Élisabeth Pion has been named the winner of the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition in Calgary, Canada. As Honens Gold Laureate, the 30-year-old Canadian pianist receives CAD $100,000 and a three-year 'artistic development and career accelerator' programme.
Pion triumphed in a two-part final, performing César Franck's Piano Quintet, Op. 14 with the Isidore String Quartet in the chamber round, and Sergey Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Elias Grandy in the concerto round.
Also competing for the grand prize were Carter Johnson (29, from Canada) and Anastasia Vorotnaya (30, from Russia), who respectively receive the Silver and Bronze awards, worth CAD $40,000 and $20,000.
Who is Élisabeth Pion?
Élisabeth Pion began playing the piano at age five in 'a household filled with music'. After studying in Montréal, she moved to London for advanced training.
A keen advocate of Tai Chi, she has also embraced the art of improvisation, which has led to her crafting her own cadenzas and compositions.
Honens International Piano Competition 2025: contestants and jury
This year, 51 international pianists were chosen from 149 entries to compete in the Honens live rounds. From this pool, ten competitors were chosen to progress to the semi-finals, with just three going on to compete in the finals.
Serving on the semifinals and finals jury were: Philippe Bianconi (Silver Medallist at the Van Cliburn International Competition in 1985); Jenny Bilfield (president & CEO of Washington Performing Arts); Janina Fialkowska (Canadian concert pianist with almost 50 years of performing experience); Leila Getz (founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Recital Society); Anne-Marie McDermott (American concert pianist and artistic director of the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival); Roberto Plano (Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and winner of the 2001 Cleveland International Piano Competition); and Awadagin Pratt (winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition).
About the Honens International Piano Competition
The triennial Honens International Piano Competition was founded in 1991, when Esther Honens gave $5m to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Honens is dedicated to finding pianists who embody the philosophy of 'the complete artist' – combining 'technical mastery with artistic innovation' and inspiring 'deep cultural and social awareness'.
Beyond its cash awards, the competition aims to prepare its laureates for professional careers in music, through bespoke three-year artistic and career development programmes. Contestants compete in quarter finals, semi finals and finals, involving self-programmed recitals, chamber music, concertos, a newly-commissioned work and interviews.