The Málaga City International Piano Competition
With 2024 being the very first Málaga City International Piano Competition, the event exhibited exceptionally high levels of performance and is destined to garner much-deserved recognition and prominence in the classical music world.
Born from the knowing that one more international piano competition does matter to the world, the Málaga City International Piano Competition (MCIPC) recently reached a dazzling conclusion. The MCIPC endeavors to project the beauty, history, and artistic heritage that is uniquely Málaga. Founder and Artistic Director, Pablo Amorós, with the enthusiastic support of Francisco de la Torre, mayor of the city, and many others, delivered a captivatingly beautiful series.
“Art is unconcealable and cannot be replaced by technique. When a talented pianist plays the piano, all the blood of the art of music rushes into their hands. Music is singularity, it is individuality, it is distinction.”
Pablo Amorós – Founder and Artistic Director
Málaga City International Piano Competition
About Málaga, Spain
Málaga sits on the southern coast of the Mediterranean, known as the Coast of the Sun, and is the sixth largest city in Spain. Believed to have been established approximately 770 BC, Málaga is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe and is home to many significant cultural activities. The Málaga City International Piano Competition is now a part of that artistic landscape.
The 2024 MCIPC Final Results
MCIPC featured 24 pianists from 12 different countries. Each finalist performed with the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor, maestro Salvador Vázquez.
| First Prize Winner | Sergey Belyavsky | Russia |
| Second Prize Winner
and Special Prize – Best performer of the semifinal |
Jialin Yao | China |
| Third Prize Winner
and Special Prize – Best classified Spanish pianist |
Emin Kiourktchian | Spain |
Meet the Shigeru Kawai Master Piano Artisan (MPA)
Master Piano Artisan, Kiyotoshi Yokoyama plied his substantial technical skills and experience as the lead piano technician for MCIPC. Mr. Kiyotoshi applied his thorough and attentive hands and ears to balance the pianos with the acoustics of the performance hall skillfully.
The MPA program is a proprietary piano technician learning and training institute at Kawai’s Ryuyo piano research and development facility located in Japan. Reaching the elite status of MPA means combining years of study, training, and skills to meticulously create and maintain Shigeru Kawai grand pianos to the highest of standards. Piano precision, mastery, and attention to the finest detail are the hallmarks of a Kawai MPA.
Comments from the Top Three Prize Winners
First Prize Winner: Sergey Belyavsky
– How did you feel about being a finalist and playing the piano concerto at the end？
“I was most excited about being in the finals as well as to perform with wonderful Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Salvador Vazquez. The whole experience of the competition was amazing for me because of their incredible organization and their dedication to making it possible. I liked the venue as well. I really hope and wish to them a lot of success and flourishing for their next edition, which is going to be next year and I strongly believe that it is a great opportunity for pianists to apply and to show their talent.”
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
“I loved playing Shigeru Kawai, it is not my first time enjoying playing Shigeru Kawai. I have chosen to play it previously in various competitions and I always admire how much Shigeru Kawai Company pays attention to details, and sends amazing and incredibly professional technicians, who also have great passion for the instrument and take the best possible care. I can only wish there were more competitions, which would have Shigeru Kawai as a choice as well as concert venues. Having it in Malaga surely elevated the whole experience of the competition not only for me, but for other competitors as well. Everyone I talked to loved the instrument and said they also wished there were more instruments of such caliber everywhere.”
2nd Prize Winner: Jialin Yao
– How did you feel about being a finalist and playing the piano concerto at the end？
“I feel very lucky and grateful for being one of the three finalists of the first Málaga City International Piano Competition. It was my first visiting Spain and my first time playing Chopin’s Concerto No.1 with Orchestra. I had unforgettable and beautiful memories of the first time performing this great concerto with orchestra. It was an intense but inspiring, enjoyable 10 days.”
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
“I have been playing the Shigeru Kawai piano in many competitions, which include the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition in Tokyo, the Gurwitz International Piano Competition in the USA, and this time in Spain. It is always a privilege for me to play such a high-level instrument, and it makes notes miracles. In the Chamber music rounds, I could easily play with huge dynamic range, and explore extreme pianissimo. In the final rounds, playing Chopin Concerto on Shigeru Kawai made my first time performance of it so much easier. I feel I could create all kinds of poetry and magic on this instrument and easily project through the orchestra. The tone of this Shigeru Kawai is bright, singing, colorful, clean, and nostalgic. All of those characteristics of the piano make this piano a perfect instrument for this piece.”
3rd Prize Winner: Emin Kiourktchian
– How did you feel about being a finalist and playing the piano concerto at the end？
“I was feeling very honored to play as a finalist in this intense competition.
It was my first time in this kind of competitive event when there were four rounds and chamber music. I had a really intense week. The piano was really good, I liked it very much. Very special and powerful sound.”
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
“Shigeru Kawai is a fantastic piano, especially when you need to find a special sound and effects.”
Six elements that make the Málaga City International Piano Competition Special
The Málaga City International Piano Competition is a unique and highly esteemed event in the classical music community.
- Biennial Format:
Held every two years beginning in 2024, the competition endeavors to maintain an exclusive and high-prestige status by allowing ample time for preparation and ensuring high-quality participants and performances. - Venue:
The competition takes place in the historic and acoustically renowned Sala Unicaja de Conciertos María Cristina, providing a prestigious and inspiring setting for the participants. - Diverse and Rigorous Competition Phases:
The event features multiple rounds, including a preselection phase, two qualifying rounds, a semifinal with a quartet, and a final round with the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra. This structure thoroughly tests the versatility and skill of the pianists. - Emphasis on Individuality and Artistic Expression:
The Málaga City International Piano Competition values personal style and artistic beauty over sheer technical perfection. This focus encourages pianists to showcase their unique musical voices. - Substantial Prizes and Opportunities:
With top monetary awards reaching up to 20,000 euros and additional special prizes and concert engagements, the competition provides significant incentives and career opportunities for the winners. - International Jury and Artistic Committee:
The competition boasts a panel of prominent judges and an artistic committee led by founder Pablo Amorós, ensuring high standards of evaluation and fostering a fair and enriching experience for all participants.
The Malaga City International Piano Competition 2026
The Malaga International Piano Competition is a biennial event and therefore the next competition is scheduled for the Summer of 2026.
About Shigeru Kawai Grand Pianos
The SK-EX full concert grand piano by Shigeru Kawai was launched in 2001 and is at the forefront of Shigeru Kawai’s instruments. Each piano is meticulously crafted by hand in limited quantities using a one-of-a-kind “prototyping” process. This process allows for the creation of an instrument with the extraordinary expression and range necessary for a concert piano. The SK-EX utilizes an assortment of hand-picked materials, including aged spruce soundboards, to achieve exceptional quality. Additionally, these pianos feature advanced technology, such as the Millennium III keyboard action, which contains extended wooden keys and state-of-the-art ABS Carbon action parts. These features enable the pianist to convey a deeper and richer range of emotions throughout their performance.
To learn more, visit: Shigeru Kawai Models – Premium Pianos of Japan
