15th Unisa International Piano Competition Celebrates Global Talent

The prestigious 15th Unisa International Piano Competition recently concluded, featuring a diverse group of pianists from various parts of the world. The event, organized by the University of South Africa (Unisa), showcased 30 talented contestants from 30 different countries, with the finals taking place on February 2 and 3, 2024.

Esteemed guests, including Unisa Chancellor, Principal, and Former President of South Africa, Dr. Thabo Mbeki, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula, were present on the final night, showing their support for the competitors and the arts.

Since its inception in 1982, the Unisa International Piano Competition has been a quadrennial event in Pretoria, welcoming pianists up to the age of 30. Renowned for its high level of competition, it has become a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. The competition's very first winner, Canadian pianist Marc-André Hammelin, has gone on to achieve considerable success on the international stage.

In her remarks, Professor Puleng highlighted the dedication required by pianists to reach the peak of their performance, while Dr. Mbeki pointed out the unifying power of piano competitions in bridging cultural and societal gaps. Dr. Mbeki further emphasized the role of music, especially during times of global strife, in promoting peace and understanding between communities.

The winners of this year's competition included Leo De Maria from Spain, who took home the 1st Prize in the Classical category, and Dabin Ryu from South Korea, who won the 1st Prize in the Jazz category. Runners-up included Tomas Jonsson from the USA, earning the 2nd Prize in Jazz, and Elizaveta Ukrainskaia from Russia, securing the 2nd Prize in the Classical category.

The event culminated in a celebratory mood as the victors were honored on stage. Dr. Mbeki congratulated them, stressing the importance of continuing their artistic endeavors beyond the competition.

competition, piano, music