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Equal parts passion, grit, and musical ecstasy, Sybarite5 is an intoxicating cocktail of genre-breaking artistry expressed through virtuosity. See them at Cliburn Sessions at Tannahill's Music Hall.

Combining exceptional lyricism and insight with consummate technique, Alessio Bax is without a doubt “among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public” (Gramophone). He catapulted to prominence with First Prize wins at both the Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions, and is now a familiar face on five continents, not only as a recitalist and chamber musician, but also as a concerto soloist who has appeared with more than 150 orchestras, including the London, Royal, and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston, Dallas, Cincinnati, Sydney, and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, and the NHK Symphony in Japan, collaborating with such eminent conductors as Marin Alsop, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Andrew Davis, Fabio Luisi, Sir Simon Rattle, Yuri Temirkanov, and Jaap van Zweden.

2022 Competition Jury

The Cliburn announces that its 2026 Gala: Iconically American, will take place Friday, April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo Reserve. A nod to the United States' 250th birthday, the black-tie event pays homage to the classic elegance of the organization's inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn—one of the most iconic American musicians and cultural diplomats in history.

Always one of the best parties of the year, this edition will take the party a step further: Texas artists and lifelong friends Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen will take the stage to perform their signature American music.

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.

Sa Chen Jury Chair for the 2027 Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists

In the 15 years since he won Cliburn gold at the age of 19, Haochen Zhang has captivated audiences in the United States, Europe, and Asia with a unique combination of deep musical sensitivity, fearless imagination, and spectacular virtuosity.

This year’s Competition sees the launch of exclusive live recordings available in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, alongside Cliburn-curated playlists, and a live album release for each 2025 medalist, via record label Platoon.

Yevgeny Sudbin has been hailed by The Telegraph as “potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century.” As BIS Records’ only exclusive artist, all of his recordings have met with critical acclaim and are regularly featured as CD of the Month by BBC Music Magazine or Editor’s Choice by Gramophone. It was described by Gramophone as “a disc in a million,” while the International Record Review stated that his Rachmaninov recording “confirms him as one of the most important pianistic talents of our time.”

Yutong Sun, a native of Tianjin, China, is currently studying with Alexander Korsantia and Dang Thai Son at the New England Conservatory. He has gained international recognition by winning prizes at prestigious competitions, including placing in three in Spain: Santander (second), Canals (third), and Jaén (first). He returns to Fort Worth this year after competing in the 2017 Cliburn Competition.