The 2026 jury, chaired by Arie Vardi, included esteemed artists such as Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Yefim Bronfman, Akiko Ebi, Taiseer Elias, Ian Fountain, Pavel Gililov, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Ella Milch-Sheriff, Piotr Paleczny, and Soo-Jung Shin.
The competition, founded in 1974, continues to serve as a vital launching pad for international careers. Reflecting on the extraordinary journey of this year’s edition, vice chair of the jury Yoheved Kaplinsky remarked during the awards ceremony on the surreal necessity of having to temporarily "flee" from the competition's home country, only to find safe harbor in Germany before successfully returning to Tel Aviv for the conclusion. Yet, this narrative of displacement ultimately underscored a profound triumph: that the music proceeded, and the competition remained resilient.
Perhaps most poignantly, the list of laureates—featuring artists based in New York, Minsk, Hannover, and Graz—brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a Korean, a Russian, a Belarusian, and a Ukrainian. In an era often defined by division, their shared dedication to the artistry of the piano serves as a potent reminder of music's unique, enduring power to connect people across borders and ideologies, a sentiment Arthur Rubinstein himself would surely have approved.
Tel Aviv, iSrael
Bridging Borders Through Music
The 18th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition navigates unprecedented challenges to crown its latest laureates in a testament to artistic resilience.
The 2026 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition concluded in September with a powerful reminder of music’s capacity to transcend geopolitical turbulence. Originally scheduled entirely in Tel Aviv for May 2026, the competition faced unavoidable relocation for its preliminary stages due to the ongoing security situation in the Middle East. Demonstrating remarkable flexibility, the competition worked with the Kronberg Academy in Germany, where the first two rounds were held at the Casals Forum. As conditions in Israel stabilized, the final rounds returned to Tel Aviv in September, ensuring the competition fulfilled its commitment to its historic home.
This edition, while tested by complex logistics, maintained its rigorous standards. The prestigious Arthur Rubinstein Award and Gold Medal was presented to Dmitry Yudin. His success was capped by a compelling final-round performance with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Yoel Levi. In addition to the top prize, Yudin received the Chamber Music Prize, the Israel Philharmonic Players' Prize, the Audience Favorite Prize, and the Junior Jury Prize.
The joint Second Prize was awarded to Uladzislau Khandohi and Jinhyung Park. Third Prize was secured by Roman Fediurko. The final stage required the six finalists to demonstrate comprehensive musicianship by performing a piano trio, a classical concerto with the Israel Camerata Jerusalem, and a grand concerto with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Finalists and Jury of the 18th Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition ©WFIMC
Roman Fediurko. Jinhyung Park, Uladzislau Khandohi and Dmitry Yudin ©WFIMC
New York-based Dmitry Yudin began his musical training with Lydia Grigoryeva and has studied with Horacio Gutiérrez at the Manhattan School of Music since 2019. He won the school’s Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition in 2022 and received Second Prize at the Géza Anda International Piano Competition in Zurich in 2024. His earlier distinctions include awards at the International Scriabin Competition for Young Pianists, Astana Piano Passion and the Vladimir Krainev Moscow International Piano Competition.
Listen to Dmitry Yudin at the Chamber Music Finals, performing the Rachmaninov "Trio Elégiaque" with Saida Bar-Lev and Hillel Zori
Yudin has appeared with ensembles including the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the St Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra and the Tomsk Academic Symphony Orchestra. At the 2026 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, he received First Prize and the Gold Medal, alongside the Chamber Music Prize, donated by Lady Annabelle Weidenfeld in memory of Menachem Pressler. He also won the Israel Philharmonic Players’ Prize, the Audience Favorite Prize and the Junior Jury Prize—recognition extending across chamber music, orchestral collaboration and audience communication.
Awards
First Prize: Dmitry Yudin (25), New York
Second Prize: Uladzislau Khandohi (24), Minsk and Jinhyung Park (30), Hannover (ex aequo)
Third Prize: Roman Fediurko (22), Graz
Jury
Arie Vardi (Chair), Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Yefim Bronfman, Akiko Ebi, Taiseer Elias, Ian Fountain, Pavel Gililov, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Ella Milch-Sheriff, Piotr Paleczny, Soo-Jung Shin
Artists
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/ Yoel Levi, Conductor
Saida Bar-Lev, Violin and Hillel Zori, Cello
©WFIMC 2025
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