For aspiring pianists, Fort Worth represents one of the biggest stages in the world. The quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition returns to town from May 21 through June 7, whittling down these talented emerging artists and showcasing their talent around the globe. The winner will be announced at 7 pm on June 7.
The first Van Cliburn Competition was held in Fort Worth in 1962. It was named after Fort Worth native Van Cliburn, who shocked the world with his win at the First Tchaikovsky Competition, which was held in Moscow in 1958, during the height of the Cold War.
The last competition, which was due to occur in 2021, was postponed a full year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and was awarded instead in 2022, with Yunchan Lim becoming the youngest Gold Medalist in the history of The Cliburn at age 18.
The 30 Van Cliburn Contestants Will Descend Upon Fort Worth Soon
Just like the recent biennial McCammon Voice Competition that shapes the careers of rising opera stars, the Van Cliburn Competition has launched countless careers during its first 63 years.
“Fourteen of the world’s experts worked with dedication over the last few months to thoughtfully consider each of our 340 applicants and eventually narrow the field down to the 30 competitors who will return to Fort Worth in May,” says Jacques Marquis, Cliburn president and CEO, in a release.
“And they did a wonderful job,” he says. “As usual, we were impressed with the high level of playing, craft, engagement, enthusiasm, and commitment of each of these pianists. The Cliburn is honored to provide an international platform for them to express their musical vision and to help usher them into the next steps of their professional journeys.”
The 30 pianists range in age from 18 to 30, coming from 17 different countries and regions around the globe. This year’s largest representation comes from China, fielding seven pianists, with four each from both America and Russia. Competitors are housed in the local homes of Cliburn supporters.
How To Take Part in the Van Cliburn Competition
The preliminary round will be held at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU (2900 W Lowden Street), with forty-minute recitals on May 21, 22, and 23 at 10 am, 2:30 pm, and 7:30 pm. The announcement of the quarterfinalists will take place following the last performance. Then the 18 quarterfinalists will compete on May 24 and 25 with forty-minute recitals at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, followed by recitals at 10 am, 2:30 pm, and 7:30 pm on Sunday, after which the semi-finalists will be announced.
The Van Cliburn Competition then moves to Bass Performance Hall from May 28 through June 1, where the 12 competitors will perform 60-minute recitals and a Mozart concerto, leading to the announcement of the finalists on Sunday, June 1. Finally, from May 3 through 7, those 6 competitors will perform two concertos (one free choice; one from a list) accompanied by Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The winner will be announced June 7, 2025. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased here.
In case you cannot attend in person, not to worry. The entire 2025 Cliburn Competition (May 21–June 7) will be broadcast live and available for on-demand viewing on multiple channels, including at Cliburn.org and on the Cliburn’s YouTube channel. The multi-camera broadcast will capture every angle of each stunning performance over the incredible 18 days.
Following the big event, The Cliburn Sessions will add opportunities for piano lovers to enjoy concerts at Tannahill’s Music Hall, as well as Cliburn at the Kimbell concerts for the 2025-2026 season, which will be announced after May 15.
The ears of piano-lovers will lean toward Fort Worth soon, as it becomes the epicenter of the piano world. The world is listening.