By James Brewer
Young pianists from around the world have proven their potential in a superb winners’ concert in London.
The London Youth Piano Competition (Lypco), which is about to enter its 10th year, is drawing on profuse reservoirs of talent in music schools and other forums the world over.
Its international appeal was underlined by the eager participation of competitors from the USA, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK.
Climax of Lypco 2026 was an exciting new feature, a winners’ concert on September 5 live in the historic church St Mary le Strand in the heart of the City, with on the same occasion the presentation ceremony of awards.
In the run-up to the live event, earlier rounds were online based on good-quality video recordings by competitors aged from under eight years, to 29 years. At the London concert, category winners in person were welcomed from seven countries, namely South Korea, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany and the UK.
It was the moment, said Dr Sally Wave, the competition’s founder and musical director and one of its adjudicators, for both younger and more experienced pianists to display their talents in front of a global audience, thanks to the medium of technology.
The audience of family and friends heard confident, sparkling accounts on the church’s excellent Steinway of graded pieces from textbooks and ‘free choice’ selections.
From the tenderest ages onward, listeners were treated to fresh, joyful musical insight into familiar and lesser-known items. Exuberant energy was on hand, but mature poise and calm were presented when needed, making the whole an attractive musical quilt of textures and narrative power.
Dexterously they handled a repertoire which included towering figures such as JS Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky as well as some pieces by jazz and contemporary composers. Special cash prizes and crystal awards were presented for best performance of a Sonatina and Sonata by Beethoven. Two cash prizes and a crystal award were presented for the best performance of an opus by 2026 featured composer Sally Wave.
The young pianists gladly grasped the opportunity and the adjudicators – who continue to build their own international careers with engagements in a range of countries and continents (recently Poom Prommachart travelled to Denmark and Yuki Negishi and Sally Wave have scheduled concerts in the USA) were thrilled with the successful outcome.
Yuki Negishi said: “I am always delighted to be asked to adjudicate for Lypco, and this year was no exception in its professionalism and standard.” An adjudicator, educator and researcher, Yuki Negishi captivates audiences wherever she performs around the world. In the UK alone, she has performed in over 500 concerts including in many of the most important halls and festivals.
She continued: “ As we heard in the winners’ concert which was held after a break of a few years, the recording aspect and the live aspect combined made it even more interesting and fascinating.
“The hard work and dedication of the winners, their teachers and parents were evident in abundance. There were other performances that didn’t make the Gold or Platinum Awards, but which showed tremendous potential. I personally enjoy the Free Choice categories, as they show the creativity in the programming as well. Congratulations to all, and a special mention to Dr Sally Wave!!”
Fellow adjudicator and Steinway Artist Poom Prommachart is one of Southeast Asia’s foremost pianists. His career accolades include best solo Performance – Instrumental at the 2023 and 2025 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. The Bangkok-born musician is head of Junior Music at the School of Young Talents and a member of Piano Faculty at the School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore.
He said of Lypco 2026: “My overall impression of the standard this year was very positive. I was particularly happy to hear pianists from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, presenting such interesting and varied repertoires. What stood out to me was not simply their technical ability, but the fact that many of the young pianists were beginning to develop a distinctive musical voice and individual personality. For young musicians, I believe this is one of the most important aspects of a competition: it should encourage them not only to play accurately and successfully, but also to communicate, to take ownership of the music, and to discover something of their own artistic identity.
“For me, all the categories had something unique to offer. Each group reflected different stages of musical and personal development, and it was fascinating to see the individuality of the participants emerging in different ways. A good competition should celebrate this diversity rather than make every young pianist feel that there is only one definition of excellence. In that sense, I feel Lypco provides a particularly valuable environment for young musicians to perform, listen to one another, gain experience, and be inspired by their peers.
“I also think that the experience of participating in an international competition can be meaningful beyond the results themselves. For a young pianist, travelling to another country, meeting musicians from different cultures, performing for a new audience, and receiving the encouragement and recognition of an international community can become an important part of their musical journey. These experiences can build confidence, broaden their perspective, and sometimes remain with them for many years.
He added: “I have a personal connection to this question, as I come from Asia and have also previously lived and worked in the UK. I have experienced the value of moving between different musical cultures, and I believe there is a great deal that young Asian pianists can gain from experiencing competitions and musical environments in Europe. Equally, I believe European musicians and institutions can benefit from creating stronger connections with the very active and growing young musical communities across Asia.
“I would also like to acknowledge Sally’s vision and dedication. Building a competition that is able to bring together young pianists from different backgrounds, while creating an environment in which they can feel encouraged and valued, requires a great deal of commitment. The Winners’ Concert is the visible result, but behind it is a considerable amount of work, care, and belief in the next generation of young musicians. I am very happy to support Sally and Lypco and to see the competition continuing to develop from year to year.”
In a very philosophical note during her introductory remarks, Dr Sally Wave reasoned: “I would like to point out something that is so important to me ,and that is – how vital it is for all of us to keep the art of music alive. Let’s compare for a moment the difference between music and fine art. Imagine what we would do if we should like to see a picture by Van Gogh – we would go to a gallery and look at what the maestro has painted. That’s all there is to it.
“But if we should like to hear a Sonata by Beethoven, it is not enough to take the scores and look at them, right? We should sit down and play the piece or wait for someone else to do so. But what if nobody were to do that? If everyone stops painting, we will still have the painting by Van Gogh. But if everyone stops playing the piano, the music will no longer exist.
“That’s why I am happy today to celebrate first… Her Majesty The Music… with all of you, you who are the keepers of her flame.”
After co-founding Wimbledon International Piano Competition, Dr Wave expanded and redesigned the concept as Lypco, an online event with new formats and categories.
Opening the latest event, Niya Valentinova, a one-time student of Dr Sally Wave, said: “We are fortunate to hold this concert and presentation of medals in the magnificent St Mary le Strand, known as ‘The Jewel in the Strand’ and which one contemporary historian has described as ‘the finest eighteenth-century church in London.’ The church is on the route of processions from Westminster and Buckingham Palace to the City of London and thus seen by millions of visitors to the UK every year.”
Niya Valentinova extended a special thank you to Ms Karen Little, Parish Administrator and Parish Safeguarding Officer at St Mary le Strand, who kindly gave permission to stage the concert. Ms Little plays a leading part in ensuring St Mary le Strand has a central role in the classical music life of the City of London.
Sally Wave is a London-based recitalist, educator and composer with a growing international presence. She has performed in Europe and the United States as a solo and chamber musician, and as a concerto soloist in Germany and Bulgaria.
Her reputation has been further strengthened by performances as a member of Trio Aquamarine and other ensembles in London and the US. She has expanded her portfolio of compositions for solo piano, harp, alto flute, cor anglais, duets for flute & oboe, flute & vibraphone, cello & guitar, viola & cello, violin & piano, cello & piano, trio for harp, flute & violin, woodwind quintets, etc.
She says: “I love to organise events and all the love I am giving returns to me as positive energy.”
Some 90 winners for 2026 are listed on the Winners’ Page of the Lypco website lypco.co.uk
As audience members left the church, they had the opportunity to buy CDs by Sally Wave and by Yuki Negishi; and books written by Sally Wave in the series Ellie’s Adventures. The books, also available via Amazon, are Ellie’s Adventures with Sandy Sand & The Sea Creatures:13 Fairy tales with Pieces for Piano; Paintings by my pupils: pieces for solo piano at intermediate and advanced level; Little Touches of Springtime: pieces for piano at Intermediate level; and There are always dreams to follow: pieces for piano, advanced level.
In 2027 Lypco will expand further with categories for flute and chamber music. A 2027 winners’ concert will take place at the end of August that year.
