Pianist Derek Wang, prizewinner in the 2024 Hastings International Piano Competition, returns to the UK for three concerts exploring Liszt’s Years of Pilgrimage.

The 18th Hastings International Piano Competition is on sale now.

2024 prizewinner, Derek Wang, gives an invitation-only recital in New York on 10 September with music by Beethoven, Robert & Clara Schumann, Ravel, Couperin and Charles Ives.

2022 third prizewinner Mariamna Sherling appears at this year’s South Downs Summer Music Festival in Alfriston on 18 July at 1pm.

Four of our previous prizewinners return to Hastings for a very special weekend of events at Fairlight Hall: Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu, winner of first and second prize in 2024; Mariamna Sherling, who won third prize in 2022;  and Gabrielė Sutkutė.

Our own fab four - Curtis Phill Hsu, Harmony Zhu, Mariamna Sherling and Gabrielė Sutkutė - are all spectacular pianists in their own right. This afternoon’s concert offers a tantalising glimpse of each; all four will give a short but perfectly formed recital with music ranging from Rameau and Chopin, to Granados, Ravel and Debussy.

How do you prepare a piano for performance? How are keys balanced and hammers adjusted – and what difference does this make to pianist and listener? Julian Dendy of Steinway & Sons lets us into his trade secrets.

As part of our Picnic Weekend at Fairlight Hall, we're delighted to welcome you to be a fly on the wall as Curtis Phill Hsu, Gabrielė Sutkutė, Harmony Zhu and Mariamna Sherling take part in open Masterclasses with Professors Aaron Shorr and Vanessa Latarche.