The 17th International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna has concluded with American pianist Derek Hartman securing first prize. Hosted at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the prestigious event culminated in the Grand Final held at the iconic Golden Hall of the Musikverein.
Hartman, who emerged as the top laureate, received a €30,000 cash prize and a Bösendorfer Grand Piano Model 214 VC.
The second prize, totaling €12,000, was jointly awarded to pianists Martin Nöbauer and Jonas Stark for their exceptional performances.
The 2025 competition jury was chaired by Jan Jiracek von Arnim and included esteemed pianists and educators HieYon Choi, Ingrid Fliter, Sofya Gulyak, Robert Levin, Hélène Mercier, Ronan O’Hora, Antti Siirala, and Jasminka Stančul.
“We warmly congratulate Derek Hartman on winning the title,” the organizers stated. “Martin Nöbauer and Jonas Stark also delivered outstanding performances and share second place in the competition.”
The organizers extended gratitude to their partners and sponsors, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conductor Petr Popelka, the Musikverein Vienna, and the audience, all of whom contributed to the event’s success. They also announced the next edition of the competition will be held in 2029.
Hartman, a former student of Boris Slutsky and James Giles, is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Yale School of Music. His accolades include First Prize in the Professional Concert Artist category of the Chicago International Music Competition and Third Prize at the Washington International Piano Competition. He also serves as a Lecturer of Piano at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.
