Warner Classics releases The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 – Gold Medal Winner, a digital-only live recording of Alim Beisembayev’s prize-winning performances
Alim Beisembayev , the 23-year-old pianist 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. He was awarded a recording contract with Warner Classics and management by Askonas Holt as part of his career-changing prize package.
A selection of Alim’s performances, featuring solo works Scarlatti, Ravel and Ligeti and recorded live during the competition at Leeds Town Hall, is out today.
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.”
Warner Classics have compiled a Leeds International Piano Competition playlist on Apple Music, which celebrates an impressive list of past competitors and winners including 2018 winner Eric Lu. Click here to listen to the playlist.
TRACKLIST – The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 – Gold Medal Winner
Domenico Scarlatti
1. Sonata in C Minor, K.22
2. Sonata in C-sharp Minor, K.247
3. Sonata in G, K.13
György Ligeti
4. Études for Piano, Book I : No.2 Cordes à Vide
5. Études for Piano, Book II: No.10 Der Zauberlehrling
6. No.13 L’Escalier du Diable
Maurice Ravel
Miroirs
7. II. Oiseaux tristes
8. III. Une barque sur l’océan
Artist:
Alim Beisembayev, piano
Rec dates and place / sound team
8-10, 12-14 September 2021, Great Hall, University of Leeds
17-18 September 2021 at Leeds Town Hall
Mike Hatch producer
Tom Lewington sound engineer
(p) 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd
© 2021 Parlophone Records Ltd