40 pianists selected for the 2026 Hastings International Piano Competition

Chosen by an experienced pre-selection jury, who watched video auditions of 356 applicants from 46 countries, these 40 pianists – aged between 19 and 29 – will travel from 19 nations to compete in one of the world’s leading competitions for the stars of tomorrow.

 

Hastings International Piano is the independent charity that promotes the biennial Hastings International Piano Competition, but its roots go back more than a century to the concerto class in the Hastings Musical Festival which has been taking place in Hastings since 1908. The Competition was revived in 2005 and has evolved into an internationally-renowned competition for young concert pianists from around the world. In recent years its reputation has grown steadily and it is now considered to be one of the top piano competitions in the world, and one of the only ones that asks competitors to play concertos from the first round. It now enjoys partnerships with Steinway & Sons and both the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sinfonia Smith Square. The winner of the 2024 competition, Curtis Phill Hsu, is pictured above; the five finalists from the same edition are pictured below. 

 

 

 

 

This year marks the 18th competition since its revival in 2005, continuing a proud tradition that began over a century ago with the Hastings Musical Festival. Under the artistic direction of Professor Vanessa Latarche (pictured below) since 2020, the competition is renowned for its unique format, requiring competitors to perform concertos from the very first round. 

 

 

The competition Jury, which is led by Latarche, Artistic Director, and President of the Jury comprises Scott Dunn, Jean-Paul Gasparian, Dinara Klinton, Juan Lago, Dr Vivian Sui-Rong Li and Boris Slutsky. Anthony Byrne, Ian Fountain and Carole Presland were members of the Pre-Selection Jury.

 

The 2026 competitors represent a remarkable breadth of talent, with participants from countries including China, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, the USA, Ukraine, Japan, and beyond. 

 

 

Programme of events

 

Round 1: 26-28 February

40 competitors perform extracts from two concertos

 

Round 2: 1–-2 March

20 competitors perform a solo recital including a new work by Sir Stephen Hough

 

Semi-Finals: 4–5 March

10 competitors perform a Classical concerto with Sinfonia Smith Square

 

Finals: 6-7 March

5 finalists perform a Romantic or 20th-century concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

 

The competition is live-streamed, making it accessible to all, so tune in to the competition website when it starts. 

 

For those who live close to Hastings, and who want to attend, tickets for the first two rounds are free, and the public is encouraged to attend and experience world-class music in a seafront theatre. Through its Learning & Participation programme, Hastings International Piano remains committed to bringing classical music to all – from school workshops and community concerts to pop-up pianos across the town – ensuring that the joy of music continues to inspire every generation.

 

 

 

Above: Curtis Phill Hsu taking a curtain call at London's Cadogan Hall with the RPO in September 2024, as part of his prize

 

Prizes

All five competitors who reach the final will receive a prize, with first prize worth approximately £35,000.

 

The competition is generously supported by Steinway & Sons and numerous sponsors and benefactors, including the Kowitz Family Foundation, which has supported the competition

since 2009.

 

 

Detailed information about the dates, times and venues of all rounds – as well as the repertoire information within each round – can be found on the Hastings International Piano Competition website.