Hibiki Nishiyama wins 50th Pitina Piano Competition Grand Prix

Hibiki Nishiyama has been named the Grand Prix winner of the 50th Pitina Piano Competition Special Class 2026. The final round of the prestigious competition, organized by the Pianist Association of Japan, took place on August 21, 2026, at Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

Nishiyama, a 24-year-old student at Toho Gakuen School of Music who graduated from the University of Tokyo, performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor during the final. He also received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award and the Steinway Award.

The competition, which attracts approximately 30,000 participants annually, saw 122 entrants for the Special Class. The four finalists performed with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Gen Ota. Other award recipients included Yuto Yamazaki (Silver Prize), Sogo Sawada (Bronze Prize and Audience Award), and Yuno Mitsui (Selection Prize).