University of Leeds & St.Georges Hall, Bradford, UK
11 – 24 Sep 2024
The stage is set, the keys are polished and cameras are poised – the Leeds International Piano Competition is back with a resounding flourish in 2024!
This is your chance to join the legendary Leeds lineage of prize-winners – Radu Lupu, Murray Perahia, Mitsuko Uchida, András Schiff, Lars Vogt, Sunwook Kim, and more recently Anna Tsybuleva, Eric Lu and Alim Beisembayev. Application deadline October 31st 2023.
The Leeds International Piano Competition has launched the careers of some of the greatest pianists of our time.
A transformative prize package includes worldwide management with Askonas Holt, a debut recording with Warner Classics, recitals at prestigious UK venues like Wigmore Hall and Snape Maltings, and European and East Asian tours in association with the Steinway Prize-winner Concert Network. Moreover, it offers broadcast opportunities with the BBC and an extensive range of national and international engagements with prominent promoters and orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dates and Locations
Applications Close31 Oct 23
Online application form
International First Round02 – 07 Apr 24
London
Paris
Berlin
Vienna
Basel
New York
Beijing
Seoul
Second Round11 – 13 Sep 24
The Great Hall, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Semi-Finals 15 – 17 Sep 24
The Great Hall, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Concerto Finals 20 – 21 Sep 24
St George’s Hall, Bradford, UK
Prizes & Incentives
The Leeds offers transformative prize packages, includes worldwide management, a debut recording, recitals at prestigious international venues, and broadcast opportunities.
First Prize & The Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal
£30,000
One of the most coveted prizes in music, the First Prize and Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal is generously supported by friends of Fanny Waterman.
Concerto engagements with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
International tours with Steinway & Sons Prize Winner Concerts Network
Wigmore Hall début
Leeds International Concert Series Recital
Yorkshire concert tour
Recital at Snape Maltings Aldeburgh, St.George’s Bristol and other venues
Feedback and mentoring by the Artistic Director and members of the Jury
One to one consultation with Director of Artist and Concert Services, Steinway & Sons, London
Sessions with a specialist career coach
Sessions with a specialist PR and Media coach at Premier Media
Sessions with a specialist Social Media and Website coach at The Leeds
Professional photoshoot
Copies of all related photography, audio and film from 2024 Competition
+ Learn More– Less
Second Prize & The Marion Thorpe Silver Medal
£18,000
The Second Prize and Marion Thorpe Silver Medal is awarded in memory of co-Founder of the competition, Marion, Countess of Harewood, and this medal is kindly supported by the Harewood family.
Recital engagement with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society
Wigmore Hall début
University of Leeds Concert Series Recital
Feedback and mentoring by the Artistic Director and members of the Jury
One to one consultation with Director of Artist and Concert Services, Steinway & Sons, London
Session with a specialist career coach
Session with a specialist Social Media and Website coach at The Leeds
Copies of all related photography, audio and film from 2024 Competition
+ Learn More– Less
Third Prize & The Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal
£12,000
The Third Prize and Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal is awarded in memory of the third Co-founder, and is generously supported by the Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust.
Recital engagement with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society
Wigmore Hall début
University of Leeds Concert Series Recital
Feedback and mentoring by the Artistic Director and members of the Jury
One to one consultation with Director of Artist and Concert Services, Steinway & Sons, London
Session with a specialist career coach
Session with a specialist Social Media and Website coach at The Leeds
Copies of all related photography, audio and film from 2024 Competition
+ Learn More– Less
Fourth Prize
£6,000
Awarded to the winner of the Fourth place.
Mentoring and feedback sessions with the Artistic Director & members of the Jury
Session with a specialist career coach
Session with a specialist Social Media and Website coach at The Leeds
Copies of all related photography, audio and film from 2024 Competition
+ Learn More– Less
Fifth Prize
£6,000
Awarded to the winner of the Fifth place.
Mentoring and feedback sessions with the Artistic Director & members of the Jury
Session with a specialist career coach
Session with a specialist Social Media and Website coach at The Leeds
Copies of all related photography, audio and film from 2024 Competition
+ Learn More– Less
Yaltah Menuhin Award
£3,000
Awarded to the competitor selected for an outstanding performance of chamber music.
Performance opportunity with the Leeds International Chamber Music Series and RLPS Chamber Series
+ Learn More– Less
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Award
–
Awarded to the best communicator of contemporary music.
Commission of a work to be performed in an RLPS series
+ Learn More– Less
Medici.TV Audience Prize
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Awarded to the competitor selected by online public vote via Medici.tv.
Future broadcast performance on Medici.tv
+ Learn More– Less
Semi-finalist Awards
£2,400
Awarded to the Semi-finalists not appearing in the Finals.
+ Learn More– Less
We take care of you
Yorkshire is a fantastically warm and welcoming place where you will be received by an enthusiastic audience and make friends for life. You will be hosted on the friendly campus at the University of Leeds, one of the world’s top universities, where our professional team will ensure you have everything you need. Throughout the competition, we ensure you have access to Steinway pianos for your practice, as well as our outstanding concert pianos personally cared for by our Steinway & Sons technician, Ulrich Gerhartz.
Eligibility
The Leeds International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities born on or between 22nd September 1994 and 2nd April 2004. All applications must include references which support their readiness for a professional career as a pianist and specifically recommend the Applicant for The Leeds. Prize-winners of previous editions of The Leeds are not eligible to compete.
Now for the important bits
Full information on the competition can be found on the links below. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Wellings, Competitor Director at [email protected]
Have you got what it takes to be part of the competition?
The competition allows you to showcase your artistry to a global audience, but also to connect with other passionate musicians, and to learn from leading industry professionals. It’s not just a competition; it’s a platform that can shape your career and offer you opportunities beyond your wildest dreams.
