VC LIVE | Concours Musical International de Montréal - 2024 Piano Edition

Tune in on May 16 at 7:30 PM (ET) to witness the final round of this year's piano competition

We're coming to you LIVE from Montreal, Canada, for the 2024 Concours Musical International de Montréal, Piano Edition, which is currently underway until May 16 in Montreal, Quebec. 388 pianists from a total of 38 different countries applied to take part, and just 24 young players were selected for the first round, which you can watch here.

Today, the jury announced the 6 pianists moving on to the final round:

• Elias Ackerley
• Jaeden Izik-Dzurko
• Jakub Kuszlik 
• Anthony Ratinov
• Gabriele Strata
• Derek Wang 

In 2024, the CMIM jury will comprise Zarin Mehta (chair), Dmitri Alexeev, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, Lydia Artymiw, Louise Bessette, Robert Levin, Hélène Mercier, Ronan O'Hora, and Minsoo Sohn.

On May 15–16, 2024, the finalists will perform with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal — the official orchestra of the CMIM — and led by guest conductor Xian Zhang, who will also join the jury for the final deliberations.

The competition’s First Prize involves cash awards and performance opportunities amounting to over $140,000; the Second Prize is valued at $15,000; and Third Prize is endowed with $10,000.

Special prizes include the Audience Award and the Award for Best Canadian Artist, which are both valued at $5,000. In the semifinals, Strata won the Chamber Music Award, and Izik-Dzurko was awarded the best performance of a sonata, as well as the best performance award for the compulsory Canadian work. Additionally, the Bita Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement Award went to Élisabeth Pion, and the Junior Jury Prize was awarded to Jakub Kuszlik.

"Since the creation of the Concours in 2001, this is the first time that so many candidates have expressed an interest in taking part," said Chantal Poulin, the competition's Executive Director. "Once again, this record number of entries demonstrates the growing prominence and influence of the CMIM.