Dutch pianist Nikola Meeuwsen makes history at the Queen Elisabeth Competition; Belgian Valère Burnon claims third place
On Saturday evening, Nikola Meeuwsen from the Netherlands won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition for piano at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. He is the first Dutch pianist to ever take the top prize. Second place went to Japanese pianist Wataru Hisasue, while Belgian pianist Valère Burnon claimed third place.
“It feels unreal, like a dream,” Meeuwsen told VRT Canvas after the announcement. “I’m speechless.” The 23-year-old performed Sergei Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto last Wednesday. “It felt like running a marathon,” he told the Dutch newspaper Trouw. 'You give it your all every time. It’s an overwhelming experience, but overall I’m very happy. Just reaching the final of such an iconic competition is an incredible honour.”
I didn’t break any records, but I’m still very satisfied
On Tuesday, Valère Burnon delivered a powerful performance, interpreting the compulsory piece by Kris Defoort as well as Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto. “Of course I’m happy,” Burnon told RTBF after the results were announced. "Unfortunately, I didn’t break any records, but I’m still very satisfied."
Best Belgian result
No Belgian pianist had reached the final of the renowned competition since 2007. According to VRT NWS, Burnon achieved the best result for a Belgian pianist since Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden came third in 1964.
Strongest Belgian results at the Queen Elisabeth Competition:
Yossif Ivanov – violin – 2005: 2nd prize Lorenzo Gatto – violin – 2009: 2nd prize Thomas Blondelle – voice – 2011: 2nd prize Jodie Devos – voice – 2014: 2nd prize Shadi Torbey – voice – 2004: 3rd prize Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden – piano – 1964: 3rd prize Johan Schmidt – piano – 1987: 4th prize Frans Brouw – piano – 1952: 4th prize André De Groote – piano – 1968: 5th prize Edith Volckaert – violin – 1971: 5th prize Robert Groslot – piano – 1978: 6th prize Lionel Lhote – voice – 2004: 6th prize Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort – piano – 2007: 6th prize
Source: VRT NWS |
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This year's final saw seven male and five female pianists compete. Japan had the most finalists, with four. Besides Belgium, France had three finalists, while the Netherlands, the United States, China and Russia each had one.
More performances
The unranked finalists will perform again at the Flagey concert hall in Brussels on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June. On Monday 9 June, pianists Hinnewinkel, Kamei and Tanin will perform with the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, conducted by Martijn Dendievel, at the Palais des Beaux-Arts. This concert will also be performed in Liège on Wednesday 11 June and in Bruges on Saturday 14 June.
The closing gala, featuring Meeuwsen, Hisasue and Burnon, will take place in Brussels on Wednesday 11 June, this time with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marc Albrecht. This concert will also be performed in Bruges on Saturday 7 June, in Ghent on Sunday 8 June, in Hasselt on Monday 9 June and in Antwerp on Tuesday 10 June. Burnon will also perform at the Musiq3 Festival in Flagey on Friday 27 June.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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