The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 – Gold Medal Winner

23-year-old Alim Beisembayev from Kazakhstan won the 20th edition of the Leeds International Piano Competition, a triennial event widely regarded as among the most prestigious prizes in the musical world.

In addition to First Prize, Alim Beisembayev also won the medici.tv Audience Prize, voted for by the public, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Prize for performance of a 20th/21st century work. 

Alim Beisembayev is the first prize-winner from Kazakhstan in the history of the Leeds International Piano Competition.

Adam Gatehouse, Artistic Director of The Leeds, said: “…. From the very first note I heard him play, which happened to be the very first note of the pre-selection round back last November, he stood out for the extraordinary maturity, brilliance, musicality and versatility of his playing….. I’m absolutely certain that Alim Beisembayev is destined for a very distinguished career.” 

Imogen Cooper, Chair of the Jury, said: “... I was particularly impressed with the Ligeti studies he played in the Semi-Finals. They are some of the hardest ones out there and he played without any scores at all, it was breath-taking. … I think he’s a big star for the future and I’m very glad that he’s landed the First Prize.”