Pianist Kim Kang-tae wins 3rd prize at Liszt Piano Competition Utrecht

Pianist Kim Kang-tae / Courtesy of Kumho Cultural Foundation

Pianist Kim Kang-tae, 29, has won third prize at the prestigious Liszt Piano Competition Utrecht in the Netherlands, the Kumho Culture Foundation (KCF) said Sunday.

Kim performed Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in the final round, finishing behind Russia’s Alexander Kashpurin, who took first prize, and the U.K.’s Thomas Kelly, who placed second.

His awards include 8,000 euros, or approximately 14 million won, professional coaching, a customized website, recording opportunities and recital engagements at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as well as in Norway, Italy, Hungary and Belgium.

Launched in 1986, the competition is held every three years and is open to pianists between the ages of 19 and 29. Other Korean laureates include Minsoo Hong, who won second prize in 2017, and Park Yeon-min, who also took second in 2022.

Born in 1997, Kim debuted through KCF’s young artists program. His previous accolades include second prize at the 2018 Takamatsu International Piano Competition, first prize at the 2017 Jirisan International Music Festival Competition and first prize at the 2016 Beijing International Music Festival & Academy Competition.

After graduating from Seoul National University, Kim completed his master’s degree at the Berlin University of the Arts and is currently pursuing the Konzertexamen, a postgraduate conservatory degree, at the Munster University of Music.