Leeds International Piano Competition

Leeds International Piano Competition
Current: 21st Edition 2024
Awarded forExceptional piano performance
LocationGreat Hall of the University of Leeds
Leeds Town Hall
(St George's Hall, Bradford in 2024)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Presented byLeeds International Piano Competition
Formerly calledLeeds International Pianoforte Competition
First awarded1963; 61 years ago (1963)
Last awarded2024
Websitewww.leedspiano.com

The Leeds International Piano Competition, informally known as The Leeds and formerly the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition,[1][2] is an international piano competition which takes place every three years in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1961 by Marion, Countess of Harewood, Dame Fanny Waterman and Roslyn Lyons, with the first competition being held in 1963. Waterman was the chair and artistic director up to the 2015 competition when Paul Lewis and Adam Gatehouse became Co-Artistic Directors.

The first round of the competition takes place internationally and in 2021 went 'virtual' when 63 pianists were recorded in 17 international locations and the Jury deliberated online, in order to circumvent the various impacts of Covid. The 21st Edition in 2024 held the First Round in six international locations, after receiving a record 366 applications. The Second Round and Semi-finals take place in the Great Hall of the University of Leeds. The Concerto Finals of the 2024 Competition exceptionally took place at St George's Hall, Bradford while Leeds Town Hall underwent major refurbishment.[3]

Since 2018, the Competition has reach a global audience through its broadcasting, achieving over 10.2 million views in 2024 through multiple channels and platforms, including BBC Four, BBC Radio 3, medici.tv, Amadeus.tv (China), Classic FM and Mezzo.tv.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference pre2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference wfimc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Bradford to host next Leeds International Piano Competition Finals". Leeds International Piano Competition. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.