Mathematics and Music come together from june 20 to 22 to form ‘2M: Music and Mathematics’ and the first ‘Villa de Bilbao’ Piano Competition organized by BCAM

• This cultural initiative is part of Bilbomath, an agreement signed between the Bilbao City Council and BCAM to promote internationalization and innovation in attracting talent.
• The main objective is to disseminate mathematical and musical culture and stimulate its development in young pianists.
• The participating pianists, who have registered for the competition, will offer their piano auditions in various categories based on their year of birth, ranging from 1992 to 2016.
• Prizes include a concert at the Sociedad Bilbaina, the Bilbao Conservatory, or the Associazione Musicale Igor Stravinsky in Bari (Italy), along with scholarships ranging from 750 to 1250 euros. Additionally, the BCAM Special Prize will be awarded to participants who include a performance of a ‘Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier’ by J. S. Bach in their repertoire.

What do music and mathematics have in common? At first glance, they may seem like two seemingly disparate worlds, but both disciplines enrich each other. From rhythm to structure, to the creation of instruments and modern technology, mathematics is at the heart of music. Under this premise, ‘2M: Music and Mathematics’ and the first ‘Villa de Bilbao’ piano competition organized by BCAM are being launched.

This cultural initiative will take place on June 20, 21, and 22 at the Sociedad Bilbaina and is part of BILBOMATH, a collaboration agreement signed by the Bilbao City Council and BCAM that aims to promote internationalization and innovation in attracting talent.

The main objective of this initiative is to disseminate mathematical and musical culture and stimulate the musical development of young pianists. It serves as an educational tool to boost their artistic careers and create a space where they can share musical concerns and experiences, all while allowing music and mathematics to flow as independent disciplines and revealing the beauty that emerges from their intersection.

‘2M: Mathematics and Music’ is directed by Luca Fanelli, Ikerbasque Research Professor at UPV/EHU and BCAM, and a pianist.

The event will include a public lecture titled ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Music,’ delivered by Xavier Serra, director and founder of the Music Technology Research Group at Pompeu Fabra University. This lecture will take place on June 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sociedad Bilbaina.

However, the core of the event will be the auditions. The participating pianists, who have registered for the competition, will offer their piano auditions in various categories, from B to I, based on their year of birth, ranging from 1992 to 2016. The winners of each category will be announced on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.

PRIZES

The absolute first prize winners of each category will receive a plaque and a diploma during the closing ceremony, and all other awarded contestants will receive a medal and a diploma once the corresponding category is finished and the results are announced.

For categories G, H, and I, the following prizes will also be awarded:

Category G: A shared concert with the winner of Category H at the Bilbao Conservatory + a 750-euro scholarship to cover the mobility expenses incurred by this concert.

Category H: A shared concert with the winner of Category G at the Bilbao Conservatory + a 1000-euro scholarship to cover the mobility expenses incurred by this concert.

Category I: Two concerts, one at the Sociedad Bilbaina and another at the ‘Associazione Musicale Igor Stravinsky’ in Bari (Italy) + a 1250-euro scholarship to cover the mobility expenses incurred by these concerts.

Categories G, H, and I: Participants who include a performance of a ‘Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier’ by J.S. Bach in their repertoire may receive the BCAM Special Prize, which consists of a concert at the Bilbao Conservatory + a 1000-euro scholarship to cover the mobility expenses incurred by this concert.

This event is supported by the Bilbao City Council; UPV/EHU; the Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga Conservatory of Bilbao; Sociedad Bilbaina; Associazione Musicale Igor Stravinsky; and Ikerbasque, the Basque Foundation for Science.

Artistic Direction: Luca Fanelli (Ikerbasque Research Professor at UPV/EHU and BCAM, pianist) Co-artistic Direction: Ales Larrazabal (Director of the Bilbao Conservatory, pianist) Maite Villate (Head of Studies at the Bilbao Conservatory, pianist) Organization: Lucrezia Cossetti (Ikerbasque & Ramón y Cajal Fellow at UPV/EHU).