Russian pianist Alexander Panfilov has won the 2016 Jaén International Piano Competition.
The 26-year-old postgraduate secured the 20,000 euros First Prize thanks to an impressive performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto alongside the Ciudad de Granada Orchestra and Paul Mann at the Infanta Leonor Theatre on Friday 8 April.
Alexander, who is taught by Graham Scott, winner of the same competition in 1991, said: ‘It was great to compete in Jaén. A competition of this level is very tiring, but after going through the preselection and a further four rounds of playing I’m so happy and overwhelmed with the result.’
Alexander Panfilov #ganador 58 Concurso #PianoPremioJaén junto a la OCG dirigida por #PaulMann. #OCGemociona pic.twitter.com/K7IDwDc3pU — Orquesta Granada (@orquestagranada) April 9, 2016
Established in 1953 by Spanish pianist Joaquín Reyes Cabrera and architect Pablo Castillo García-Negrete, the competition is open to pianists of any nationality under the age of 32. This year a total of 74 young pianists from 22 countries entered, with three making it through to the final round.
In addition to the 20,000 euros, Alexander also won a recording contract with Naxos and two recital opportunities.
