Magdalene Ho. Photo: Kaupo Kikkas
Magdalene Ho, a 21-year-old pianist from Malaysia, is the first woman to win the prestigious International German Piano Award. Ho captivated the audience and jury with her performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 and her solo recital rounds during the 13th International German Piano Award (22-23.11.2024).
This achievement earned Ho the top prize, accompanied by a €20,000 award, solidifying her position as one of the most exciting emerging talents in the classical music world.
Magdalene Ho came to international attention after winning the Clara Haskil Piano Competition in 2023. Her triumph is complemented by an impressive season of performances with the leading European orchestras, in top venues. She performs with the Orchestre de Suisse Romande at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, the SWR Sinfonieorchester at the Liederhalle Stuttgart and the Accademia della Scala Orchestra at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Her recital schedule includes concerts in prestigious venues such as the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Magdalene Ho is officially represented by Sonora Music agency. She is also supported by the Weir Award via the Keyboard Charitable Trust.
The International German Piano Award, organized by the International Piano Forum Frankfurt, is one of the most revered accolades in the classical music world. Among the past winners of the competition are renowned pianists such as Andrey Gagunin, Lukas Geniušas, and Eric Lu.
Prof. Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy, the spokesperson for the competition’s jury, states:
The number of applicants for prestigious international competitions has skyrocketed in recent years, reaching dizzying heights. We are talking about fields of over 1,000 (!) pianists per competition. It fills us with hope to see that the education of young musicians is excellent and their interest in classical music remains unwaveringly strong.
The most beautiful aspect of the International German Piano Award is witnessing how the pianists do not compete against each other but perform side by side with great respect for one another. Maryam Maleki’s dedication to supporting these young musicians and her contribution to preserving classical high culture deserves our utmost respect.
The process of evaluation can seem ruthless and brutal, and for us as jurors, it is far from a pleasure to critique and judge these pianists. Ultimately, every participant has the potential to win the competition. This year, Magdalene Ho emerged as the winner in the Grand Finale with her interpretation of Schumann’s concerto. We experienced her as a rather reserved personality with an exceptionally keen, razor-sharp intellect, a flawless instinct for musical pulse and polyphonic transparency, a seismographic sensitivity to musical moods, and a natural musicality free from any hint of showmanship.
It is heartening to see that these human and musical qualities—perhaps they are even one and the same—can triumph.
During the award ceremony was also recognized Maxim Lando, a 22-year-old pianist from New York, with the Arnold Freymuth Special Prize (€5,000) and the Schott Music Audience Award (€3,000).
More information about Magdalene Ho: sonoramusic.eu/bio/magdalene-
ho
