The inaugural Dublin International Piano Competition was held in 1988 and has continued triennially. The Competition celebrated its 30th anniversary with the 11th Competition in May 2018. Since its foundation, the Competition has grown in stature, and now ranks among the most important piano competitions in the world.
The 1980’s Ireland, which was in the throes of an economic recession, was an unlikely setting for high-profile international events. It was audacious to contemplate establishing an international piano competition in Ireland to rival other leading events in the world. But in 1987, that is what John O’Conor, already winner of international competitions including the Beethoven and the Bösendorfer Competitions in Vienna, and Ann Fuller created. With Laurie Cearr, then PR Manager with the RTÉ Performing Groups, and Ida Delamer, the renowned silver expert, the embryonic management team launched the Dublin International Piano Competition, with the first competition taking place the following year, 1988.
The Competition offers a generous prize fund, but perhaps the most important prize is the prestigious list of engagements secured for the winner. These include début concerts in London and New York, as well as appearances at international festivals, and concertos with leading orchestras. Previous winners have launched highly successful international careers from this springboard.
The Dublin International Piano Competition makes a dynamic contribution to the cultural enhancement of Dublin. It is inclusive and impressive, bringing the Competitors on a unique journey with a rewarding result.
Chaired by renowned Irish pianist John O’Conor, who also serves as Artistic Director, the Competition attracts an enormous international entry and is adjudicated by distinguished members of the music profession from around the world.
Corporate sponsorship has sustained the competition from the beginning. The first three competitions were generously supported by the GPA Group. In 1994, sponsorship was taken over by Guardian Insurance, and when AXA acquired the company in 1999, AXA also took over title sponsorship for the next decade.
The Competition continues to be funded through a mix of corporate donations and individual benefactors.
The Dublin International Piano Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions and the Alink-Argerich Foundation.
Previous winners currently engaged in successful careers include:
- Philippe Cassard, France (1988)
- Pavel Nersessian, Russia (1991)
- Davide Franceschetti, Italy (1994)
- Max Levinson, USA (1997)
- Alexei Nabioulin, Russia (2000)
- Antti Siirala, Finland (2003)
- Romain Descharmes, France (2006)
- Alexej Gorlatch, Ukraine (2009)
- Nikolay Khozyainov, Russia (2012)
- Nathalia Milstein, France (2015)
- The 2018 winner Sae Yoon Chon (South Korea) has begun a series of international engagements.
Mission Statement
The Dublin International Piano Competition was established in 1987 with the following aims.
1) To provide an opportunity for young Irish pianists to participate in our international competition of the highest standard;
2) To bring to Dublin the world’s best young professional pianists;
3) To offer the contestants the opportunity of being heard by international agents and press under concert conditions which will help launch them on a successful professional performing career;
4) To present prizewinners recitals in major concert halls abroad e.g. Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall to broaden their career opportunities. To negotiate with and obtain agents to assist the progress of their careers and to sponsor the making of recordings and the maintenance of their website profile to help them with the publicity essential to the progress of their careers;
5) To promote the cultural identity of Ireland abroad;
6) To generate a more widespread interest and awareness of the work of Irish composers by commissioning works which will be played in the semi-finals of the Competition;
7) To promote the performance of music through concerts which are not mainstream events, such as the Piano Spectacular, the Mozart Concerto Gala and Philippe Cassard’s Debussy Day to name but a few.