Today, the results of the 11th Paderewski International Piano Competition in Poland were announced. In a shocking moment at the Laureates’ Concert, Russian pianist Sergey Belvaysky announced that he cannot accept the result of the competition and therefore could not perform at the concert. “Dear friends, I’m very sorry that I have to open my mouth and speak.” Says Belvaysky, “but I cannot accept and approve the result of the competition, and I cannot accept this ‘Honorable Mention’ prize, and I don’t feel that I’m in the right place to play today.” “I refuse to take this diploma, and I’m very sorry that you’ve come here for the joy of the music, but that’s what I had to do. I’m sorry.” Belvaysky left what looks to be his prize certificate on the piano after his speech, which seemed to confuse the next pianist, Saetbyeol Kim, as she was rushed onto the stage earlier than expected.
The official results are as follow:
1st prize €30,000 – Philipp Lynov (Russia)
2nd prize €15,000 – Kamil Pacholec (Poland)
3rd prize €7,000 – Yasuko Furumi(Japan)
Honorary Mention €2,500 – Sergey Belyavsky (Russia)
Honorary mention €2,500 – Saetbyeol Kim (South Korea)
Competition Jury:
Piotr Paleczny, Poland – Chairman of the Jury, Artistic Director of the Competition
Lilian Barretto, Brazil
Manana Doijashvili, Georgia
Janina Fialkowska, Canada
Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Russia
Zbigniew Raubo, Poland
Waldemar Wojtal, Poland
Ying Wu, China
Yukio Yokoyama, Japan
