Franz Liszt
The fifth Franz Liszt (Liszt Ferenc) International Piano Competition concluded on Friday with a grand finale held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The prestigious event crowned Chinese pianist Jing Li as its winner.
The four-member jury awarded Jing Li the $25,000 grand prize, recognizing her as the standout performer of the competition. She also earned the Audience Choice Award, securing both professional and public acclaim.
In the final round, four young pianists competed, each performing either Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto in E-flat major or A major. The finalists were accompanied by the Saint Luke’s Orchestra, one of New York’s prominent symphonic ensembles.
Speaking to MTI, pianist and artistic director Ádám György—who also served on the jury—highlighted the competition’s renewed format this year. Thanks to increased support, the selection process included regional finals held in Asia, Europe, and the United States, preceded by a video audition phase. The semi-final round took place in New York on October 1 and 2, where the final four competitors were selected.
Ádám György emphasized that beyond supporting young talent, the competition aims to preserve and promote Franz Liszt’s musical legacy, particularly by introducing it to broader American audiences.
Hungarian Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó presented the grand prize. In his opening remarks before the concert, he underscored the importance of Hungary’s musical language, describing it as a vital part of the nation’s cultural heritage and a force that has helped sustain Hungarian identity over the centuries. He highlighted the significance of Franz Liszt’s work, alongside that of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, as pillars of this rich musical tradition.
The international jury also included Gábor Farkas, head of the piano department at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest; Yoheved Kaplinsky, Israeli-born pianist and educator; and Steven Spooner, piano professor at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.
The event marked the conclusion of Minister Hankó’s three-day official visit to the United States and stood as a prime example of Hungarian cultural diplomacy on the global stage.
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