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Las Rozas de Madrid, SPAIN

Exciting final at the Joaquín Rodrigo Auditorium

Competitions

The latest edition of the International Piano Competition for Spanish Composers, held in Las Rozas, culminated in victory for the young pianist Geonhee Lee

The competition, which celebrated its 25th anniversary, also awarded prizes to two other performers, consolidating its position as one of the most important musical events in the field of classical music in Spain.

Committed to emerging talent, The International Piano Competition of Spanish Composers (CIPCE) has established itself over a quarter of a century as one of the essential events on the European piano scene, preserving and disseminating Spain’s musical heritage. 

In this edition, the organization paid tribute to composer Antonio Soler, a key figure in Spanish Baroque music and a leading exponent of 18th-century keyboard music. 

Geonhee Lee, First Prize of the 2025 Edition

Geonhee Lee, a 24-year-old pianist was the big winner of the night. He received the “First Prize - Fundación Cultura de Las Rozas,” valued at 8,000 euros, from the Councilor for Culture, Gloria Fernández. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will enjoy a concert tour that will take him to important venues such as the Zaragoza Auditorium, the Segovia Philharmonic, the Tocando Las Estrellas Festival in Granada, the Hotchkiss Piano Festival in Connecticut (United States), and the International Festival of Santa Cecilia in Porto (Portugal).

Geonhee Lee is currently a student of Prof. Ewa Kupiec und Prof. Paul Lewis at the Hannover University of Music.

The Second Prize – Classical Music Events, worth €4,000, went to 23-year-old Geonwoo Yi. He is currently studying at the at the New England Conservatory of Music under Professor Alexander Korsantia and Alessio Bax. The Third Prize – City of Requena Foundation, worth €2,000, was awarded to 21-year-old Alejandro de Castro.

In addition, the jury awarded the “Prize for Best Performer of Spanish Music – Las Rozas Culture Foundation,” worth €1,000, also to Geonhee Lee, in recognition of his brilliant performance of the national repertoire.

Geonwoo Yi, 2nd Prize

Laureates and Jury members

Gloria Fernández, Councilor for Culture and Vice President of the Las Rozas Culture 's Foundation, highlighted during the ceremony the importance of continuing to support initiatives such as the CIPCE, which provide a real platform for musicians at key stages of their professional development. “These types of competitions not only bring classical music closer to the local public, but also represent a real opportunity for growth for young talents with international potential,” she said.

The impact of this competition extends beyond the local sphere, positioning Las Rozas as a cultural benchmark in the world of classical music. The combination of interpretive excellence, institutional support, and a highly qualified jury makes the CIPCE an unmissable event for emerging pianists and discerning music lovers.

Laureates

First Prize : Geonhee Lee (24)
Second Prize : Geonwoo Yi (23)
Third Prize : Alejandro de Castro Garcia (21)

Jury 
Álvaro Teixeira (Chair), Darko Brlek, Lawrence Golan, Bing Han, Martin Kasik, Hannfried Lucke, Gisel Nacif, Iván Martín, Lei Meng, Maxim Mogilevsky, Miguel Ángel Tapia, Fabio Witkowski 

Artists
Orquesta Internacional Virtuosos de Madrid/ Lawrence Golan, Conductor

 

©WFIMC 2025