©Photo: Irene Kim

Lukáš Vondrácek looks back on his 2016 Competition experience

1/6/2021

Back in May 2016, Lukáš Vondrácek won the Queen Elisabeth Competition for Piano after a show-stopping performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3. Everyone remembers the incredible atmosphere during his performance, the audience listening with bated breath, and then bouncing up for a thunderous standing ovation. We hear from Lukás five years on from this life-changing victory.

“My Queen Elisabeth Competition experience was intense and unforgettable. Taking part in such a legendary contest was truly special and walking away with the First Prize was a dream come true. I loved the warmth and hospitality of the Belgian people and drew lots of energy and inspiration from the Brussels audience.”
(Lukáš Vondrácek)

“I felt happy but also emotionally spent. I was very proud to be the first Czech to ever win such a major piano competition and greatly honoured to be among the legendary winners, many of whom were my idols growing up and dreaming of becoming an artist. I also knew that perfecting my craft, searching for new ways of expression, creating beauty, and immersing oneself in the arts is a lifelong process and the journey is only getting started.”
(Lukáš Vondrácek)

On 17 July, Lukas reconnects with Marin Alsop, the conductor of his final performance at the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition. They will perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the famous Ravinia Festival.

Then he goes on to the Hollywodd Bowl in Los Angeles for his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra on 22 July.

In October, he returns to the USA for another concert with Marin Alsop, this time with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Link to the full article here

Lukáš Vondrácek looks back on his 2016 Competition experience

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Lukáš Vondráček debuts with the London symphony orchestra