalist Clayton Stephenson bows after finishing a piece during the 16th Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 10, 2022. Madeleine Cook Madeleine Cook This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 12:27 PM.

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