The Honens International Piano Competition dates back to its inaugural competition in 1992, thanks to the generosity of Calgarian Esther Honens, who founded the now internationally recognized competition with a $5 million donation. Since then, the competition has taken place every three years.
This year, it will run from October 15 to 24 at venues across the city, bringing 10 exceptional young pianists to Calgary to compete for $100,000 and a three-year artistic development and career accelerator program — one of the most comprehensive awards of its kind worldwide. The event also hosts an international roster of distinguished jurors, guest artists and collaborators, making Calgary the centre of the piano world for two weeks.
Community spirit
The Honens International Piano Competition brings together 10 artists from eight different countries, drawing audiences and media from around the world. The competition is livestreamed worldwide with viewers tuning in from across the globe. The Honens International Piano Competition puts Calgary on the map as an internationally recognized city for elite-level music.
“What makes this city so special is how it embraces the world with open arms, and the competition mirrors that spirit. Calgarians and visitors to the city rally behind these young pianists — not only applauding their virtuosity, but also engaging with them as people, as collaborators and as storytellers,” says Amanda Smith, president and CEO of Esther Honens. “This sense of belonging is part of what makes Honens unique: it’s not just about discovering the next great pianist, it’s about welcoming them into a community that values connection, creativity and the power of music to bring people together.”
Unique talent
While the competition demands an elite level of musical talent and discipline, it looks at all factors that make a great artist.
“Our competition is built on the philosophy of discovering the next generation of Complete Artists — pianists who combine exceptional technical mastery with a distinctive artistic voice, a passion for collaboration and the ability to connect with audiences from every walk of life,” explains Smith. “We’re not only looking for dazzling virtuosity, but for musicians who understand their role in today’s cultural and social landscape — artists who can communicate meaningfully on stage and off, inspire curiosity and enrich the communities they serve.”
During the competition, pianists are offered a chance to share their unique artistry through self-curated recitals, interview rounds and collaboration with other artists. To showcase an understanding of how music can uplift voices and communities, every competitor will perform one work by an underrepresented composer as well as a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
“This not only gives our pianists the chance to perform works by equity-deserving voices and living composers but also ensures our communities experience music that speaks directly to today’s world. It’s this balance — between tradition and innovation, excellence and accessibility — that makes Honens unlike any other competition,” says Smith.
What to expect
Ten semifinalists will present their solo recitals and collaborative works from October 16 to 20, and three finalists will compete on October 23 and 24, performing chamber music with the Isidore String Quartet and concertos with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
The competition will also host free public masterclasses for an inside look at how great artistry is shaped on October 18 and 19, and a gala celebrating arts philanthropy in Calgary on October 21. New this year is The Honens Lab, a new program for Canadian pianists aged 14 to 24, offering masterclasses and seminars on performance psychology, mindfulness and the business of being an artist.
Music lovers can also check out other concerts happening during the competition, like Neurorecital at TELUS Spark, with 2018 Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze, and a two-concert evening at Contemporary Calgary: Curtain Call, with 2022 Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko, followed by Bison Noir: Música Callada, with internationally renowned British pianist Sir Stephen Hough.
To learn more about the competition, visit honens.com/2025.
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.
