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Tianxu An, from Baoding, near Beijing, is a sought-after young artist, both at home in China and around the world. In June 2019, Tianxu drew international attention when he won fourth prize and a special prize for “courage and restraint” in the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition—the highest award for a Chinese pianist at that contest in 17 years. A month later, he made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center.

In this concert, 4 of 18 competitors will each perform a 40-minute recital.

The Screening Auditions determine which pianists will compete in the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. For one week in March, 77 pianists arrived in Fort Worth to perform 25-minute recitals for a public audience and members of the Screening Jury. The screening jurors—comprised of five internationally recognized artists—will then select 30 to return in May for the 2025 Cliburn Competition.

In this concert, 3 of 28 competitors will each perform a 40-minute recital, including the worldwide debut of the 2025 Cliburn commissioned work composed by Competition juror Gabriela Montero.

The Brazilian-born pianist Arnaldo Cohen, now living in the United States, has long had a reputation for astonishing his audiences with the musical authority and blistering virtuosity of his performances. He has appeared regularly as soloist with major orchestras, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His solo recitals everywhere draw enthusiastic crowds of cognoscenti. Critics, too, marvel at his mixture of musical complexity and élan.

The official artwork of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition features “Chromesthesia” by internationally renowned, Texas-based muralist DAAS; the piece was originally commissioned for the Cliburn’s first-ever mural, painted in May 2022 at 113 South Main Street in Fort Worth’s vibrant Near Southside. The mural was a lasting gift to the city of Fort Worth and a celebration of the Cliburn’s 60th Anniversary.

Curiosity, diversity, and complete dedication to the music define the work of French-Canadian cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras. His approach to music focuses on the principle that composer, performer, and audience must share the same inner motivation to achieve a moving, clear concert experience.

The Cliburn advances 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 new artists. Established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1962, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition remains the most visible expression of that mission and is, as always, committed to its original ideals of supporting and launching the careers of emerging artists, age 18–30. It shares the transformative powers of music with a wide global audience, through fully produced webcasts and by providing comprehensive career management and concert bookings to its winners.

It was an honor having you join us for the 2024 Cliburn Classic Golf and Pickleball Tournaments. We are grateful for our donors, players, spectators, and especially for our honorary chairmen, Elisabeth and Brent Hyder, and our tournament chairmen, Cameron and Huck Newberry and Megan and Perry Porterfield. Thank you for making the 2024 Cliburn Classic a Monday to remember!

2025 Cliburn Competitor Chaeyoung Park