Czech favourite wins Queen Elisabeth piano competition

The Czech pianist Lukáš Vondrácek, whose performance of the Rachmaninov Third Concerto in the finals brought Queen Mathilde to tears, has won this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Vondrácek (pictured) also won the Canvas-Klara and Alberto Ferro de Musiq’3 prizes, based on votes by viewers of the live broadcasts of the finals on Canvas and RTBF. “I’m very grateful for the prize, but it’s above all about the music,” he said. “These are all impressive musicians, all of whom deserve to win. Thank you to everyone, to my colleagues and to the fantastic Belgian public.”

The winner of the Queen Elisabeth is awarded €25,000 and is booked for an extensive series of concerts.

Vondrácek made a strong impression with the stormy and technically demanding Rachmaninov. As the piece approached its climax, a VRT cameraman caught a glimpse of Queen Mathilde in the royal box with tears running down her face.

Mathilde, who has taken over patronage of the competition since the death of Queen Fabiola in 2014, was back on Saturday for the results, accompanied by 14-year-old Crown Princess Elisabeth.

Second and third places were taken by two Americans: Henry Kramer and Alexander Beyer, respectively. They will also take part in a tour of concerts by laureates.

Photo courtesy Queen Elisabeth Competition