Participants
Dmitry Bereznyak
Alexander Knyazev
Rui Ming
Zhou Noah
Philipp Rudenko
Liao Tinghong
Vladimir Vishnevsky
Jin Yuhe
Zhang Boao
Ivan Chepkin
Anisa Dazhaeva
Lyubov Glazova
Elizaveta Klyuchereva
Alexander Kutuzov
Ryota Matsuhashi
Leah Nicholson
Wang Shiqin
Vladimir Skomorokhov
Saori Sugimoto
Alessandro Villalva
Timofey Vladimirov
Yun Xuhua
Yelaman Yernur
Zhu Yuanheng
Qi Ziming
Jin Yuhe
China
Born in 2007 Currently studies piano at the Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Yang Yunlin.
Laureate of numerous national and international competitions, including the Aarhus International Piano Competition (Denmark), Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition (Beijing), Hope Cup Piano Competition (Beijing), and the Shanghai Open Piano Competition.
Has performed at Warner Concert Hall (USA), Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing), Shanghai Symphony Hall, Lang Lang Art World Concert Hall (Hangzhou), Shenzhen Concert Hall, and others.
Collaborated with the Earth Chamber Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Grand Theatre Symphony Orchestra, and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra.
Laureate of numerous national and international competitions, including the Aarhus International Piano Competition (Denmark), Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition (Beijing), Hope Cup Piano Competition (Beijing), and the Shanghai Open Piano Competition.
Has performed at Warner Concert Hall (USA), Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing), Shanghai Symphony Hall, Lang Lang Art World Concert Hall (Hangzhou), Shenzhen Concert Hall, and others.
Collaborated with the Earth Chamber Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Grand Theatre Symphony Orchestra, and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra.
1st Round
A. Scriabin. Sonata No. 2 (Fantasy-Sonata) in G-sharp minor, Op. 19
M. Ravel. Gaspard de la nuit
3. Scarbo
S.Rachmaninoff
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39: No. 1 in C minor, No. 2 in A minor, No. 3 in F sharp minor, No. 9 in D Major
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff. Moments musicaux, Op.16
N. Medtner. Sonata tragica in C minor from the cycle Forgotten Motives II, Op. 39 No. 5
S. Prokofiev. Sonata No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 83
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«In the silence of the secret night…», lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 №3
«Do not sing, my beauty…», lyrics by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4
«They answered», lyrics by L. Mey after Victor Hugo, Op. 21 №4
Lilacs, lyrics by E. Beketova, Op. 21 No.5
How Fair this Spot, lyrics by G. Galina, Op.21 No.7
How painful for me, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No.12
«In my garden at night…», lyrics by A. Blok, Op. 38 №1
The dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No.5
These summer nights, lyrics by D. Ratgauz, Op. 14 No.5
Spring waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No.11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op.16
S.Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor, Op.30
Liao Tinghong
China
Born in 2003 Entered the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory in 2017, studying under Valery Pyasetsky and Andrey Pisarev. Since 2021, he has been a student at the Moscow Conservatory under Andrey Pisarev and Nikolai Lugansky.
Laureate of international competitions including the Chopin Youth Piano Competition in China (2012, 2014), “Step to Mastery” (St. Petersburg, 2015), Grand Piano Competition (Moscow, 2016); Pearl River Kayserburg National Youth Piano Competition (2013), and Vladimir Krainev Piano Competition (Moscow, 2017, 2018).
Grand Prix winner at the M. Zhirkov International Young Pianists’ Competition (Moscow, 2021) and the K.N. Igumnov International Piano Competition (Lipetsk, 2023).
Participated in the Mariinsky Far East Festival in Vladivostok and the “Stars on Baikal” Festival in Irkutsk, performing with Valery Gergiev, Evgeny Shestakov, Yuri Tkachenko, Alexander Sladkovsky, among others.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-tableaux in D minor, Op. 33 No. 5
Etude-tableaux in E flat major, Op. 33 No. 7
Etude-tableaux in C minor, Op. 39 No. 1
Etude-tableaux in E flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Etude-tableaux in D major, Op. 39 No. 9
C. Debussy.
La cathedrale engloutie, No.10 from Prelude Volume 1, L.117
L’Isle Joyeuse, L. 106
E. Granados. Quejas o la maja y el ruesenor , No. 4 from suite Goyescas
2nd round:
S. Rachmaninoff
Moments musicaux Op.16: No. 3 in B minor, No. 4 in E minor, No. 5 in D flat major, No. 6 in
C major
Moment musicaux in B minor, Op.16 No. 3
Moment musicaux in E minor, Op.16 No. 4
Moment musicaux in D flat major, Op.16 No. 5
Moment musicaux in C major, Op.16 No. 6
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
I. Stravinsky. Three Movements from Petrushka for piano, K 012a
Russian Dance
Petrushka's Room
The Shrovetide Fair
3rd round. 1st part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
“Do Not Sing”, My Beauty, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4, No. 4
“Spring Waters”, lyrics by F. Tyutchev Op. 14, No. 11
“They answered”, lyrics by L. Mey, after V. Hugo, Op. 21, No. 4
“Lilacs”, lyrics by E. Beketova, Op. 21, No. 5
“How Fair this Spot”, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21, No. 7
“Before my Window”, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 26, No. 10
“Night is Mournful”, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 No. 12
“The Migrant Wind”, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34, No. 4
“What Happiness”, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 34 No. 12
3rd round. 2nd part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2, in C Minor, Op. 18
Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Op.43
Philipp Rudenko
Russia
Born in 2002 Graduated from the Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory (studied with Valery Pyasetsky and Vadim Rudenko). Currently studying at the Moscow Conservatory under Andrei Pisarev and Nikolai Lugansky. Scholarship recipient and concert program participant of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation and the Art-Line Foundation for the Support of the Arts.
Performs at the Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, and Zaryadye Concert Hall. Participated in the “Imperial Gardens of Russia” festival, Peregrinos Musicales in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), and festivals in Osnabrück (Germany) and Burgas (Bulgaria). Has performed with the Russian National Orchestra, Svetlanov State Symphony Orchestra, Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic, and the State Symphony Capella of Russia.
Has collaborated with conductors including Konstantin Chudovsky, Anton Shaburov, Felix Korobov, Arif Dadashev, and Murad Annamamedov.
His chamber music partners include Alexander Kniazev, Elena Tarosyan, Alexei Melnikov, and Vladimir Balshin.
1st Round
A. Scriabin
Piano Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp Minor, Op. 19
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in C Major, Op. 33 No. 2
Etude-Tableaux in D Minor, Op. 33 No. 5
Etude-Tableaux in B Minor, Op. 39 No. 4
Etude-Tableaux in D Minor, Op. 39 No. 8
Etude-Tableaux in D Major, Op. 39 No. 9
2nd Round
I. Albeniz
Evocación, from Iberia, Book I
A. Ginastera
Three Argentine Dances, Op. 2
N. Medtner
Fairy Tale in E-flat Major, Op. 26 No. 1
Fairy Tale in G Major, Op. 51 No. 6
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 6
Oriental Sketch
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
Lilacs, lyrics by E. Beketova, Op. 21 No. 5
No Prophet I, lyrics by A. Kruglov, Op. 21 No. 11
How Fair This Spot…, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No. 7
These Summer Nights…, lyrics by D. Ratgauz, Op. 14 No. 5
The Night is Sad, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 No. 12
Melody, lyrics by S. Nadson, Op. 21 No. 9
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No. 5
Spring Waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No. 11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
Alexander Knyazev
Russia
Born in 2007 in Samara. Studies at the Central Music School – Academy of Performing Arts in the class of Natalia Bogdanova. Laureate of international competitions including “Symphony of Yamal” (2024), “Golden Talents” (Kursk, 2023), and the all-Russian competition “Constellation” (Sochi, 2022, 2023). Gold medalist of the XXI Youth Delphic Games of Russia (2022). Recipient of the Governor’s Award of the Samara Region (2020). Participant in programs of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, the “Talent and Success” Foundation at the Sirius Educational Center, and scholarship holder of the New Names Foundation.
Has performed at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Zaryadye Concert Hall, halls of the Moscow Conservatory, and in cities across Russia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. As a soloist, he has appeared with the orchestras of the Samara Philharmonic, Kuzbass Philharmonic, Yaroslavl Academic Governor's Symphony Orchestra, as well as orchestras in Lipetsk, Sochi, Kursk, and the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra. Participant in the International Festival “Denis Matsuev Presents” and the Pianissimo Festival.
1st Round
A. Scriabin
Piano Sonata No. 5 in F-sharp Major, Op. 53
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 39 No. 1
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 2
Etude-Tableaux in F-sharp Minor, Op. 39 No. 3
Etude-Tableaux in B Minor, Op. 39 No. 4
Etude-Tableaux in E-flat Minor, Op. 39 No. 5
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in C Minor, Op. 23 No. 7
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
M. Ravel
Alborada del gracioso, from Miroirs, M. 43
S. Prokofiev
Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
The Migrant Wind, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 No. 4
In the Silence of the Secret Night…, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 No. 3
Arion, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 No. 5
Daisies, lyrics by I. Severyanin, Op. 38 No. 3
The Rat Catcher, lyrics by V. Bryusov, Op. 38 No. 4
Spring Waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No. 11
These Summer Nights…, lyrics by D. Ratgauz, Op. 14 No. 5
No Prophet I, lyrics by A. Kruglov, Op. 21 No. 11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 43
Vladimir Vishnevsky
Russia
Born in Rybinsk. Graduated in 2022 from the Gnessin Moscow Special School of Music, where he studied with Yuri Slesarev. Currently studies at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Andrey Pisarev.
Winner of numerous international competitions, including “Music Without Borders” (Lithuania, 2017, 2018), the Gianluca Campocciaro Competition (Italy), “Start of a Star” (St. Petersburg, 2021), the LisbonStars Grand Prix (2022), V. Nilsson Competition (St. Petersburg, 2023), “Stars of EXEED” (2023), and M. N. Zhirkov Competition (2024).
Laureate of the Mussorgsky and Rachmaninoff Piano Competitions (St. Petersburg, 2023), winner of 1st Prize at the Fujairah International Piano Competition (UAE, 2024), and at the 2nd Hibla Gerzmava International Competition for Vocalists and Accompanists. Performed at Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania), Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, and the Philharmonics of Yaroslavl, Lipetsk, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Ryazan, Smolensk, Orel, as well as at the Moscow Conservatory, Zaryadye Hall, Moscow International House of Music, and St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Has worked with the Yaroslavl Philharmonic, Novaya Rossiya Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Gave concerts in Jordan,
Lithuania, Denmark, Portugal, France, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Mexico, China, among others.
Since 2023 soloist of the St. Petersburg Music House. Scholarship holder of the S. Richter Government Scholarship (2024). Performed in ensemble with People’s Artists of Russia Hibla Gerzmava, Alexander Knyazev, and Vadim Repin.
1st Round
P.Tchaikovsky – S.Rachmaninoff. Lullaby
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-tableau in C minor, op. 39, No. 1
Etude-tableau in E-flat minor, op. 39 No. 5
"Daisies" op.38 No.3 (author's arrangement)
S. Prokofiev. Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, op. 83
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff . Moments musicaux, Op.16
A. Scriabin. Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-dur, op. 30
S. Prokofiev. Etude in C minor Op. 2 No. 3
M. Ravel. La valse. Poème chorégraphique (piano arrangements) M.72
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff . Romances
“In the silence of the secret night”, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 №3
“What happiness…”, lyrics by A. Fet, op. 34 No. 12
“Daisies”, lyrics by I. Severyanin, op. 38, No. 3
“Do not sing, my beauty…”, lyrics by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4
“Night is mournful”, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 №12
“Fragment from Musset”, lyrics by Apukhtin after Alfred de Musset, Op. 21 №6
“I wait for thee…”, lyrics by M. Davydova, Op. 14 №1
“The Migrant Wind”, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op.34 №4
“Believe me not, friend!..”, lyrics by А.Tolstoy, Op. 14 №7
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op.30
Rui Ming
China
Born in 2006 in Jinan, Rui Ming is currently studying at the Central Music School – Academy of Performing Arts in Moscow (class of Daria Ryabova). He has taken part in numerous festivals, including “Denis Matsuev Presents: Dialogue of Generations,” the Emil Gilels Piano Music Festival (Moscow), Boris Berezovsky’s festival “Summer Evenings in Elabuga,” and the Richter Literary and Music Festival. He is a prizewinner of national and international competitions, such as “Symphony of Yamal” (Salekhard), the CMS competition “A Tribute to Sergei Rachmaninoff” (Moscow), the Rachmaninoff Youth Competition (Veliky Novgorod), and the Grand Piano Competition.
Rui has performed in Russia’s top venues, including the Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Zaryadye Concert Hall, the Mariinsky Theatre, and concert halls in Tambov, Samara, and Voronezh.
1st Round
A. Scriabin. Piano sonata No.2 in G-sharp minor, Op.19
S. Rachmaninoff. Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op.32 No. 12
Prelude in D flat major, Op.32 No. 13
M. Ravel Gaspard de la nuit, M.55
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (2nd vers.)
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«The Migrant Wind», words by K. Balmont, Op.34 №4
«How Fair this Spot…», words by G. Galina, Op.21 №7
«The dream», words by F. Sologub, Op. 38 №5
«They answered», words by Lev Mey after Victor Hugo, Op. 21 №4
«Melody», words by S. Nadson, Op. 21 №9
«I wait for thee…», words by M. Davydova, Op. 14 №1
«Arion», words by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 №5
«The Muse», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 34 №1
«Spring waters», words by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 №11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff.
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Dmitry Bereznyak
Russia
2013-2015, Dmitry Bereznyak studied at the F. Chopin Children's Music School in Moscow under Valery Pyasetsky, and later continued at the F. Chopin Moscow College of Musical Performance with Sergey Artsibashev. In 2018, he trained at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna under Herbert Rüdisser. He is currently an assistant intern in Elena Kuznetsova’s piano class at the Moscow Conservatory.
He has taken part in masterclasses with Boris Bechterev and Vladimir Mishchuk.
Since 2013 he has been a scholarship recipient of the New Names Charitable Foundation, and since 2017 - of the Alexander Scriabin Memorial Museum.
He is a prizewinner of several international competitions, including the Rachmaninoff Competition for Young Pianists (2016), the Artobolevskaya Competition for Young Pianists (2017), and the XVIII Russian Delphic Games.
Since 2021 he has participated in programs of the St. Petersburg Music House and the River of Talents project.
He performs regularly and takes part in numerous music festivals, including the Virtuoso International Festival of Romantic Music, the International Rachmaninoff Memorial Festival, the Creative Youth Festival at the Moscow Conservatory, and Svyatoslav Richter’s December Nights.
1st Round
N. Medtner. Piano Sonata No. 5 in G Minor, Op. 22
S. Rachmaninoff
Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 in G major, No. 10 in B minor, No. 12 in G-sharp minor, No. 13 in D-
flat major
2nd round
J. Brahms
Capriccio in D Minor, Op. 116 № 1
Intermezzo in A Minor, Op. 116 № 2
Capriccio in G Minor, Op. 116 № 3
Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116 № 6
Capriccio in D Minor, Op. 116 № 7
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 28
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«The Muse», lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 № 1
«Fragment from Musset», lyrics by Apukhtin after Alfred de Musset, Op. 21 № 6
«How Fair this Spot…», lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 № 7
«It Cannot Be!..», lyrics by A. Maikov, Op. 34 № 7
«The Dream», lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 № 5
«The Storm», lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34, № 3
«The Migrant Wind», lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 № 4
«Melody», lyrics by S. Nadson, Op. 21 № 9
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor Op. 30
M. Ravel. Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major, M. 82
Vladimir Skomorokhov
Russia
Born in 1999 in Volgograd. Graduated from the Academic Music College at the Moscow Conservatory as a pianist (class of Yuri Slesarev) and organist (class of Galina Semenova), and later from the Moscow Conservatory with degrees in both piano (under Eliso Virsaladze) and organ (under Natalia Gureyeva). Completed postgraduate studies there in 2024 Refined his organ skills at the Lübeck University of Music under Arvid Gast (2024).
Laureate and diploma recipient of international competitions: S.V. Rachmaninoff Young Pianists Competition (Moscow, 2018), A.F. Gedike Organ Competition (Moscow, 2018), Annarosa Taddei International Piano Competition (Italy, 2022), Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition (Italy, 2023).
In 2021 and 2022, the OnClassical label released two albums featuring his performances of works by Liszt and piano transcriptions of organ pieces by J.S. Bach. He currently teaches at the Moscow Conservatory and maintains an active concert career.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 39 No. 1
Etude-Tableaux in E-flat Minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 6
Etude-Tableaux in D Major, Op. 39 No. 9
S. Prokofiev
Sonata No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 29
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22
F. Busoni
Two Dances for Piano, BV 235a
Variations on a Theme of a Prelude by Chopin, BV 213a
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
In the Silence of the Secret Night…, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 No. 3
Spring Waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No. 11
All Wants to Hymn, lyrics by F. Sologub (no opus)
Lilacs, lyrics by E. Beketova, Op. 21 No. 5
How Fair This Spot…, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No. 7
Excerpt from Musset, lyrics by A. de Musset (translated by A. Apukhtin), Op. 21 No. 6
The Fountain, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 26 No. 11
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 43
S. Prokofiev
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
Zhang Boao
China
Born in 2003, Boao Zhang graduated from the Middle School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing (class of Manchun Chen). He is currently studying at the Moscow Conservatory under Eliso Virsaladze. He has participated in the Chopin for the Youngest International Piano Competition in Poland, the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition in Fort Worth (USA), the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, and the First Rachmaninoff International Competition for Pianists, Composers and Conductors in Moscow. He is a recipient of scholarships from the Morningside Music Bridge in Canada (2021) and the Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan (2019).
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableau in C minor Op.39 No. 1
Etude-Tableau in B minor Op.39 No. 4
Etude-Tableau in E-flat minor Op.39 No. 5
Etude-Tableau in D major Op.39 No. 9
A. Scriabin Waltz in A flat major, Op. 38
Debussy Estampes, L.100
1 Pagodes
2 La soirée dans Grenade
3 Jardins sous la pluie
2nd round
A. Scriabin. 2 Poems Op.32
S. Prokofiev. Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83
S. Rachmaninoff.
Serenade in B-flat minor Op. 3 No. 5
Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (1st edition)
3rd Round. 1st Part
«They answered», words by Lev Mey after Victor Hugo, Op. 21 No. 4
«Lilacs». words bvf E. Beketova. Op. 21 No. 5
«How Fair this Spot...», words by G. Galina, Op.21 No. 7
«On the death of a linnet», words by V. Zhukovsky, Op. 21 No. 8
«Melody», words by S. Nadson, Op. 21 No. 9
«The Muse», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 34 No. 1
«The storm», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 34, No. 3
«The Migrant Wind», words by K. Balmont, Op.34 No. 4
3rd Round. 2nd part
A. N. Scriabin. Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor, Op. 20
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
Wang Shiqin
China
Graduated from the Middle School affiliated with Tianjin Conservatory (class of Alexey Sokolov) and the Tianjin Juilliard Pre-College (class of Ching-Wen Hsiao).
Since 2022 he has been studying at The Juilliard School in the U.S. under Julian Martin and Jerome Lowenthal.
He has participated in masterclasses with Yoheved Kaplinsky, Emanuel Ax, Boris Berman, Robert Levin, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Mikhail Voskresensky, Minsue Son, Alexey Sokolov, among others.
Laureate of international piano competitions including the Golden Classical Music Awards, Manhattan Music Competition, Liszt Memorizing Prize, Grotrian-Steinweg (Germany), and the Kawai Asian Piano Competition.
Performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (New York), Paul Hall and Morse Hall at Juilliard, and the Grand Theatre in Tianjin (China).
In 2021, collaborated with the Cross-Strait Youth Orchestra in Fuzhou under the baton of Danwen Wei.
Recipient of the Yamaha Music Scholarship (Asia) in 2019 and 2020.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-tableaux in A minor, Op. 39 No. 2
Etude-tableaux in B minor, Op. 39 No. 4
Etude-tableaux in E-flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Etude-tableaux in D major, Op. 39 No. 9
I. Stravinsky. Three Movements from “Petrushka” for piano, K 012a
1 Danse russe
2 Chez Pétrouchka
3 La semaine grasse
2nd round:
S. Rachmaninoff. Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (1st vers.)
S. Prokofiev. Piano Sonata No.6 in A major, Op. 82
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«The storm», words by A. Pushkin, Op. 34, №3
«Dissonance», words by J. Polonsky, Op.34 №13
«Vocalise», Op. 34, №14
«How Fair this Spot…», words by G. Galina, Op.21 №7
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
S. Prokofiev. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op.16
Qi Ziming
China
Ziming Qi studied at the Middle School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under Zhang Wei. Since 2023, he has continued his education at the Conservatory.
Throughout his studies, he has received multiple scholarships from the Beijing Municipal Government and won several national and international competitions, including the Chinese Music Golden Bell Award, the Hope Cup (Beijing), the Kayserburg Youth Piano Competition, and the Xiamen Music Season Competition. He also participated in the Sicily Piano Festival (Italy).
He has taken masterclasses with Li Mingqian, Xi Zhang, Gery Moutier, Jerzy Sterczyński, Alberto Baldrighi, Carlo Balzaretti, Tatyana Levitina, and others. Qi was selected for the Central Conservatory's Outstanding Talent Program.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff.
Prelude in E-flat Major Op.23 No.6
Prelude in C Minor Op.23 No.7
F. Kreisler – S. Rachmaninov
Liebesfreud
Liebesleid
M. Ravel. Mirrors M.43
5 La Vallée des Cloches
A. Scriabin. Sonata No. 7 Op.64
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff.
Etude Tableau in D Minor Op.39 No.8
Sonata No.2 in B-flat Minor Op.36
M. Ravel Gaspard de la nuit, M.55
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«Do not sing, my beauty…», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4,
«The water lily», words by A.Pleshcheev after Heinrich Heine, Op. 8 №1
«How Fair this Spot...», words by G. Galina, Op.21 №7
«Spring waters», words by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 №11
«The dream», words by F. Sologub, Op. 38 №5
«A-оо!», words by K. Balmont, Op. 38, №6
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff.
Piano Concerto No.3 in D Minor Op.30
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43
Timofey Vladimirov
Russia
Born in 2001 in Ufa, Timofey Vladimirov studied at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory under Mira Marchenko. In 2023 he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Andrei Pisarev and is currently a postgraduate assistant there.
He is a prizewinner of the 2nd Moscow International Vladimir Krainev Piano Competition (2017), Astana Piano Passion (2017), Russian Season in Yekaterinburg (2018), and Piano Campus (France, 2020).
He has participated in festivals such as “Vladimir Spivakov Invites…,” “Moscow Meets Friends,” “Mariinsky International Piano Festival,” “Russian Piano School,” Ars Longa, Auvers-sur-Oise (France), and the Rheingau Festival (Germany).
He collaborates with leading Russian symphony orchestras and performs with the Moscow Philharmonic. Vladimirov is a participant of the “Stars of the 21st Century” project and a soloist of the St. Petersburg Music House.
1st Round
N. Medtner. Sonata tragica in c minor from the cycle Forgotten Motives II, Op. 39 No. 5
N. Medtner. Canzona serenata from Forgotten Melodies I, Op.38 No.6
B. Bartók. Allegro barbaro, BB 63
S. Rachmaninoff .
Moment musicaux in E-flat minor, Op.16 No.2
Moment musicaux in E minor, Op.16 No.4
Moment musicaux in D-flat major, Op.16 No.5
Moment musicaux in C major, Op.16 No.6
2nd Round
D. Shostakovich. Piano sonata No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61
J.S. Bach – S. Rachmaninoff.
Gavot and Gigue from Violin Partita No.3 in E major, BWV 1006
S. Rachmaninoff . "Daisies" op.38 No.3 (author's arrangement)
S. Rachmaninoff . Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor Op.36 (2nd version)
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff . Romances
«Do not sing, my beauty…», lyrics by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4
«How Fair this Spot…», lyrics by G. Galina, Op.21 №7
«In my garden at night…», lyrics by A. Blok, Op. 38 №1
«To her», lyrics by A. Beliy, Op. 38 №2
«Daisies», lyrics by I. Severyanin, Op. 38 №3
«The Rat-Сatcher», lyrics by V. Bryusov, Op. 38 №4
«The dream», lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 №5
«A-оо!», lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38, №6
3rd Round. 2nd Part
D. Shostakovich. Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Yelaman Yernur
Kazakhstan
Born in 1995 in Kazakhstan, Yelaman Yernur graduated from the A. Zhubanov Republican Specialized Music School for Gifted Children (class of Gulzhan Kazibekova), and later from the Moscow Conservatory and its postgraduate program under Alexander Mndoyants. He also refined his performance skills under Ekaterina Mechetina.
He is a prizewinner of international competitions including the Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan, 2017), the “Shabyt” Creative Youth Competition in Astana (Kazakhstan, 2022), and the N.K. Medtner Memorial Competition in St. Petersburg (Russia, 2025).
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff. Elégie, Op. 3 No. 1
N. Medtner. 4 Tales, Op. 26
Tchaikovsky – Rachmaninov. Lullaby
N. Medtner. Etude in G-sharp minor, Op. 4, No. 1
C. Debuss. Images, 1re série
3 Mouvement
Douze Etudes, Livre I, L.136
5 Pour les octaves
S. Rachmaninov.
Prelude in B flat minor, Op.32 No.2
Etude-tableaux in D major, Op. 39, No. 9
2nd Round
N. Medtner
Piano sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 5
S. Rachmaninov
Moments musicaux, Op.16
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninov. Romances
«Do not sing, my beauty…», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4
«Vocalise», Op. 34, №14
«It cannot be!..», words by A. Maikov, Op. 34 №7
«Before my window…», words by G. Galina, Op. 26 №10
«Lilacs», words by E. Beketova, Op. 21 №5
«How Fair this Spot…», words by G. Galina, Op.21 №7
«I wait for thee…», words by M. Davydova, Op. 14 №1
«They answered», words by Lev Mey after Victor Hugo, Op. 21 №4
«Spring waters», words by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 №11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
N. Medtner
Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.50
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No.4 in G minor, Op.40
Zhu Yuanheng
China
Born in 2004 in Shengzhou, China. Has studied with Zhu Hao (Steinway Artist) since 2018.
Graduated from the affiliated music school of Zhejiang Conservatory and entered Zhejiang Conservatory in 2022.
Graduated from the affiliated music school of Zhejiang Conservatory and entered Zhejiang Conservatory in 2022.
Laureate of the China Grand Canal International Piano Art Festival, Lang Lang Cup Competition, Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition, Steinway Young Pianists Competition, White Magnolia International Music Festival, Xiamen Music Season International Piano Competition, MTPC Talent Award, and the Zhejiang round of China Golden Bell Competition.
Has performed with the Fujian Grand Theatre Youth Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, and Xiamen Theatre Symphony Orchestra, under conductors including Wei Danwen, Zhao Xiao'ou, Jiao Yang, and Bian Sicong.
1st Round
Rachmaninoff
Prelude in F sharp minor, Op. 23 No. 1
Prelude in B-flat major, Op. 23 No. 2
Prelude in D minor, Op. 23 No. 3
Prelude in D major, Op. 23 No. 4
F. Mompou. Canción y Danza 1
M. Ravel. La valse. Poème chorégraphique (piano arrangements) M.72
2nd Round
B. Bartók, Piano Sonata BB. 88
K.Debussy. Estampes L.100
1 Pagodes
Scriabin Fantasy in B minor, Op.28
S. Rachmaninoff . Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op.22
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff. Romances
«Do not sing, my beauty…», lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4
«The Rat-Сatcher», lyrics by V. Bryusov, Op. 38 №4
«The dream», lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 №5
«A-оо!», lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38, №6
«Vocalise», Op. 34, №14
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Prokofiev. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor,Op. 30
Anisa Dazhaeva
Russia
Graduated from the Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory, where she studied under Andrei Zhavoronkov and Mikhail Voskresensky. Since 2022, she has been studying at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Yuri Favorin. Laureate of international piano competitions in Verona, Montecatini (Italy, 2023), and Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic, 2015). She has given solo recitals in Verona, Mantua, Belluno (Italy), and has performed in Florence, Austria, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
As part of the Vladimir Spivakov Foundation’s program, she has taken part in concerts across Russia, including in Naberezhnye Chelny, Kostroma, and at the Moscow International House of Music.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in F Minor, Op. 33 No. 1
Etude-Tableaux in E-flat Major, Op. 33 No. 6
Etude-Tableaux in G Minor, Op. 33 No. 8
Etude-Tableaux in E-flat Minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (Second Edition)
2nd Round
E. Granados
El amor y la muerte (Love and Death), from the piano suite Goyescas
S. Rachmaninoff
Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 28
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
Arion, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 No. 5
In the Silence of the Secret Night…, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 No. 3
The Migrant Wind, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 No. 4
How Long Ago, My Friend, lyrics by A. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Op. 4 No. 6
What Happiness…, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 34 No. 12
It Cannot Be!, lyrics by A. Maikov, Op. 34 No. 7
Let Us Leave, My Dear, lyrics by A. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Op. 26 No. 5
The Water Lily, lyrics by A. Pleshcheev after Heine, Op. 8 No. 1
Again I Am Alone, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 No. 9
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
Alexander Kutuzov
Russia
Born in 1996 in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin Moscow College of Musical Performance under Maxim Philippov, then continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory with the same teacher.
He has given solo concerts in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Astana, Minsk, Kyiv, Paris, Hamburg, Venice, Vienna, and Dubrovnik. Performed with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the orchestra of the St. Petersburg State Academic Capella, Astana Opera Orchestra, North German Radio Symphony Orchestra of the Elbphilharmonie (NDR, Hamburg), Kyiv Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Laureate of numerous Russian and international competitions, including the Russian Delphic Games, “Step to Mastery,” the Tchaikovsky Youth Competition, the Horowitz Memorial Competition, and Astana Piano Passion.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23 No. 5
Etude-Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 33 No. 3
Etude-Tableaux in B Minor, Op. 39 No. 4
Etude-Tableaux in D Minor, Op. 39 No. 8
Prelude in E Major, Op. 32 No. 3
Etude-Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 39 No. 7
S. Prokofiev
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 1
2nd Round
J. Brahms
Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118
S. Rachmaninoff
Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances (Op. 38)
In My Garden at Night…, lyrics by A. Blok, No. 1
To Her, lyrics by A. Bely, No. 2
Daisies, lyrics by I. Severyanin, No. 3
The Rat Catcher, lyrics by V. Bryusov, No. 4
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, No. 5
A-oo!, lyrics by K. Balmont, No. 6
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 40
S. Prokofiev
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16
Ryota Matsuhashi
Japan
Born in Japan in 1999 Graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 2024 (class of Alexander Vershinin), where he continues his studies in the postgraduate assistantship program.
Participated in masterclasses by Andrei Pisarev, Alexei Lyubimov, Rena Shereshevskaya, Natalia Trull, Miroslav Kultyshev, among others.
Laureate of international competitions named after V. Gavrilin (Vologda, 2019), Andantino (Tallinn, Estonia, 2022), and the All-Russian competition “Lestvitsa Masterstva” (Moscow, 2022). Has performed at venues including the Moscow Conservatory halls, Moscow International House of Music, Saidashev State Grand Concert Hall (Kazan), Tver Philharmonic, and Vyatka Philharmonic.
Appeared as soloist with the Tver Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Participant of the Tchaikovsky International Youth Festival (Moscow–Klin, 2024) and the Emil Gilels Moscow Piano Music Festival (2024).
1st Round
S. Prokofiev
Piano Sonata No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 29
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 2
Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 6
Prelude in C Minor, Op. 23 No. 7
Prelude in A-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 8
Prelude in E-flat Minor, Op. 23 No. 9
Prelude in G-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 10
2nd Round
M. Ravel
Mirrors, M. 43
1
Noctuelles (Night Moths)
2
Oiseaux tristes (Sad Birds)
3
Une barque sur l’océan (A Boat on the Ocean)
4
Alborada del gracioso (Morning Serenade of the Jester)
5
La vallée des cloches (The Valley of Bells)
S. Rachmaninoff
Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 5 (composer’s piano transcription of the romance)
Fragments (1917)
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (Second Edition)
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
The Water Lily, lyrics by A. Pleshcheev after Heine, Op. 8 No. 1
Child! Like a Flower You Are Beautiful…, lyrics by A. Pleshcheev after Heine, Op. 8 No. 2
In My Garden at Night…, lyrics by A. Blok, Op. 38 No. 1
To Her, lyrics by A. Bely, Op. 38 No. 2
Daisies, lyrics by I. Severyanin, Op. 38 No. 3
The Rat Catcher, lyrics by V. Bryusov, Op. 38 No. 4
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No. 5
A-oo!, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38 No. 6
Spring Waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No. 11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Prokofiev
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16 (revised 1923)
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Elizaveta Klyuchereva
Russia
Born in 1999 Graduated from the Moscow Conservatory under Vladimir Ovchinnikov and is now pursuing a postgraduate assistantship with the same professor. She trained at the Piano Academy in Eppan (Italy), where she received the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Prize (2024).
Laureate of international competitions including the Lyon Piano Competition (2018), Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte (Czech Republic, 2019), Olga Kern Competition (Albuquerque, USA, 2019), Singapore Competition (2020), Pietro Argento Competition (Italy, 2020), and Wandering Musical Stars (Tel Aviv, 2023).
Scholarship recipient of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, Yamaha Music Foundation, Liechtenstein Music Academy, and the New Names Foundation. She has performed with the Svetlanov State Symphony Orchestra of Russia the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Russian National Orchestra, the Prague Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic. Participant of festivals such as Musical Olympus (St. Petersburg), Stars on Baikal (Irkutsk), and Gradus (Denmark). She has performed in concert halls in Moscow, across Russia, Europe, and Japan, and has been a participant in the programs of the St. Petersburg Music House since 2016
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 3 in B Minor, No. 4 in E Minor, No. 5 in D-flat Major, No. 6 in
C Major
Moment Musical in B Minor, Op. 16 No. 3
Moment Musical in E Minor, Op. 16 No. 4
Moment Musical in D-flat Major, Op. 16 No. 5
Moment Musical in C Major, Op. 16 No. 6
E. Granados
Goyescas, suite for piano
1 Los requiebros (Flirtations)
N. Medtner
Fairy Tale in F Minor, Op. 26 No. 3
Fairy Tale in C-sharp Minor, Op. 35 No. 4
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32 No. 12
Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 6
Polka de V.R., TN 18
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (Second Edition)
C. Debussy. Valse La plus que lente, L. 121
Feux d’artifice, No. 12 from 24 Préludes, Book II
L. Godowsky
Symphonic Metamorphoses on a Waltz Theme by J. Strauss (Die Fledermaus)
3rd Round. 1st Part
|S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
Oh, do not sing to me, fair maiden, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4 No. 4
It’s Nice Here…, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No. 7
In the Silence of the Secret Night…, lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 No. 3
How It Hurts Me…, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No. 12
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No. 5
Excerpt from Musset, lyrics by A. de Musset (tr. A. Apukhtin), Op. 21 No. 6
Once Again Alone, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 No. 9
Spring Waters, lyrics by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 No. 11
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
Leah Nicholson
United Kingdom
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London (class of Tessa Nicholson), Leah Nicholson is currently continuing her studies under the guidance of Galina Sandovskaya. She holds the highest award from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music — the FRSM diploma (Fellowship) with distinction in piano performance. Leah is a laureate of the International Chopin Piano Festival and Competition (Poland), the Scottish International Piano Competition, the 8th James Waterhouse Piano Competition (Scotland), the EPTA Piano Competition (UK), and the Bösendorfer International Piano Competition (USA). She has performed at major international venues, including Wigmore Hall (London), the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Bridgewater Hall, Musikhuset, St. James’s Piccadilly, St. Mary’s Perivale, and the Edinburgh Concert Society.
1st Round
M. Ravel Miroirs, M.43
1 Noctuelles
2 Oiseaux tristes
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude Tableau in E-flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Etude Tableau in C major, Op. 33 No. 2
Etude Tableau in F-sharp minor Op. 39 No. 3
Etude Tableau in E-flat major Op. 33 No. 6
Etude Tableau in G minor Op. 33 No .8
A. Scriabin. Fantasie Op.28 in B minor
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff – Melodie Op.3 in E major [5:00]
D. Shostakovich. Sonata No.2 in B minor, Op. 61
S. Rachmaninoff. Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op.36
3rd Round. 1st Part
«How Fair this Spot…», words by G. Galina, Op. 21 № 7
«Melody», words by S. Nadson, Op. 21 № 9,
«No prophet I», words by А. Kruglov, Op. 21 № 11
«How painful for me…», words by G. Galina, Op. 21 № 12
«Beloved, let us fly», words by A. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Op. 26 № 5
«I Beg for Mercy!», words by D. Merezhkovskky Op. 26 № 8
«Before my window…», words by G. Galina, Op. 26 № 10
«The storm», words by A. Pushkin, Op. 34, № 3
«Arion», words by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 № 5
«It cannot be!..», words by A. Maikov, Op. 34 № 7
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, Op.16
S. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18
Lyubov Glazova
Belarus
Born in Minsk, Lyubov Glazova graduated from the Republican Gymnasium-College at the Belarusian State Academy of Music (class of Ariadna Guzhalovskaya), and later from the Academy itself under Vladimir Dulov and Irina Onoshko.
She is a Presidential Fund for Talented Youth scholar and recipient of Grand Prizes from the Special Fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Laureate of international piano competitions named after S. Richter (Belarus), J. Hoffman (Poland), M. Yudina (Russia), M. Andrianov (Russia), and the Kaunas Sonorum Classical Music Competition (Lithuania), among others.
She has taken part in international festivals such as the “International Conservatory Week”, “European Concerts in St. Petersburg,” and Emir Kusturica’s Kustendorf Classic (Serbia). Silver medalist of the 16th Youth Delphic Games of the CIS (Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 2022). Actively performs in concert. Since 2023 she has taught at the preparatory division of the Belarusian State Academy of Music, and since 2024 at the Department of Special Piano.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in D Minor, Op. 23 No. 3
Three Pieces (1917):
1
Oriental Sketch
2
Prelude in D Minor
3
Fragments
Etude-Tableaux in C Major, Op. 33 No. 2
Etude-Tableaux in C-sharp Minor, Op. 33 No. 9
S. Prokofiev
Mephisto Waltz from the cycle Three Pieces for Piano, Op. 96
D. Kabalevsky
Four Preludes for Piano, Op. 5
B. Bartók
Dance No. 1 from Two Romanian Folk Dances, BB 56
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 33 No. 3
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (Second Edition)
A. Schoenberg
Piece No. 1 from Three Pieces for Piano (1894)
S. Prokofiev
Waltz from the opera War and Peace, Op. 96 No. 1
Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 14
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Lilac, lyrics by E. Beketova, Op. 21 No. 5
Child! Like a flower, you are beautiful..., lyrics by A. Pleshcheyev (after Heine), Op. 8 No. 2
They Answered, lyrics by V. Hugo (translated by L. Mey), Op. 21 No. 4
The Night is Sad, lyrics by I. Bunin, Op. 26 No. 12
In the Silence of the Secret Night..., lyrics by A. Fet, Op. 4 No. 3
At Night in My Garden..., lyrics by A. Blok, Op. 38 No. 1
It’s Nice Here…, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 21 No. 7
I'm Waiting for You…, lyrics by M. Davidova, Op. 14 No. 1
3rd Round. 2nd Part
D. Kabalevsky
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 23
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Ivan Chepkin
Russia
Born in 2008, he is currently a student at the Gnessin Moscow Special School of Music (College), where he studies under Anna Arzamanova, Honored Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation.
He is a prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions in Russia and abroad, including in Austria, France, Switzerland, the USA, Romania, and Latvia.
He holds the Gold Medal of the 18th Youth Delphic Games of Russia (Rostov-on-Don, 2019), the Bronze Nutcracker of the 21st International TV Contest “Nutcracker” (Moscow, 2020), and is a laureate of the Grand Piano Competition (Moscow, 2024). Winner of the Fourth International Piano Competition ”Jeune Chopin”(Lugano, 2025).
He has performed with major ensembles such as the Svetlanov State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra, and the Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
He has taken part in leading international festivals including Moscow Greets Friends, January Evenings, the Russia-Poland Youth Arts Academy, Lielais Dzintars (Latvia), SobrioFestival (Switzerland), among others.
He is a scholarship holder of the Iveta Voronova New Names Foundation and regularly performs in programs of the Vladimir Spivakov Charitable Foundation.
He has appeared at Russia’s most prestigious venues, including Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music, and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. He has performed in cities across Russia and abroad, including in Latvia, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in E minor, Op. 32 No. 4
Prelude in G major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in F minor, Op. 32 No. 6
Prelude in F major, Op. 32 No. 7
Prelude in G sharp minor, Op. 32 No. 12
C. Debussy.
Estampes, L 100
L’Isle Joyeuse, L. 106
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in F-sharp minor Op. 23 No. 1
Prelude in B-flat major Op. 23 No. 2
N. Medtner. Sonata in B-flat minor Romantica, Op.53 No.1
S. Rachmaninoff. Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36, 2nd edition
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff . Romances
“Before my Window”, lyrics by G. Galina, Op. 26, No. 10
“Do Not Sing, My Beauty”, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4, No. 4
“Fragment from Musset” translated by A. Apukhtin, op. 21, № 6
“In My Garden at Night” lyrics by A. Blok (from Isaakyan), op. 38 № 1
“To her”, lyrics by A. Belïy, op. 38, № 2
“Daisies,” lyrics by I. Severyanin, op. 38, № 3
“A-oo!” lyrics by K. Balmont (after E. Poe), op. 38 № 6
“Believe Me Not, Friend! “, lyrics by A. Tolstoy, op. 14 No. 7
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43
Piano Concerto No. 2, in C Minor, Op. 18
Yun Xuhua
China
Born in Jiangsu, China. Graduated from the Special Music School of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied piano under Natalia Usakova.
Currently a first-year student at the Moscow Conservatory under Natalia Trull.
Has performed at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the State Academic Capella, and participated in the Alexander Scriabin Music Festival and the Surgut Philharmonic Seasons Festival.
Recipient of a special prize at the International Piano Competition in Switzerland (2021) and laureate of the Scriabin Competition in Italy (2023).
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 2
Etude-Tableaux in B Minor, Op. 39 No. 4
Etude-Tableaux in E-flat Minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 6
A. Scriabin
Mazurka in E Major, Op. 3 No. 4
Piano Sonata No. 5 in F-sharp Major, Op. 53
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Prelude in B-flat Minor, Op. 32 No. 2
Prelude in E Minor, Op. 32 No. 4
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
S. Prokofiev
Romeo and Juliet Before Parting, from Ten Pieces from the Ballet “Romeo and Juliet”, Op. 75
I. Stravinsky
Three Movements from Petrushka (1921), K 012a
1
Russian Dance
2
Petrushka's Room
3
Shrovetide Fair
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
Do Not Sing, My Beauty…, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4 No. 4
Daisies, lyrics by I. Severyanin, Op. 38 No. 3
A-oo!, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38 No. 6
The Migrant Wind, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 No. 4
In My Garden at Night…, lyrics by A. Blok, Op. 38 No. 1
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 43
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
Alessandro Villalva
Italy
Born in 1998 in Italy, Alessandro Villalva earned his master’s degree in piano performance from the Mozarteum University Salzburg under Pietro De Maria in 2024 and is currently continuing his studies there with Jacques Rouvier.
He is a prizewinner of many international competitions, including Città di Minerbio (Italy, 2021), Master Orchestra in Brescia (2022), Amadeus in Lazise, Rospigliosi Piano Prize, and the Masarosa Piano Competition.
He has performed at festivals such as Lucca Classica and Ravello Festival, and given solo and chamber concerts in Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. In 2023 he was selected for Alfred Brendel’s masterclasses and received the “Best Second Round Participant” award at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.
1st Round
C. Debussy. Préludes, Livre 2, L.123
5 Bruyères
S. Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableaux in A minor, Op.39 No.6
Etude-Tableaux in D minor, Op.33 No.4
Prelude in G major Op.32 No.5
Etude-Tableaux in B minor, Op.39 No.4
Prelude in G minor, Op.23 No.5
Piano Sonata No.5 in F sharp major, Op.53
2nd Round
J. Brahms. 7 Fantasien, Op.116
S. Rachmaninoff . Moments musicaux, Op.16
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff . Romances
«The Muse», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 34 №1
«The Migrant Wind», words by K. Balmont, Op.34 №4
What happiness…», words by A. Fet, Op 34 №12
«Dissonance», words by J. Polonsky, Op.34 №13
«Vocalise», Op. 34, №14
3rd Round. 2nd Part
Ravel. Piano Concerto No. 1 in G major , M. 83
S. Rachmaninoff . Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor , Op.18
Saori Sugimoto
Japan
Graduated from the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts, where she is now a postgraduate student. Simultaneously studies at the Moscow Conservatory (third year). Her piano teachers include Hiroshi Arimori, Claudio Soares, Dmitry Kaprin, and Aristotelis Konstantinidis.
Attended a master class with Maria João Pires in Tokyo and later studied with her in Portugal in 2019
Prize-winner of the 64th All Japan Student Music Competition, the PTNA Piano Competition, the 11th Osaka International Competition, and the 9th Sakai International Competition. Graduate of the 16th Hamamatsu International Piano Academy.
Has given a solo recital at Sagawa-Bunko Hall in Mito and performed with orchestras in Tokyo, Osaka, and São Paulo.
Attended a master class with Maria João Pires in Tokyo and later studied with her in Portugal in 2019
Prize-winner of the 64th All Japan Student Music Competition, the PTNA Piano Competition, the 11th Osaka International Competition, and the 9th Sakai International Competition. Graduate of the 16th Hamamatsu International Piano Academy.
Has given a solo recital at Sagawa-Bunko Hall in Mito and performed with orchestras in Tokyo, Osaka, and São Paulo.
1st Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 5 (author’s piano transcription of the romance)
Prelude in C Major, Op. 32 No. 1
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32 No. 12
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 2
A. ScriabinPoème in F-sharp Major, Op. 32 No. 1
Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 70
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Élégie, Op. 3 No. 1
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 6
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
A. Scriabin
Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 38
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 66
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
The Muse, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 No. 1
On the Death of a Linnet, lyrics by V. Zhukovsky, Op. 21 No. 8
The Migrant Wind, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 No. 4
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No. 5
A-oo!, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38 No. 6
Do Not Sing, My Beauty…, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4 No. 4
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 43
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
A. Scriabin
Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor, Op. 20
S. Rachmaninoff
Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 5 (author’s piano transcription of the romance)
Prelude in C Major, Op. 32 No. 1
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32 No. 12
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 2
A. ScriabinPoème in F-sharp Major, Op. 32 No. 1
Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 70
2nd Round
S. Rachmaninoff
Élégie, Op. 3 No. 1
Etude-Tableaux in A Minor, Op. 39 No. 6
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
A. Scriabin
Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 38
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 66
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68
3rd Round. 1st Part
S. Rachmaninoff – Romances
The Muse, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 34 No. 1
On the Death of a Linnet, lyrics by V. Zhukovsky, Op. 21 No. 8
The Migrant Wind, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 34 No. 4
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
The Dream, lyrics by F. Sologub, Op. 38 No. 5
A-oo!, lyrics by K. Balmont, Op. 38 No. 6
Do Not Sing, My Beauty…, lyrics by A. Pushkin, Op. 4 No. 4
3rd Round. 2nd Part
S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 43
Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30
A. Scriabin
Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor, Op. 20
Zhou Noah
United Kingdom
Currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Noah Zhou is a recipient of the Sir Elton John Scholarship, the Hattori Foundation Award, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award, and the Drake Calleja Foundation Award.
In 2018, he was named Duet Prize winner for Best Young Instrumentalist by the Royal Philharmonic Society.
A prizewinner of many national and international competitions, he has won the Valsesia Musica and Euregio Piano Award, and was a finalist at the Horowitz and Manchester International Concerto Competitions.
He made his solo recital debut at Wigmore Hall in London in January 2025 Active internationally, he has performed with orchestras in the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Brazil. He is also the artistic co-director of the Piano Concerto Festival, which offers young pianists opportunities to perform with professional orchestras.
Round 1
Rachmaninoff. Prelude in E-flat Major Op.23 No.6 Duration:3’20”
Rachmaninoff. Prelude in C Minor Op.23 No.7 Duration:2’30”
Kreisler/Rachmaninov. Liebesfreud, Liebesleid Duration:11’40”
Ravel. Mirrors M.43 No.5 La Vallée des Cloches Duration:5’20”
Scriabin. Sonata No. 7 Op.64 Duration:11’40”
Round 2
Rachmaninoff. Etude Tableau in D Minor Op.39 No.8 Duration:3’20”
Rachmaninoff. Sonata No.2 in B-flat Minor Op.36 （1913) Duration:23'50"
Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit M.55 Duration:23'20"
Round 3
Rachmaninoff «Do not sing, my beauty…», words by A.S. Pushkin, Op. 4 №4, Duration:5’00”
Rachmaninoff «The water lily», words by A.Pleshcheev after Heinrich Heine, Op. 8 №1 Duration:1’30”
Rachmaninoff «How Fair this Spot...», words by G. Galina, Op.21 №7 Duration:2’00”
Rachmaninoff «Spring waters», words by F. Tyutchev, Op. 14 №11, Duration:2’00”
Rachmaninoff «Vocalise», Op. 34, №14 , Duration:6’30”
Rachmaninoff «The dream», words by F. Sologub, Op. 38 №5, Duration:3’30”
Rachmaninoff «A-оо!», words by K. Balmont, Op. 38, №6, Duration:2’20”
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 in D Minor Op.30 Duration:44’00”
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43 Duration:24’00”