Honens International Piano Competition is a wonderfully different kind of music competition.Honens looks for artists whose interpretations grow from a wide cultural context and keen imagination, whose performances are informed yet flavoured by a fascination for life outside the practice studio, and whose talent inspires the heart and engages the intellect. Honens is dedicated to “Discovering the Complete Artist” – 21st century musicians for 21st century audiences.

Honens holds the following principles essential in guiding the Juries of the Competition:

Interpretations shall be founded upon the intellectual and emotional understanding of musical text, and upon a performer’s ability to synthesize and express such understanding so as to challenge and stir both the intellect and the emotions of the listener.

This understanding will stem not only from knowledge of a particular composition itself but, equally importantly, from a wide knowledge of related music, of musical literature as a whole, and of the other arts, including, but not limited to, the visual and literary arts.

If the resulting interpretation appears unusual and unconventional it will appear so freshly and naturally. Artists taking part in Honens must also express through their stage deportment and programming ability, sensitivity to contemporary culture and an ability to communicate effectively with audiences of today.