Leeds - Leeds International Piano Competition

Our prize package is genuinely transformative. Recent medallists have secured worldwide management with Askonas Holt, debut recordings with Warner Classics, recital debuts at Wigmore Hall and the Southbank Centre, and international tours in partnership with Steinway & Sons. Competitors also benefit from BBC broadcast opportunities, extensive engagements with leading promoters and orchestras—including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra—and world-class filmed performances distributed globally. 

A hallmark of The Leeds is our holistic approach to artist development, offering tailored coaching in PR, digital presence, industry practice and artistic strategy. The Leeds has a distinctive reputation for discovering the “poets of the piano”: artists of depth, imagination and individuality. 

Recent winners such as Eric Lu—who subsequently won the 2025 International Chopin Competition—Alim Beisembayev, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko and Junyan Chen join a remarkable lineage that includes Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu. Esteemed finalists over the decades include Mitsuko Uchida, Sir András Schiff, Peter Donohoe, Louis Lortie, Lars Vogt, Denis Kozhukhin and Louis Schwizgebel.

Founded in 1963 by Fanny Waterman, with Dr Geoffrey de Keyser and Marion Thorpe, The Leeds has become a benchmark for integrity and musicianship. Its jury is now composed primarily of the leading pianists of our time, ensuring rigorous yet empathetic evaluation. 

Throughout its history, the Competition has attracted major conductors—among them Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Mark Elder, Edward Gardner and Domingo Hindoyan—who have shaped unforgettable concerto finals with orchestras including the Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The BBC has broadcast every edition since 1966. The Leeds is recognised internationally as a trailblazer, championing fairer processes and meaningful support for competitors at every stage. This progressive spirit sits alongside its rich heritage, making The Leeds both a pinnacle of artistic excellence and a modern, welcoming environment where emerging pianists can thrive.

For musicians ready to step onto the world stage, there is no platform quite like it.