Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition

Wednesday 22 October 2014

RCM pianist Luka Okrostsvaridze has won First Prize in the Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition. 

The annual Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition has been taking place since 1996, with contestants from all the London conservatoires competing in three recital rounds. Luka’s successful performance in the final at Wigmore Hall on 21 October included works by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov and Bach, and was broadcast live on YouTube. His prize includes a solo recital at the Fazioli Auditorium in Sacile, Italy, and at Wigmore Hall, where his performance will be recorded for CD.

Of his win, Luka said: ‘It was a great honour and responsibility to represent the Royal College of Music in the 2014 Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition, and to perform in the legendary Wigmore Hall.  

I would like to thank all my friends, the RCM, Head of Keyboard Vanessa Latarche and the audience who came to the concert to support us. Many thanks also to Jaques Samuel Pianos with Fazioli for this great opportunity and to my professor Norma Fisher who always believes in me.’

Luka performed and was interviewed on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune on Wednesday 22 October. You can listen again on iPlayer.