"A sensational victory for a 25-year-old Canadian: he claims the esteemed Leeds piano competition"
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, a 25-year-old pianist from Canada, has made headlines around the world after winning the Leeds International Piano Competition. The competition, held every three years and considered one of the classical music world's most prestigious prizes, took place at St George's Hall in Bradford.
The competition was co-founded in 1963 by Dame Fanny Waterman, and this year's jury was chaired by Sir Barry Douglas. The competition was open to pianists under 30 from around the world, and Jaeden beat out four other finalists: Junyan Chen (China), Khanh Nhi Luong (Vietnam), Kai-Min Chang (Taiwan), and Julian Trevelyan (United Kingdom).
Jaeden's winning performance was of Brahms' Piano Concerto No.2 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Domingo Hindoyan. He expressed his joy and humility after the win, mentioning that some of his musical heroes are among the competition's laureates. Jaeden praised the orchestra for their phenomenal sound and collaborative work with Domingo Hindoyan, describing the experience as "unforgettable."
In addition to the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal, Jaeden wins a prize of £30,000. This is not the first time Jaeden has made waves in the classical music world. In 2021, he was named one of '30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30' by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In May 2024, Jaeden also won the 2024 Montreal International Music Competition, taking home more than $150,000 (£83,200).
Dame Imogen Cooper, chair of the jury, stated that Jaeden demonstrated exceptional artistic maturity and imagination, remarkable technical command, and a profound ability to captivate and transport the audience. Jaeden's win has not only brought him international acclaim but also opened up a series of concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a debut at Wigmore Hall, and recital tours across the UK and internationally.
With such a promising start to his career, it's clear that Jaeden Izik-Dzurko is a pianist to watch in the years to come.
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