Record Numbers at the Hastings International Piano Competition

39 competitors were selected on video and were invited to play in Hastings. In the First round, they were asked to perform together with another pianist an excerpt of two different concertos chosen from two different lists A and B, the first one with classical composers (Mozart and Beethoven 3 and 4) and the second one with romantic and 20^th century repertoire. 

Round 2 - a solo recital -gave 20 candidates the chance to show their artistry and creativity by performing a programme of their choice, together with a mandatory solo piano work commissioned to composer Stephen Hough. 

The 10 musicians selected for the semi-finals were asked to play the concerto from List A they played in the first round, but this time with the Sinfonia Smith Square, a chamber orchestra formed each year by 34 of the word’s most promising musicians, graduates from the British conservatoires who are just embarking on careers as professional orchestral musicians. 

After a long week of exciting performances, the Jury, led by well-renowned piano pedagogue and pianist, Professor Vanessa Latarche, selected the 5 Finalists who performed at the White Rock Theater with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Rory Macdonald. The five musicians, Ryan Zhu, Roman Fediurko, Adria Ye, Jiwon Yang and Pin-Hong Lin performed superbly and delivered extraordinary performances. Professor Vanessa Latarche, head of the Jury says: “The level of piano playing this year has been astonishing, and it has been truly inspiring to see such dedication and talent from these young musicians on stage.”

First Prize was awarded to Ryan Zhu, after an exhilarating performance of Prokofiev’s Concerto n°2 in G minor. The jury praised the pianist’s artistry, musical insight and technical prowess. A recent graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, and currently studying for a Master’s at Yale, Zhu is without doubt a pianist to watch. He will make his London debut with a lunchtime recital at London’s most prestigious chamber music venue, the Wigmore Hall.

Second Prize was given to Roman Fediurko: he has gained international recognition for performances praised for their musical depth, brilliance and sensitivity. He continues his studies with Milana Chernyavska at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. A major milestone in his career came at the age of eighteen when he won the Gold Medal and five special prizes at the Vladimir Horowitz International Piano Competition in Geneva. This success opened the door to an international performing career and established him as one of the most promising pianists of his generation.

Adria Ye received Third Prize: they perform as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe, China, and the United States and frequently collaborate with cellist Leland Ko. After a Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the Juilliard School with Yoheved Kaplinsky and Julian Martin, they earned a Graduate Diploma at the New England Conservatory with Wha-Kyung Byun. 

This edition marks the first competition under CEO Geoff Parkin, who joins the organisation from the Royal Over‑Seas League. Parkin will work alongside Artistic Director Vanessa Latarche—now in her third competition in the role—to consolidate Hastings’ international profile while sustaining its local outreach. Organisers reiterated commitments to year‑round opportunities for emerging artists, the Learning & Participation programme, and a schools’ initiative that aims to give every child in Hastings access to music education.

Founded in the early 20th century as part of the Hastings Musical Festival and revived in 2005 as an independent international competition, Hastings has in recent years strengthened partnerships with major orchestras—including the Royal Philharmonic—and developed festival activity such as the Hastings International Piano Festival. Its focus on concerto repertoire and live orchestral performance continues to be its defining USP, equipping laureates with practical skills that translate directly into professional engagements.

The 2026 competition confirmed Hastings’ growing stature as a career-launching platform: record applicant numbers, rigorous orchestral rounds, and new strategic leadership signal an organisation entering a phase of expanded ambition while remaining rooted in community engagement and musical education.

Laureates
First Prize: Ryan Zhu
Second Prize: Roman Fediurko
Third Prize: Adria Ye

Jury
Prof. Vanessa Latarche (chair), Anthony Byrne, Scott Dunn, Ian Fountain, Jean-Paul Gasparian, Dinara Klinton, Juan Lago, Carole Presland, Vivian Sui-Rong Li, Boris Slutsky

Artists
Hamish Brown, Kumi Matsuo, Mengyang Pan (collaborative pianists)
Sinfonia Smith Square; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Rory Macdonald, conductor

©WFIMC 2026