Russian pianist steals the show to win competition

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Photography by Bob Mazzer. SUS-180703-094049001

A Russian playing Tchaikovsky was always going to be a potential treat and Roman Kosyakov, who seemed to have brought the weather from his native Siberia with him for much of the week, did not disappoint.

A graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory who now studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the 25-year-old was presented with a cheque for £15,000 and a guaranteed soloist appearance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, plus the opportunity to play a concerto in the USA and other concerts across Britain.

The two-part final, which took place on Friday and Saturday night, was hosted this year by Bill Turnbull, formerly a stalwart of BBC Breakfast Television and now a presenter for Classic FM. He also awarded the prizes.

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Photography by Bob Mazzer. SUS-180703-094211001

There were brilliant performances from all six of the finalists, who are among the finest young concert pianists in the world. They were playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who won rapturous applause from the enthusiastic audience.

Friday night began with a sensitive performance of Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Su Yeon Kim from South Korea, followed by a dazzling rendition of Prokoviev’s Piano Conerto No. 3 by Chinese pianist Gen Li.

The evening finished with another South Korean, Kyoungsun Park, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the ‘Emperor’ concerto.

Saturday night started with a mesmerising performance of the same fiendishly-difficult Prokoviev concerto by Fanya Lin from Taiwan and continued with Rixiang Huang from China playing Liszt’s Piano Concert No. 1. The final ended with Roman Kosyakov’s winning interpretation of the Tchaikovsky.

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Photography by Bob Mazzer. SUS-180703-094142001

The distinguished collection of international jurors faced a tough decision separating such thrillingly talented young pianists to determine a winner.

They awarded second prize of £7,000 to Su Yeon Kim and third to Gen Li. He was followed by Fanya Lin in fourth place, then Rixiang Huang in fifth and Kyoungsun Park in sixth.

Next year’s competition will start on February 21, 2019.

• For a review of the competition, see page 68.