Prizewinners Announced at Valencia's Iturbi International Piano Competition for 2023

Italian pianist Elia Cecino won First Prize of €30,000 plus a recording and a concert tour

The Italian pianist Elia Cecino has been named as the winner of Valencia's Iturbi International Piano Competition for 2023. He will receive a cash prize of €30,000 (awarded by the Diputació de València), as well as a CD recording with IBS Classical and a concert tour.

Cecino also received awards for the best interpretation of a work by Chopin and and the best performance of a Beethoven concerto.

Born in Italy in 2001, Cecino graduated summa cum laude from Cesena Conservatory at the age of 17. He was the winner of the 26th Premio Venezia, a competition for graduates of Italian conservatories, and recently received his master's degree from the Accademia del Ridotto di Stradella, where he studied with Andrzej Jasinski.

Iturbi's second prize went to the American pianist Anthony Ratinov, who wins €20,000 and a concert tour — while third prize was given to another American, Rachel Breen, who wins €10,000 and a concert tour.

The jury was comprised of Joaquín Achúcarro (chair), Catherine d'Argoubet, Edmon Colomer, Ana Guijarro, Paolo Pinamonti, Jorge Luis Prats, Didier Schnorhk, and Josu de Solaun.

"I think Valencia can feel satisfied with the result of the Iturbi Award: 184 applications, which thanks to the tremendous work of Ana Guijarro, Carles Marín and Ángel Sanzo was reduced to the contestants who have played at the Teatro Principal since the 31st," said Joaquín Achúcarro, the president of the jury.

"The jury has had to work hard and deliberate after hearing each candidate in their four performances. We have awarded three prizes leaving out possible great pianists. Life and career is quite long, I can confirm it, and the future will tell if we have succeeded."