Leeds, Sept. 21, 2024 – Canadian pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, 24, has tonight won the 21st edition of the Leeds International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious prizes in the musical world. Performing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan at St George’s Hall in Bradford, Izik-Dzurko was chosen as the winner by the jury after a performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2.
In addition to the £30,000 cash prize and the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal, Izik-Dzurko also receives a career-changing prize package which includes concerto engagements with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Wigmore Hall debut and recitals across the UK, international tours with Steinway Prize Winner Concerts Network and Global Music Network, and more.
As the winner, Izik-Dzurko will perform again with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Sunday 22 September, reprising his winning concerto.
Watch the Winning Performance
Dame Imogen Cooper, Chair of the Jury, said: “It has been extraordinary to witness the remarkable artistry showcased at every stage of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition. The 24 pianists who performed in Leeds and Bradford exemplify the highest standards of musicianship, and it has been an immense privilege for all of us on the jury to experience it.
Our aim was to find not just the finest pianist, but the most complete musician, and with Jaeden we have achieved that. He demonstrated exceptional artistic maturity and imagination, remarkable technical command, and a profound ability to captivate and transport the audience through his storytelling and poetry throughout the Competition, culminating in a truly unforgettable final performance. We wish him, and all of the competitors, every success in the future, and have no doubt we will hear from many of them again.”
Second Prize and the Marion Thorpe Silver Medal was awarded to Junyan Chen from China, followed by Khanh Nhi Luong from Vietnam who received Third Prize and the Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal. Both are awarded cash prizes (£18,000 and £12,000 respectively), as well as concert engagements with Wigmore Hall, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Lunchtime Concert Series on 23 & 24 September, University of Leeds concert series and more.
Junyan Chen was also the winner of the inaugural Alexandra Dariescu Award, presented for an outstanding performance of a work by a woman composer. She receives a £3,000 cash prize, a concerto performance with the Romanian Radio Orchestra in Bucharest which will be broadcast on national radio, and a solo evening recital at Music in Lyddington. Chen was also presented with the Yaltah Menuhin Award for an outstanding performance of chamber music – she receives £3,000 and performance opportunities with the Leeds International Chamber Music Series and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Series.
A live EP with a selection of works from the winner’s performance will be released on Warner Classics on Friday 11 October, with a studio recording to follow.
Fourth Prize was awarded to Kai-Min Chang (Taiwan), and Fifth Prize to Julian Trevelyan (United Kingdom).
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Award, awarded to the best communicator of contemporary music, was given to finalist Kai-Min Chang, who will now receive a commission of a brand-new work to perform at a future Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society series.
The results were decided by an international, artist-led jury chaired by Dame Imogen Cooper; the other jurors include Adam Gatehouse, Eleanor Alberga, Ingrid Fliter, Mariam Batsashvili, Pavel Kolesnikov, Sa Chen, Till Fellner and Adrian Brendel.
The medici.tv Audience Prize – the only prize to be decided by the public – was awarded to semi-finalist Tomoharu Ushida (Japan). Selected by online public vote via medici.tv, Ushida will receive a future broadcast performance on the platform.
The Finals were broadcast live to audiences across the globe via The Leeds Media Hub and YouTube channel – presented by Petroc Trelawny and Alexandra Dariescu – medici.tv and Amadeus.tv. The Finals were also broadcast on BBC Radio 3 In Concert, presented by Andrew McGregor with acclaimed pianist and broadcaster Lucy Parham – listeners can listen back via BBC Sounds. A 120-minute programme showcasing highlights from the Finals and coverage from previous rounds will be broadcast on BBC Four later this Autumn.
The next Competition will take place in 2027.
Filmed performances from the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition can be found on the LIPC YouTube channel.
Leeds International Piano Competition 2024 – Prize List
First Prize and the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal – Jaeden Izik-Dzurko (Canada)
Second Prize and the Marion Thorpe Silver Medal – Junyan Chen (China)
Third Prize and the Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal – Khanh Nhi Luong (Vietnam)
Fourth Prize – Kai-Min Chang (Taiwan)
Fifth Prize – Julian Trevelyan (United Kingdom)
Alexandra Dariescu Award – Junyan Chen (China) for her performance of Unsuk Chin’s Selection from Études: 1. In C, 4. Scalen, 6. Grains
Yaltah Menuhin Award – Junyan Chen (China) for her performance of Ravel’s Trio in A Minor, M.67
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Award – Kai-Min Chang (Taiwan)
medici.tv Audience Prize – Tomoharu Ushida (Japan)
Henle Urtext Prize – Ryan Zhu (Canada)Jaeden Izik-Dzurko – Biography
Renowned as one of “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30” by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 2021, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko emerges as a rising star in the classical music scene. Praised for his expressive depth and thoughtful interpretations, Izik-Dzurko’s performances resonate with audiences and critics alike, characterized by a distinctive musical personality that infuses even the most ordinary passages with character and individuality, according to the Calgary Herald. Notable achievements include winning First Prizes at the 2022 Hilton Head International Piano Competition and the 2022 Maria Canals International Music Competition, as well as multiple accolades at the 20th Paloma O’Shea Santander International Piano Competition. His exceptional talent has led to engagements as a featured soloist with esteemed orchestras worldwide, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Izik-Dzurko’s passion for contemporary music, particularly Canadian compositions, is evident in his performances and recordings. A graduate of The Juilliard School and the University of British Columbia, he continues to refine his craft under the guidance of renowned mentors at prestigious institutions.About Leeds International Piano Competition
Since its inception in 1963, the Leeds International Piano Competition has been a trailblazer among international music competitions and has shaped the world of classical piano.
With the BBC broadcasting the competition since 1966 on television and radio, its impact has reached far and wide. Historical footage of piano legends in their formative years can be found in The Leeds archive, which has attracted over 2.4 million views in the first half of 2023 alone.
2024 Jury
Dame Imogen Cooper -Chair
Adam Gatehouse – Artistic Director and Juror
Eleanor Alberga – Juror
Ingrid Fliter – Juror
Mariam Batsashvili – Juror
Pavel Kolesnikov – Juror
Sa Chen – Juror
Till Fellner – Juror
Adrian Brendel – Jurorhttps://www.jaedenizikdzurko.com/
