French Pianist Arthur Coatalen Wins Inaugural Musician Competition

The inaugural Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM) International Musician Competition concluded on Monday night with a thrilling final round at the He Luting Concert Hall.

French pianist Arthur Coatalen, aged 21, captured First Prize, followed by Xie Lingfei (China, 25) in Second Place, Selim Mazari (France, 33) in Third, and Sonja Kowollik (Germany/Poland, 24) in Fourth.

The competition’s innovative concept set it apart from traditional piano contests. Designed to identify artists of comprehensive musicianship rather than technical brilliance alone, it placed pianists in collaborative settings from the very first round. Contestants were evaluated not only as soloists but also as chamber partners and ensemble leaders, developing a broader musical sensibility that reflects the demands of today’s global music scene.

In the Concerto Final, each of the four finalists led the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra from the keyboard. Xie Lingfei performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414, while Arthur Coatalen, Selim Mazari, and Sonja Kowollik each presented Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major, K. 415. Their performances highlighted both interpretive depth and the rare ability to guide an ensemble while performing as soloists.

Among the young musicians from around the world applied for the competition, 20 semi-finalists representing over ten countries - including China, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Bolivia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States - advanced to the next stage.

The semi-finals, held from 28 October to 3 November in Quanzhou, the historic maritime city at one end of the Silk Road, featured two distinctive rounds: Chamber Music and Art Song. These rounds required contestants to collaborate with professional string players and singers, reinforcing the competition’s vision of nurturing musicians who excel through communication and partnership.

The international jury, co-chaired by Liao Changyong, President of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Ralf Gothóni, the Finnish pianist and conductor, included conductors and pianists Hartmut Höll, Okko Kamu, Dejan Lazic, Peter Csaba, and Jiang Chen, among others. Their collective expertise ensured a balanced assessment that valued both technical command and artistic maturity.

A collaboration between the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Hui’an County in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, in partnership with the Savonlinna Music Academy in Finland, the SHCM International Musician Competition is the world’s first major international event explicitly titled a “Musician Competition.” Its mission is to discover and cultivate artists who combine technical excellence with creativity, empathy, and leadership.

The competition will be held biennially, continuing its role as a platform for emerging talents with global perspective and collaborative vision.

The celebration will continue on 13 November at the Quanzhou Grand Theatre, where the prize winners will perform together in a Laureate’s Gala, marking a fitting conclusion to this pioneering musical journey.