The jury of the 'Carl Czerny' Piano Competition in Piatra Neamţ was also charmed by Cadmiel Boţac. You can find out what he felt, but also his programme, in the following interview with the 14-year-old.

What was your programme for the 'Carl Czerny' Competition in Piatra Neamţ?

This competition had two stages. The first stage, when I performed the compulsory study, Czerny op. 299 no. 37 and Chopin's Study op. 25 no. 12, was a qualifying one. In the second stage I performed the first movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata and Chopin's Scherzo no. 2.

Were you nervous?

Yes, I was, but it was only natural and it helped me concentrate better. I am positive that the organizational skills of those that managed this competition helped with the contestants' state of mind. And the warm welcome was part of my power to play every last note in tune. That is what my teacher tells me: 'Every note is important, try not to forget that on stage'. I don't know how well I did, but I gave my very best.

What are your plans? Are you preparing for other contests?

At the end of March I will attend the regional Olympiad at Cluj-Napoca and, if I pass, I will be attending the national olympiad during the Holy Week in Timişoara. There are other plans, but nothing is set yet.

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This edition of the 'Carl Czerny' Competition in Piatra Neamţ, the jury was presided over by pianist Verona Maier, to whom we also talked afterwards.

What did you think of the level of the competition?

The level was comparable to that last years with one exception, I might include here the fact that we had some amazing performances among 8^th grade students, but the high school students were way below what we usually hear in competitions, especially since this is a well renowned one.

What did you think of the winner, Cadmiel Boţac?

You can imagine that, since he won the Big Prize and also a Special Prize for the best performance of compulsory studies, he is indeed very good. He definitely fits the profile of previous 'Carl Czerny' winners and, to our minds, the three jury members, the young gentleman from Sighetul Marmaţiei will have, we hope, a career the size of his extraordinary talent and the extraordinary quality of the way he approaches the piano.