Hennie Joubert Piano Competition

On World PIano Day, we celebrate the young artists who brought this year's Hennie Joubert National Piano Competition to its thrilling close on the fourth evening of the Piano Symposium

Hennie Joubert Trophy and Gold Medal: Hermanus Schmidt

John Roos Silver Medal: Dylan Price

Bronze Medal: Aran Singh

4th prize: Singran Emilie Yang

5th prize: Eléna Monvoisin

Special Prizes:

The prize for the Best performance of a Bach Prelude and Fugue was awarded to Dylan Price

The Joan de Villiers Prize for the best Classical Sonata was awarded to Singran Emilie Yang

The Prize for the best performance of a South African Composition was awarded to Weien Amy Luo

The Prize for the best performance of a Virtuoso Etude was awarded to Hermanus Schmidt

The Andre Serfontein Prize for the most promising competitor who did not advance to the final round was awarded to Damian Philander

Allmusic sponsored a Sheet Music prize for the best overall recital in the third round, and this was awarded to Hermanus Schmidt

The John Roos Prize for the Best Performance of a Concerto was awarded to Hermanus Schmidt

Thank you to all the pianists, teachers, jury members, sponsors, adience, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Jacobus de Jager for making the Final Round such a memorable occasion.

Photos by Tiffany Schultz Photography

Looking forward to the final round tonight with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Jacobus de Jager (conductor)

Live streaming will begin at 19:30, directly on the page, pause during the break at around 20:00, and continue at approximately 20:15 for the second half

Programme:
Dylan Price:
• L van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
III. Rondo: Allegro scherzando

Eléna Monvoisin:
• C. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2, Op.22
I. Andante Sostenuto

Sinran Emilie Yang
• H. Litolff: Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 102:
II. Scherzo

Interval
Aran Singh
• E. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
I. Allegro molto moderato

Hermanus Schmidt
• S. Prokofieff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
I. Andante - Allegro

Tonight, the Hennie Joubert National Piano Competition Final takes the stage at the Endler Hall, as this year’s finalists perform with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Jacobus de Jager.

After earlier solo rounds, the competition now moves into the concerto setting — a defining moment for these young South African pianists, where technical command, musical maturity and partnership with orchestra all come into play.

Presented as part of the 10th Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium, the final brings rising talent onto one of the festival’s biggest stages.

28 March | 19:30
Endler Hall, Stellenbosch

Join us tonight and experience the final live. Tickets available on webtickets.

Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

Congratulations to all 12 pianists who were selected to perform in round 2 and 3. We were treated to compelling performances and honour the hard work that went into this. The competition aims to serve as a podium for exactly these musicians to practice and hone their craft and we are pleased to have been able to play our small part in their future development. Now, onwards with the Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium where many of the participants will continue with masterclasses.

The 5 finalists will be performing with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in the Endler Hall on Saturday 28 March at 19:30. Congratulations!

Eléna Monvoisin:
C. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2, Op.22 I. Andante Sostenuto

Dylan Price:
L van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
III. Rondo: Allegro scherzando

Hermanus Schmidt:
S. Prokofieff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
I. Andante - Allegro

Aran Singh:
E. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16
I. Allegro molto moderato

Sinran Emilie Yang:
H. Litolff: Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 102: II. Scherzo

We are looking forward to welcoming the participants of the 2026 competition to the stage tomorrow.

Do make a point of supporting the solo rounds in the Endler Hall:
Monday 23 March 2:30-6:30
Tuesday 24 March 9:00-19:00
(Entrance for free)

The participants will perform in front of a dream-team jury. In addition to top national pianists, the Hennie Joubert Piano Competition is one of the few in South Africa affording South African youngsters the opportunity to also perform in front of an international jury member.