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Applications are now open for the 2027 Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists

Applications are now open for the 2027 Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists (formerly the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival)! Talented pianists aged 13-17 are encouraged to apply for the competition, which will take place June 10-19 in Dallas, Texas.

Upcoming Concerts

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Relive the 2025 Competition

Watch the incredible performances from the Competition.

2025 Cliburn Medalists

aristo sham final round mendelssohn
2025 Cliburn Competition
Aristo Sham: 2025 Cliburn MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25
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Vitaly Starikov Final Bartok
2025 Cliburn Competition
Vitaly Starikov: 2025 Cliburn BARTÓK Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major
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Evren Ozel Mozart Concerto
2025 Cliburn Competition
Evren Ozel: 2025 Cliburn MOZART Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
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Aristo Sham Quarterfinal
2025 Cliburn Competition
Aristo Sham: 2025 Cliburn Quarterfinal Recital (Beethoven Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, op. 106)
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vitaly starikov semifinal recital
2025 Cliburn Competition
Vitaly Starikov: 2025 Cliburn Semifnal Recital (Chopin, Schubert-Liszt, Prokofiev)
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Evren Ozel Semifinal Recital
2025 Cliburn Competition
Evren Ozel: 2025 Semifinal Recital (Liszt, Ravel, Beethoven)
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2025 Final Round Concertos

Aristo Sham Brahms Final
2025 Cliburn Competition
Aristo Sham: 2025 Cliburn BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 83
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Vitaly Starikov Schumann Final
2025 Cliburn Competition
Vitaly Starikov: 2025 Cliburn SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54
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Evren Ozel Beethoven Final
2025 Cliburn Competition
Evren Ozel: 2025 Cliburn BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58
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Carter Johnson Ravel Left Hand
2025 Cliburn Competition
Carter Johnson: 2025 Cliburn RAVEL Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major
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Philipp Lynov Prokofiev Final
2025 Cliburn Competition
Philipp Lynov: 2025 Cliburn PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16
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Angel Stanislav Wang Rachmaninov Final
2025 Cliburn Competition
Angel Stanislav Wang: 2025 Cliburn RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30
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aristo sham final round mendelssohn
2025 Cliburn Competition
Aristo Sham: 2025 Cliburn MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25
Watch Performance
Evren Ozel Tchaikovsky
2025 Cliburn Competition
Evren Ozel: 2025 Cliburn TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, op. 23
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Vitaly Starikov Final Bartok
2025 Cliburn Competition
Vitaly Starikov: 2025 Cliburn BARTÓK Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major
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Carter Johnson Final Prokofiev
2025 Cliburn Competition
Carter Johnson: 2025 Cliburn PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16
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Angel Stanislav Wang Beethoven
2025 Cliburn Competition
Angel Stanislav Wang: 2025 Cliburn BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58
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Philipp Lynov Final Round Liszt
2025 Cliburn Competition
Philipp Lynov: 2025 Cliburn LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major
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Classical Music for Everyone

Curated Collections

Yekwon Sunwoo: STRAUSS-GRAINGER "Ramble on the Last Love-duet" - Der Rosenkavalier Yekwon Sunwoo performs STRAUSS-GRAINGER "Ramble on the Last Love-duet" - Der Rosenkavalier at the 2022 Cliburn Competition Yunchan Lim: RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 Yunchan Lim, 2022 Cliburn Gold Medalist, plays RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop, conductor. Vadym Kholodenko: STRAVINSKY Trois mouvements de Pétrouchka Vadym Kholodenko plays STRAVINSKY Trois mouvements de Pétrouchka at the 2013 Cliburn Competition
Anna Geniushene: HAYDN Sonata in D Major, Hob XVI 42 Anna Geniushene performs HAYDN Sonata in D Major, Hob XVI 42 at the 2022 Cliburn Competition Yekwon Sunwoo: HAYDN Sonata in C Major, Hob XVI 48 Yekwon Sunwoo performs HAYDN Sonata in C Major, Hob XVI 48 at the 2017 Cliburn Competition Fei-Fei: MOZART Sonata in D Major, K. 576 Fei-Fei performs MOZART Sonata in D Major, K. 576 at the 2013 Cliburn Competition Beatrice Rana: CLEMENTI Sonata in B Minor Beatrice Rana performs CLEMENTI Sonata in B Minor at the 2013 Cliburn Competition
Alessandro Deljavan: MENDELSSOHN Variations sérieuses Alessandro Deljavan performs MENDELSSOHN Variations sérieuses at the 2013 Cliburn Competition Tomoki Sakata: MOZART Variations on a Minuet by Duport Tomoki Sakata performs MOZART Variations on a Minuet by Duport at the 2013 Cliburn Competition. Daniel Hsu: BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Handel Daniel Hsu performs BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Handel at the 2017 Cliburn Competition Yunchan Lim: BEETHOVEN Variations and Fugue in E flat Major, op. 35 (“Eroica”) Yunchan Lim performs BEETHOVEN – Variations and Fugue in E flat Major, op. 35 (“Eroica”)

Events in Fort Worth

2025 Cliburn Medalists

Latest Cliburn News

Read the latest Competition announcements, career updates from past medalists, profiles on members of the Cliburn community, annual concert and educational programming, and more.

Cliburn Internation Competition for Young Pianists
Featured

The Cliburn Announces 20-year Partnership with Southern Methodist University and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for International Competition for Young Pianists

The Cliburn is pleased to announce a 20-year partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, covering the next five editions of the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists (formerly known as the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival). The next edition of the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists takes place June 10–19, 2027, in Dallas, Texas. The competition will include an in-residence fellowship program on the campus of SMU, consisting of masterclasses, workshops, artist conversations, performance opportunities, and other scheduled activities.

Themes and Artists Announced for 2026 Cliburn Festival

The Cliburn Announces New Cliburn International Competition for Conductors

2026 Cliburn Gala, featuring Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, to be held April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo

The platform and exposure we get from this competition, and the support we get both from within the organization and audiences around the world is just incredible.

Aristo Sham 2025 Gold Medalist

The Cliburn has been a fabric of our cultural environment in Fort Worth since the 1960s, and its reach to the national and international stages is invaluable.

John Giordano Sponsor, WWG Compass

The Cliburn is in a league of its own. These are Olympic-level pianists, and everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to participate and to hear these young people perform.

Matthew Loynachan Volunteer & Host Family since 2022

For competitors, the Cliburn offers an unparalleled exposure to the international media, presenters, and industry leaders—forging relationships long before the final notes are played—and the Fort Worth audiences will applaud and encourage you as no other audience anywhere.

Jon Nakamatsu 1997 Gold Medalist & 2025 Jury Member
Aerial view of Ilya Shmukler performing in Bass Hall

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The dedication of your time and resources fulfills the Cliburn’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities for young pianists, participatory music education for public elementary school children, and access to excellent art for lovers of music.

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Our Mission To advance classical piano music throughout the world. Its international competitions, education programs, and concert series embody an enduring commitment to artistic excellence and the discovery of young artists.
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