Warner Classics has today released a recording of Alim Beisembayev's prize-winning performances in The Leeds International Piano Competition.

Beisembayev, a 23-year-old Kazakhstani pianist, won First Prize at the 20th edition of the Leeds International Piano Competition, which concluded on September 18. His prize package included management by Askonas Holt, a £25,000 cash prize and a European tour organised with partners Steinway & Sons as well as recording contract with Warner Classics.

The selection of performances, recorded live during the competition at Leeds Town Hall and featuring music by Scarlatti, Ligeti and Ravel, is available on digital platforms from today and titled, appropriately enough, ‘The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 – Gold Medal Winner’.

Imogen Cooper, Chair of the Jury, said of Beisembayev:  ‘I was particularly impressed with the Ligeti studies he played in the Semi-Finals. They are some of the hardest ones out there and he played without any scores at all, it was breath-taking. I think he’s a big star for the future and I’m very glad that he’s landed the First Prize.’

The Leeds competition has been widely followed since its role in the early careers of such iconic artists as Murray Perahia (winner 1972) and Radu Lupu (1969). More recent winners include, in 2012, Federico Colli, whose recent recordings of Scarlatti Sonatas and the Bach/Busoni Chaconne (available on Chandos) were well received in Gramophone's pages, and Sunwook Kim (2006), whose recording of Beethoven's last three piano sonatas in a former Leipzig power station during lockdown was released as a film this summer by Accentus.

You can listen to Alim Beisembayev's EP via Apple Music below.