2024 EDITION
The First Edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition
- 23–27 September 2024
- Craiova, Romania
About the 2024 Edition
The beginning of an international artistic project
The First Edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition took place from 23 to 27 September 2024 in Craiova, Romania.
Organized by the “Oltenia” Philharmonic, in collaboration with Craiova City Hall and FUNDAȚIA CULTURALĂ PRO ARTE, the inaugural edition created a cultural platform dedicated to young pianists and to the legacy of Dinu Lipatti.
The competition included an international jury, multiple competition stages, and a Final performed with the “Oltenia” Philharmonic Orchestra – Craiova. It marked the foundation of a project built around artistic excellence, musical integrity, and the promotion of young talent.
DATES
STATUS
LOCATION
FINAL
MAIN VENUE
ELIGIBILITY
PRIZES
Awards and distinctions of the First Edition
The 2024 edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition recognized outstanding artistic achievement through its main awards and special prizes dedicated to cultural memory, national heritage, and artistic excellence.
First Prize
A distinction honoring exceptional talent, artistic maturity, and the promise of a remarkable musical path.
Second Prize
An award celebrating refined musicianship, technical command, and a significant achievement in the competition.
Third Prize
A recognition of dedication, discipline, and musical excellence, marking an important step in the artist’s development.
Special Prizes
In addition to the main awards, the First Edition included special prizes that reflected the cultural identity and artistic values of the competition.
- the Jean Mihail Special Prize, named after the famous Romanian philanthropist from Craiova;
- the Radu Lupu Memorial Prize, dedicated to the legacy of the iconic Romanian pianist and to the enduring influence of the Romanian piano school.
Timetable & Repertoire
Competition timetable and musical structure of the First Edition
The 2024 edition followed a multi-stage competition structure in Craiova, beginning with the drawing of the candidates’ order and continuing through the First Round, Semifinal, rehearsal with orchestra, Final, and Award Gala.
Drawing
23 September 2024
The drawing took place in the morning and determined the candidates’ order for the First Round.
First Round
23–24 September 2024
The First Round opened the live competition stages of the 2024 edition.
Semifinal
25 September 2024
A maximum of 12 candidates were selected for the Semifinal.
Rehearsal with Orchestra
26 September 2024
Finalists took part in the rehearsal with the “Oltenia” Philharmonic Orchestra – Craiova in preparation for the Final.
Final
27 September 2024
The Final was performed with the “Oltenia” Philharmonic Orchestra – Craiova. A maximum of 4 candidates were selected for this stage.
Award Gala
27 September 2024
The Award Gala concluded the First Edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition.
THE JURY
The international jury of the First Edition
The First Edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition brought together a distinguished jury of pianists, professors, and music professionals from Romania and abroad. Presided over by Vincenzo Balzani, the jury contributed to the artistic credibility of the inaugural edition, evaluating candidates throughout the competition stages with attention to technical mastery, stylistic understanding, musical integrity, and expressive depth.
Vincenzo
Balzani
Csiky
Boldizsár Jr.
Dana
Borșan
Andreas
Frolich
Leonel
Morales
Denis
Pascal
Mihai
Ungureanu
RESULTS
Meet the winners of the Second Edition
The results of the 2025 edition celebrate the pianists who distinguished themselves through artistic maturity, technical command, and musical depth throughout the competition rounds.
Major Prizes
- Grand Prize (Marele Trofeu) - Awarded Ex Aequo:
- Khandohi Uladzislau (Belarus) – Performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.
- Ni Chenzhe (China) – Performed Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
- Second Prize: Not awarded.
- Third Prize - Shared:
- Alegre Tomas (Argentina) – Performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.
- De Castro Alejandro (Spain) – Performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5.
Special Awards
- Audience Vote: De Castro Alejandro (Spain).
- Special Prize: Bașcoveanu Robert (Romania).
- Lions Club Craiova Prize: Ivan Shemchuk (Ukraine).
- Radu Lupu Prize: Not awarded.
Gallery
Moments from the 2024 edition
A selection of images from the First Edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition, featuring participants, jury members, performances, and moments from the Award Gala.
Organizer & Partners
The institutions and partners behind the First Edition
The 2024 edition of the Dinu Lipatti International Piano Competition was made possible through the support of cultural institutions, public authorities, artistic partners, and sponsors who contributed to the creation of the inaugural edition. Organized by the “Oltenia” Philharmonic – Craiova, in collaboration with Craiova City Hall and FUNDAȚIA CULTURALĂ PRO ARTE, the competition established an international artistic platform dedicated to young pianists, classical music excellence, and the legacy of Dinu Lipatti.
The involvement of its partners helped shape the First Edition as a cultural project rooted in artistic ambition, institutional collaboration, and the promotion of musical talent.
Organizers
PRIMARIA CRAIOVA - CRAIOVA CITY HALL
FILARMONICA OLTENIA CRAIOVA
FUNDAȚIA CULTURALĂ “PRO ARTE”
Sponsors
Media
