Results of the 2nd Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition

February 10 2026

On February 8th, the closing ceremony of the 2nd Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition took place. In the Concert Hall of the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, the laureates in both age categories were announced, followed by an award ceremony and a concert of the winners. In 2026, 155 young pianists from Russia, China, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Serbia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Belarus submitted applications. 57 contestants were admitted to the in-person round: 27 pianists in the Junior category (ages 12 to 17) and 30 musicians in the Senior category (ages 18 to 28).

Svyatoslav Golubenko, Senior Vice-Rector of the Gnesin Academy quotes:

«It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the finale of the 2nd Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition. This competition was first held in 2024, as we were preparing to celebrate the anniversary of Elena Fabianovna Gnesina, the founder of the Gnesin educational institutions. It is important that this contest is already becoming a tradition. At the Gnesin Academy, tradition is the foundation that allows the educational institution to develop and upon which our young talents grow. It is very gratifying that such a large number of musicians took part in the contest. I want to wish that this event remains deeply etched in their memory and that they always remember: a competition is a crucial stage in a creative life, but not the final one. I sincerely hope that in a year or two, we will witness the 3rd Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition together!»

Grand Prix

Wang Jiayi (Junior) (China)
Anna Karakina (Junior) (Russia)

Junior Category (ages 12 to 17) winners:

1st Degree Laureates

Gleb Kirik (Russia)
Dilya Khabibulina (Russia)
Lev Sher (Russia)

2nd Degree Laureates

Maxim Belov (Russia)
Vladimir Shvab (Russia)
Nikita Shimansky (Russia)

3rd Degree Laureates

Alexander Volokitin (Kazakhstan)
Miroslav Dyakov (Russia)
Daria Terekhina (Russia)

Senior Category (ages 18 to 28) winners:

1st Degree Laureate

Feng Caoyuan (China)

2nd Degree Laureates

Elena Kolesnikova (Russia)
Maxim Li (Russia)
Wang Chong (China)

3rd Degree Laureate

Anna Shchukina (Russia)

Professor Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Chairman of the Jury, People's Artist of Russia, Head of the Special Piano Department at the Gnesin Academy said:

«Dear friends, I congratulate everyone on the completion of this wonderful Second Competition. The results of the contest are incredible. We were pleasantly surprised by the level of performance of the young people who entered the stage of the Gnesin Concert Hall. I would like to thank all the participants, as well as their tutors and parents, who invest so much effort and resources into their education. I wish the contestants to value not only their talent, but also the time they devote to their beloved work. Our life is a moment between the past and the future, which should be happy. Creative challenges and efforts reveal one's true nature. I hope the young pianists will remember this and carry it with them across their lives. Therefore, I want to tell them: be passionate, love, create, strive, and learn all the time!»

After receiving their awards, the laureates gave a concert. The soloists shared the stage with the Symphony Orchestra of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The Head of the Orchestra and Principal Conductor is Honored Artist of Russia, People's Artist of the Republic of Dagestan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Tyva, Sergei Durygin. The first part of the concert featured chamber piano music: «It's Peaceful Here» and «Italian Polka» by Sergei Rachmaninoff (arr. Arcady Volodos), Étude No. 6, Op. 25 by Frédéric Chopin, Prelude and Fugue in D-flat major by Dmitri Shostakovich, Impromptu No. 1, Op. 72 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Étude-Tableau No. 6, Op. 33 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Five Preludes, Op. 16 by Alexander Scriabin, «Sparkles» by Moritz Moszkowski, and «Ondine» by Maurice Ravel. The event concluded with the performance of the 2nd and 3rd movements of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

You can watch the closing ceremony of the competition via the link.

The jury consists of distinguished pianists, professors, and cultural figures from Russia, France, Italy, and China. The Chairman is People's Artist of Russia, Head of the Special Piano Department at the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, Professor Vladimir Ovchinnikov. The jury also includes: Honored Artists of Russia, Dean of the Piano Faculty at the Gnesin Academy, Professor Tatiana Levitina; Professor Yuri Bogdanov; Honored Art Worker of Russia and Honored Artist of Russia Mikhail Khokhlov; Honored Art Worker of Russia, Professor Vladimir Tropp; Professor at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory, Founder and Artistic Director of the «Les Nuits Pianistiques» festival and international competition, Michel Bourdoncle (France); pianist, conductor, Artistic Director of the «Sorrento Classica» International Festival in Sorrento, Paolo Scibilia (Italy); and Dean of the Piano Faculty at the China Conservatory of Music (Beijing), Professor Yang Shu.

The competition is being held for students of children's music schools and arts schools, students and graduates of music colleges and higher education institutions, as well as graduates of professional cultural educational institutions. Its aim is to support young musicians. The first Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition was held in 2024 and was dedicated to the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the outstanding pianist and teacher Elena Fabianovna Gnessina.

The founders and organizers of the 2nd Moscow International Gnesin Piano Competition are the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music and the Friedrich Lips Foundation, with the support of a grant from the Mayor of Moscow.

Photo by Dmitry Sementsov