Alexis Gregory Vendome Piano Prize Announces 2024 Winner

26-year-old Robert Bily won this year's prize, as announced at the Mannes School of Music at The New School’s College of Performing Arts

The 2024 Alexis Gregory Vendome Prize, in partnership with the Mannes School of Music, has recently come to a close.

As the winner, Robert Bily of the Czech Republic will receive $30,000 and give several performances throughout the United States and Europe. His final round recital included works by Mozart, Albeniz, De Falla, Debussy, and Dutilleux.

“I am very honored to have won the Vendome Prize,” said Robert Bily. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and passion I have for music. I look forward to continuing my musical journey and inspiring others through the power of music.”

Bily competed against Anthony Ratinov (USA) and Ido Zeev (Israel), who each won $5,000 as finalists.

Two Vendome Virtuoso awards of $2,000 each were given to the highest-ranked semi-finalists not admitted to the final round: Roman Fediurko (Ukraine) and Dmitry Yudin (Russia).

The 2024 jury members included Gordon Back (Chairman), Giuseppe Albanese, Christopher Elton, Charlotte Lee, Cristian Lupeş, and Vendome Artistic Director, Matei Varga.

"I am thrilled to have found one of our strongest winners ever in Robert Bily!” said Matei Varga, Vendome Artistic Director. “Ever since I first heard him a few years ago, I recognized an exceptionally mature and interesting young artist. I hope this will open new paths of success for him. I am deeply grateful to the Alexis Gregory Foundation and the Mannes School of Music for making this competition possible. Searching for - and recognizing - outstanding talent is a vital pursuit in our world today.”

Created by the late art historian and collector Alexis Gregory, the first Vendome Prize took place at the UNESCO Palace in Paris in November 2000. Over the next 23 years, Vendome established successful partnerships with the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon (2003 - 2009) and The Verbier Festival in Switzerland (2014 - 2019). The most recent competition (2022) took place in New York City at the Morgan Library & Museum. Now, the prize will be managed, hosted, and presented in partnership with Mannes School of Music.