About The Leeds
The Leeds International Piano Competition is entering the most ambitious chapter in its history.
Founded in 1963 by Dame Fanny Waterman, Dr Geoffrey de Keyser and Marion Thorpe, The Leeds has shaped the careers of many of the world’s greatest pianists — among them Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Mitsuko Uchida and Sir András Schiff, as well as recent medallists Alim Beisembayev, Eric Lu and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko.
For 2027, British pianist Sir Stephen Hough joins as Artistic Director and Chair of the Jury, leading the most significant artistic reforms in the Competition’s recent history and reimagining what an international music competition can be — shifting the emphasis away from testing competitors and towards showing the world who they truly are. For the first time, competitors are free to choose the music they perform throughout, and the upper age limit rises to 35.
An International Trailblazer
Proudly hosted by the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council, and in exclusive partnership with Steinway & Sons, The Leeds supports pianists not only through competition prizes, but through sustained professional development, global partnerships and international visibility, sharing exceptional artistry with audiences across the globe.
Piano with purpose
Beyond the Competition, The Leeds presents a triennial city-wide festival that transforms Leeds and Bradford into living stages for the piano. Featuring large-scale piano sculptures and more than 35 public pianos across the cities, the festival invites people of all ages and backgrounds to encounter the instrument in everyday spaces.
Year-round community programmes further engage amateur pianists, schools, children with care experience and young people across the region.
Heritage
Past Winners
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