Aung San Suu Kyi becomes Honorary Ambassador for Leeds International Piano Competition

Mr Cameron said: 'The Leeds International Piano Competition is one of the great classical music competitions in the world. It’s a tremendous advert for Leeds and for Britain as a whole. Aung San Suu Kyi’s appreciation of piano playing is well known. So it is fantastic that the competition has made this tribute to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. And it is a fitting way to end her brilliant and historic visit to Britain.'

The Competition’s Chairman and Artistic Director Dame Fanny Waterman said that the top prize will be named the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Gold Medal in recognition of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s inspiration, courage and hope for humanity and her appreciation of piano playing, saying that 'in this special Golden Anniversary Year this is the greatest honour our piano competition has ever received.'

The 17th Leeds International Piano Competition takes place 29th August to 16th September. Over the last 50 years, the Competition has sustained an enviable reputation for launching the successful careers of some of the world’s finest and most eminent pianists of our time. Prize winners from 28 different countries to date include Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Andras Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida, Lars Vogt, Louis Lortie and Artur Pizarro.

This year more than 270 entries were submitted, from which 80 pianists from over 20 countries have been selected to compete in front of a distinguished international jury. Six finalists will perform with the Hallé, conducted by Sir Mark Elder, at Leeds Town Hall on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 September 2012. The winner will receive an £18,000 cash prize donated by the Liz and Terry Bramall Charitable Trust and range of prestigious engagements with leading UK and international orchestras.

Tickets are available from the Leeds International Concert Season website or tel +44 (0)113 224 3801. They cost: £5.00 per session for Stages 1 & 2; £6.00 for the Semi-Finals and from £14.00 to £48.00 for the Finals.

Find out more about The Leeds International Piano Competition