The 22nd edition was the most popular in history, with 184 participants registered from 36 countries

The Iturbi Prize, organised by the Provincial Council of Valencia, closed this year’s competition (also known as the Valencia Piano Competition) at a gala held at the Teatro Principal on Saturday. The 22nd edition was notable not only as being the most popular ever (184 participants registered from 36 countries) in the history of this biennial musical event that began in 1981, but also for the high artistic level demonstrated by the contestants, according to those responsible for the organisation: Gloria Tello, Provincial Councillor Responsible for the Iturbi Prize, Councillor for Culture at Valencia City Council and President of Palau de la Música; Joaquín Achúcarro, Artistic Director; Ana Guijarro, Coordinator; and Josep Vidal, Head of the Cultural Department of Valencia Provincial Council.

The jury agreed to award the first prize to the Italian pianist Elia Cecino and the second and third prizes to the Americans Anthony Ratinov and Rachel Breen. The decision was based on an assessment of the performance of each candidate throughout the competition, in which they performed in two recitals and two concerts with the Orchestra of Valencia, conducted by Álvaro Albiach. Cecino received €30,000 as the winner of the competition and will record an album on the IBS Classical label; Ratinov received €20,000 for second prize; and Breen €10,000 for third prize. All three performers will go on a concert tour. The three finalists who did not reach the Grand Final: Sergey Belyavsky and Anastasia Vorotnaya (Russia) and Djordje Radevski (Serbia), received €5,000, among other awards. The gala, hosted by Laura Grande and Martín Llade, was attended by representatives from the worlds of culture and politics.