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15 years old pianist Zhiquan Wang wins the 66th Jaén Intl. Piano Competition

Competitions

Elia Cecino and Roman Lopatynskyi also among the laureates at the Infanta Leonor Theatre in Jaén

15 years old Chinese pianist Zhiquan Wang triumphed in the final of the 66th edition of the Jaén International Piano Competition, organised by the Provincial Council of Jaén, thanks to his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26 during the final round, which took place in a packed Infanta Leonor Theatre in the city of Jaén. 

1st Prize award includes €20,000 provided by the provincial administration, as well as a Gold Medal and diploma, the recording and release of an album with the prestigious Naxos label, and a five-concert tour.

The second highest rated performance by the jury came from Italian pianist Elia Cecino, who played Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23. The third prize was awarded to Ukrainian pianist Roman Lopatynskyi, who performed Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

In addition to winning the top award of the Jaén International Piano Competition, Zhiquan Wang also received the Chamber Music Prize, the award for Best Interpreter of Romantic Music and the “Rosa Sabater” Prize for the best interpretation of Spanish music, along with a concert organised and sponsored by the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country. In addition to winning over the jury, the young pianist also captivated the audience attending the final round, earning him a bronze sculpture of a piano awarded by the Friends of the Jaén International Piano Competition Association. Meanwhile, the Contemporary Music Prize, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and awarded to the best interpreter of the commissioned piece—this year Fire Dance in the Blue by Madrid-born composer David del Puerto—was awarded to Swedish pianist Vilhelm Moqvist. 

The awarding of these prizes marked the conclusion of the successful 66th edition of this piano competition, organised by the Provincial Council and held in the city of Jaén from 24 April to 3 May 2025. A total of 49 participants from 15 countries across four continents took part.

Prizes :

1st Prize:  Zhiquan Wang (15), Shanghai
2nd Prize : Elia Cecino (23) 
3rd Prize: Roman Lopatynskyi (32), Kyiv

Jury :

Albert Attenelle (Chair); Ernesto Rocío Blanco; Pilar Bilbao,Gustavo Diaz Jerez; Daniel Levy; Graham Scott; Michiko Tsuda

Artists:

Cosmos Quartet and Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra,  dir. Salvador Vazquez