The Franz Liszt International Piano Competition has officially concluded in Pécs, Hungary, marking the end of the prestigious event on September 21, 2026. In a unique turn for this year's proceedings, the jury opted not to award a first-prize winner, instead designating a joint second prize for the top performers.
Ildikó Rozsonits and Barbare Tataradze were named the joint second-prize winners, with each receiving €18,000. Following the top honors, Sebestyén Pellet was awarded the third prize, which carried a value of €9,000. Additionally, Calvin Abdiel received special prizes during the final awards ceremony.
The competition's prize pool also included an Audience Award valued at €1,000, alongside two special prizes worth €500 each. These awards were distributed among the finalists as the competition reached its conclusion in Pécs.
The Franz Liszt International Piano Competition remains a significant fixture for classical musicians, testing the technical and artistic mastery of participants through rigorous performance standards. This year's decision by the jury to bypass a first-place designation highlights the high level of scrutiny applied to the competition's elite tier of performers.