The Czech pianist Lukáš Vondrácek, whose performance of the Rachmaninov Third Concerto in the finals brought Queen Mathilde to tears, has won this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition.
The winner of the Queen Elisabeth is awarded €25,000 and is booked for an extensive series of concerts.
Vondrácek made a strong impression with the stormy and technically demanding Rachmaninov. As the piece approached its climax, a VRT cameraman caught a glimpse of Queen Mathilde in the royal box with tears running down her face.
Second and third places were taken by two Americans: Henry Kramer and Alexander Beyer, respectively. They will also take part in a tour of concerts by laureates.