The Leeds International Piano Competition 2027
8 – 18 September 2027
A Different Kind of Competition
For more than sixty years, the Leeds International Piano Competition has introduced exceptional artists to international audiences and supported the development of long and meaningful musical careers.
Throughout its history, Leeds has been known for discovering “Poets of the Piano” – unforgettable artists at a pivotal moment in their musical journey.
Since 2018, Leeds has been engaged in an ongoing process of reflection and renewal. We have listened carefully to competitors, audiences, industry partners and the wider profession, asking how an international competition can best serve artists in a changing musical landscape.
The result has been a gradual evolution in the way Leeds approaches competition, artist development and career support. For 2027, we have chosen to take that process a step further.
Many competitions are designed to test competitors. Leeds is designed to discover artists.
This philosophy informs every aspect of the 2027 Competition: from anonymous pre-selection and expanded artist development opportunities to the complete removal of prescribed repertoire and the extension of the upper age limit to 35.
Throughout these changes, one thing remains constant: the integrity, independence and artistic standards for which Leeds is known internationally.
Above all, we hope Leeds will be a place where artists feel trusted, supported and encouraged to present music in their own voice.
To help shape this next chapter, the Competition invited Sir Stephen Hough to serve as Artistic Director and Chair of the Jury.
One of the most distinctive musical voices of his generation, Stephen’s work as an artist reflects the curiosity, imagination and breadth of thinking that have helped shape the vision for Leeds 2027.
The following note sets out his personal invitation to competitors.
A Note From the Artistic Director
One thing I wanted to do above everything else was to open up the freedom of repertoire choice completely.
For Leeds, you can play whatever you like.
This Competition is not a test of whether you can play this or that; rather, it is a platform for you to show us who you are and what music you love. My hope is that this freedom will encourage you to be more, rather than less, adventurous in your choices.
Artist Development at The Leeds
The Leeds International Piano Competition is committed not only to discovering exceptional artists, but also to supporting their development beyond the Competition itself.
Through Competitor+, the Competition’s artist development programme, competitors and prize-winners benefit from a range of professional development opportunities, including mentoring, career coaching, artist management, recording opportunities, performance engagements, residencies and industry introductions.
Recent and current partners include Askonas Holt, Warner Classics, medici.tv, Steinway & Sons, BBC Radio 3, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Wigmore Hall, Britten Pears Arts, St George’s Bristol and a growing international network of presenting partners.
The Leeds Prize
First Prize and Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal
£50,000
Second Prize and Marion Thorpe Silver Medal
£20,000
Third Prize and Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal
£15,000
Fourth Prize
£6,000
Fifth Prize
£6,000
Prize-winners Circle Award
Career Enhancement Fund
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Award
For contemporary music
+ Learn More– Less
Medici.tv Audience Prize
Voted by Viewers
The Encore Prize
NEW
+ Learn More– Less
The Leeds Piano Trail Prize
NEW
+ Learn More– Less
The Leeds 2027 Jury
Programming Principles There are no prescribed composers, periods or styles in the Leeds International Piano Competition 2027. Competitors are free to select repertoire for all stages of the Competition, subject to the duration requirements and conditions set out below.
General Repertoire Information
Memory
All repertoire should normally be performed from memory.
Competitors may perform 20th- and 21st-century works with the score at their discretion.
Repeats
Repeats are at the Competitor’s discretion unless otherwise stated.
Repertoire Eligibility
The Competition reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any submitted repertoire and to request clarification where necessary.
Pre-Selection All eligible applications will be assessed through an anonymous Pre-Selection process. The Pre-Selection Panel will assess audio recordings and submitted repertoire information without access to applicants’ personal details. Sixty applicants will be selected to participate in the International First Round.
Recording
Any repertoire may be submitted.
Recordings must be between 20 and 25 minutes in duration.
The Jury will not assess recordings beyond the published maximum duration.
Recording Integrity
Audio recordings must be presented as a single continuous performance.
Recordings must have been made within the twelve months before the application deadline.
Recordings must not include spoken introductions or other speech.
Applicants must provide details of the recording engineer or recording supervisor responsible for the audio recording session.
Applicants must also submit a simultaneous fixed-camera video recording for verification purposes. This video will not form part of the artistic assessment, does not need to be of high quality, and may be made on a phone.
The Competition reserves the right to conduct verification checks and audits, including requests for original files, metadata and supporting documentation.
Detailed technical requirements and recording guidelines can be found in our Applications Guidance and FAQs.
International First Round The International First Round will take place between 30 March and 6 April 2027 in designated cities worldwide. Sixty competitors will participate in the International First Round.
Performance Duration
Recital programme of 20–25 minutes.
The Jury will not assess performances beyond the published maximum duration.
Programming
There are no prescribed repertoire requirements.
Performance Conditions
Competitors will perform on a Steinway Model D concert grand piano.
Practice facilities and warm-up arrangements will be communicated in advance.
Results
Twenty-four competitors will progress to the Leeds Rounds.
Second Round Twenty-four competitors will participate in the Second Round in Leeds.
Performance Duration
Recital programme of 40 minutes.
Competitors are expected to remain within the published duration.
The Competition reserves the right to intervene where a performance materially exceeds the permitted duration.
Programming
There are no prescribed repertoire requirements.
One work previously performed in either the Pre-Selection Recording or International First Round may be repeated.
Results
Ten competitors will progress to the Semi-Final.
Semi-Final Ten competitors will participate in the Semi-Final.
Performance Duration
Recital programme of 60 minutes.
Encore of approximately 4 minutes, performed after the recital programme and not included within the published recital duration.
Competitors are expected to remain within the published recital duration.
The Competition reserves the right to intervene where a performance materially exceeds the permitted duration.
Programming
There are no prescribed repertoire requirements.
One work previously performed in either the Pre-Selection Recording or International First Round may be repeated.
Encore
The encore may be announced from the stage or performed without introduction, entirely at the competitor’s discretion.
Results
Five competitors will progress to the Concerto Final.
Concerto Final Five finalists will perform with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its Chief Conductor, Domingo Hindoyan.
Concerto Selection
Competitors must submit three concerto choices at the point of application.
There are no prescribed concerto requirements other than the practical limitations set out in the Concerto Eligibility section below.
Following the International First Round, two concertos will be selected for each competitor, for preparation ahead of the Leeds Rounds.
Following the Semi-Final, one of the two prepared concertos will be selected for each finalist, guided by which work will best serve the overall concert programme.
Concerto Eligibility
The Competition reserves the right to decline proposed concerto selections where rehearsal requirements, score preparation, orchestral materials or other practical considerations would make performance impractical within the Competition schedule.
Concerto selections must not exceed the following maximum orchestral forces, including doubling:
3 Flutes, 3 Oboes, 3 Clarinets, 3 Bassoons
5 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Tuba
Timpani, 5 Percussion, 1 Harp
14 First Violins, 12 Second Violins, 10 Violas, 8 Cellos, 6 Double Basses
The Competition reserves the right to decline concerto selections requiring forces beyond these limits.
Competitors will be notified of any declined concerto choices by 1 June 2027.
Where a concerto choice is declined, competitors may either proceed with their remaining eligible concerto selections or submit an alternative concerto for approval by the Competition.
Assessment
The Concerto Final forms part of the Jury’s overall assessment and does not carry greater weight than the preceding rounds.
Rehearsals
Details of rehearsal schedules and performance arrangements will be communicated to finalists in advance of the Concerto Final.
Results
Prize winners will be announced following the conclusion of the Concerto Final.
Practice Facilities The Competition recognises the importance of providing competitors with the time, space and support necessary to perform at their best.
Throughout the Leeds Rounds, competitors will have access to practice facilities at the University of Leeds and Leeds Conservatoire, both Steinway Schools, together with rehearsal, warm-up and preparation facilities appropriate to each stage of the Competition. The Competition seeks to provide generous and equitable access to practice facilities for all competitors. Detailed arrangements will be communicated to selected competitors in advance.
Repertoire Submission & Changes Competitors are required to submit repertoire information for all stages of the Competition as part of their application.
Detailed submission deadlines are as follows:
International First Round: repertoire may not be altered after 1 February 2027.
Concerto choices requiring approval under the Concerto Eligibility provisions will be reviewed following admission to the Second Round. Competitors will be notified of any declined concerto choices by 1 June 2027.
Leeds Rounds: repertoire may not be altered after 14 June 2027.
Competitors will be asked to provide copies of scores for jury and production reference.
Following these deadlines, repertoire may not be changed without the prior written approval of the Competition.
