The final, accompanied by the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano under Enrico Fagone, was devoted entirely to Rachmaninoff. Maya Oganyan and Curtis Phill Hsu performed Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, while Young-Ho Shin chose the technically demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30. The evening concluded with First Prize going to Curtis Phill Hsu, who also received the Audience Prize.
Curtis Phill Hsu, 22, is based in Hanover, where he studies with Arie Vardi at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien. Having previously studied with Andreas Weber at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, he has already established a substantial competition record, winning First Prize at the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition in 2024 and the Maria Canals International Music Competition in Barcelona in 2025. He has also appeared as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. His success in Vercelli adds another distinction to his developing international career.
Young-Ho Shin, 19, currently studies in Paris at the École Normale de Musique. He attracted international attention in 2025 when he won Second Prize at the Dublin International Piano Competition, becoming its youngest laureate. He also received a special prize at the Pancho Vladigerov International Piano Competition in Sofia. Following his success in Vercelli, he told the press that he was pleased with the result despite a relatively short preparation period and hoped to build on the experience in his future performances.
Maya Oganyan, 21, is based in Venice, where she completed her studies at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory with honours. She has received prizes at numerous international competitions, including Second Prize at the Verona International Piano Competition, and was selected for the Verbier Festival's Soloists Academy in 2024. A 2025 laureate of the Fondation Gautier Capuçon, she has appeared with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Fenice, the Nice Philharmonic and the Armenian National Philharmonic, alongside an active involvement in chamber music. She currently continues her studies with Benedetto Lupo in Rome.
The three principal prizes, worth €14,000, €8,000 and €5,000 respectively, were supported by the City of Vercelli through the Eusebio Ferraris Fund. A musician and longstanding supporter of the competition, the late lawyer Eusebio Ferraris left a legacy intended to support emerging artists and musical life in Vercelli. In addition to the monetary awards, the competition provides performance opportunities for its laureates.
