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Performance opportunities are vital for any young musician, and this award is designed to
provide just that. The winner of the Alexandra Dariescu Award, in partnership with Radio
Romania and Music in Lyddington, will receive a £3000 cash prize, a concerto performance with
the Romanian Radio Orchestra in Bucharest, broadcast on national radio, as well as a solo
evening recital at Music in Lyddington. I hope this award will serve as a great incentive for
competitors and audiences to explore a side of musical history that has been neglected and to
uncover some fantastic music that deserves to be heard.

Among the top global music competitions, The Leeds is a pioneer in championing women
composers, featuring Clara Wieck-Schumann in the finals, and Unsuk Chin, Sofia Gubaidulina,
Kate Whitley, Amy Beach and Fanny Mendelssohn in the Semi-finals, and inspiring pianists to
present more women and diverse composers in the earlier rounds. By highlighting these
composers’ work, we are not only honouring their legacy but also paving the way for future
generations for a more inclusive society.

The classical music world has made significant strides in recent years to address the gender
imbalance, but there is still much work to be done. It is up to each and every one of us to ensure
that, unlike my younger self, children today can learn from an early age about the great
musicians of the past and present, regardless of their background and gender. This will inspire
them to work hard, never give up, and continue to break down the unnecessary barriers that we,
all too often, still put around ourselves today.

• The Leeds International Piano Competition takes place from 11 to 21 September –
tickets are available on leedspiano.com. Broadcasts of the Competition will also be
available on BBC Radio 3, BBC TV and medici.tv.