2025.03.06
Curtains Close on the 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition
The much-anticipated competition was held from November 8th through 25th in Hamamatsu following its unfortunate cancellation in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition was started by Hamamatsu City in 1991 to commemorate the city’s 80th anniversary, as well as to serve as an international cultural event showcasing its rich history and tradition as a city of music and instruments. It has since been held every three years, with this year marking its most recent iteration.
The competition grants many young talented pianists dreaming of the global stage the opportunity to show off the results of their hard work and further hone their skills. The range of nationalities of the participants also provides a chance for international exchange and the promotion of global music culture.
Many of the prizewinners in Hamamatsu have gone on to win further top prizes in other well-known international competitions. Thus, the competition has produced many pianists who are active on the world stage, earning high praise both at home and abroad.
The last competition in 2021 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been the first competition in the last six years, making it a long-awaited event for both the competing pianists and audience members.
This year saw a new record of 638 applications from 47 countries and one region around the world and 94 aspiring professional pianists made it through the application round to the stage at Act Tower after the preliminary screening by video.
The final round was preceded by three qualifiers which hopeful participants had to pass in order to secure their chances of winning. Each round narrowed down the performers until only six finalists remained. The finalists performed elaborately and passionately accompanied by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, in front of audience that filled the main hall of Act City Hamamatsu.
▲Venue: Act City Hamamatsu
▲A scene from final round
Among the six finalists, Ms. SUZUKI Manami secured her victory and was awarded the first prize, becoming the first Japanese winner in the competition’s history. She received a special package of prizes that consists of a domestic and international winner’s tour next year onwards and the chance for a CD debut. We expect great things in her future as she showcases her talent on the international stage, as well as the other five finalists.
On the final day, a concert was held by Ms. SUZUKI and the other finalists, bringing the competition to a spectacular close.
▲Awards Ceremony
The competition also works very closely with the local community, with local residents acting as guide volunteers for the contestants and visitors, offering homestays for competitors, and organizing home and school concerts for the contestants. This grass-roots aspect of the competition is surely here to stay.
The 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition proved to once again be an extremely exciting event, a perfect fit for “City of Music, Hamamatsu” after a six year absence.
The official website (https://www.hipic.jp) has a collection of piano performances in YouTube channel and a link to the English version. Please take a look.
