Pavel Kolesnikov wins Honens International Piano Competition

Monday 29 October 2012

RCM pianist Pavel Kolesnikov has won the highly prestigious First Prize Laureate Award of $100,000 (Can) at the finals of the Honens International Piano Competition in Canada.

Although a relatively recent competition, it is known as one of the most prestigious and one of the most searching in terms of the requirements. Pavel was required to produce several recitals and recordings, both solo and collaborative, in order to reach the competition Final, in which he performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no 1.

Speaking to the audience at Jack Singer Concert Hall, Stephen McHolm, president and artistic director of the Honens Competition, said, "the jury’s choice of Pavel Kolesnikov - a thoughtful and inquisitive young musician - is a testament to Honens’ commitment to discover musicians with an original voice.”

In addition to his lucrative money prize Pavel, who studies with Norma Fisher at the RCM, has also been awarded a three-year artistic and career development programme. Valued at a half million Canadian dollars, this programme includes worldwide representation for three years and a recording on the Hyperion label.

Pavel’s outstanding performance of Tchaikovsky’s first Piano Concerto with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in the Competition Final can be watched on medici.tv.

Interviews with Pavel, which also counted towards his final mark, can be watched on the Honens website.  

Congratulations to Pavel on this outstanding achievement.