The Leeds International Piano Competition is set to return with several significant changes under the artistic direction of pianist and composer Stephen Hough. Among the key alterations are an increase in the upper age limit for competitors from 30 to 35 and the introduction of a more flexible performance format that allows finalists to select any concerto they wish to present.

Founded in 1963, the triennial contest has long been a prestigious platform for emerging pianists. This year, the main prize remains at £50,000. Hough emphasized that raising the age limit aims to alleviate pressure on young performers, encouraging them to develop their artistry without feeling rushed. “There’s not a rush about this. Don’t feel that, you know, you have to compete suddenly before you get too old. You have time,” he said.

Hough, who grew up in Wirral and trained at the Royal Northern College of Music, will lead a jury that includes pianists Yeol Eum Son and Kathryn Stott as well as composer Errollyn Wallen. The jury’s role is to support rather than challenge participants, with Hough expressing a desire to move away from the test-like atmosphere common in competitions. “At Leeds, maybe there’s something slightly different we can do here, and find a way to give younger musicians a platform to show us who they are,” he explained.

A major shift in the competition format involves the concerti finalists will perform with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its principal Domingo Hindoyan. Instead of choosing from a predetermined repertoire, each finalist will propose three works they'd be comfortable performing, and the jury, including Hindoyan and Hough, will select the concerto for their final appearance.

The competition has a history of producing renowned winners such as Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia, though only two women—Sofya Gulyak in 2009 and Anna Tsybuleva in 2015—have taken top honours. Since 2024, blind listening has been implemented in the initial round to counteract unconscious bias and broaden stylistic diversity.

Broadcast coverage has also grown in recent years, with BBC Radio 3 airing the semi-finals and finals. Hough noted that Leeds continues to prize imagination, poetry, and deep musical insight, aiming ultimately to find a performer who delivers transformative performances. “We just want to find someone who changes our lives during their performance,” he said.