The 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is officially underway, following the incredible success of its 2022 edition, which captivated an audience of 60 million viewers across 177 countries. That year’s competition saw South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim, Russian pianist Anna Geniushene, and Ukrainian pianist Dmytro Choni claim top honors, with all three going on to extensive international tours and highly praised performances.
For the 2025 competition, 340 pianists from 45 countries applied to compete. The largest number of applicants hail from China, the United States, South Korea, and Italy. Out of this diverse pool, 77 talented pianists were selected to participate in live screening auditions held from March 16–22 at PepsiCo Recital Hall in Fort Worth, Texas. The results will be revealed on April 9, announcing the 30 pianists who will move forward to the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds, scheduled for May 21–24. The free livestreaming of the competition will begin at that time, available on the Cliburn website, YouTube channel, and Amadeus.tv in China.
The semifinal round will take place from May 28 to June 1, leading to the finals from June 3–7. The results of the competition will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 7. All events will be hosted in Fort Worth at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall and Bass Performance Hall.
Among the pianists taking part in this year’s auditions is American-born Rachel Breen, now based in Germany. Breen, a student of Sharon Mann at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has earned degrees from prestigious institutions such as The Juilliard School, Yale School of Music, and the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover. Breen, whose competition accolades include wins at the Honens International Piano Competition and the International Beethoven Piano Competition, spoke about the balancing act that preparation for competitions involves. She shared that professional musicians often juggle multiple performances and events, making effective prioritization crucial, a skill she has developed over time.
Reflecting on what it takes to perform at such high levels, Breen said, “There are numerous factors that influence the way a jury will respond to a performance.” She referenced a quote from pianist Sergei Babayan, who once remarked that, as a jury member, he often felt the urge to shout, “I stood among them but not of them!” Breen believes competition results are a mixture of the individual tastes of the jurors, and it’s crucial for musicians to remain true to their own voice, while acknowledging the diverse ways music can be interpreted.
Breen’s perspective on the personal side of competition performance reveals her realistic outlook on the demands of touring and competing. “Aside from musical questions, an important part of every performer’s life is how to deal with… jet lag, long flights, nerves, what to wear,” she said.
On the topic of repertoire, Breen explained how choosing pieces for a competition can be difficult, as there’s no opportunity to verbally explain one’s program choices to the jury. She shared that she has recently been performing a work by Renaissance composer John Bull, which is an obscure piece rarely played by pianists. Breen emphasized how she seeks feedback from trusted friends and colleagues to better understand how the music is being perceived, which helps her refine her performance.
As the competition progresses, the world awaits the next crop of talented pianists, each bringing their own unique artistry and musical voice to this prestigious global stage.
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