TICKETS
$10 to $112
PASSES
Competition Pass
$350 to $414 (Early Bird ends 17 June)
Finals Pass
$80 to $144 (Early Bird ends 17 June)
Honens Box Office
403 299 0130
info@honens.com
Please note, for the comfort of our artists and patrons, children under 7 will not be permitted into ticketed events.
The 2025 Honens International Piano Competition brings ten of the world’s top emerging pianists to Calgary for nearly two weeks of extraordinary piano music. From self-curated solo recitals and intimate collaborations with cellist Rachel Mercer, and a new work by Iman Habibi to grand finales with the Isidore String Quartet and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, each performance offers a window into each Competitor’s unique artistic personality.
Beyond the Competition, enjoy a mind-bending concert experience with 2018 Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze, Bison Noir featuring distinguished pianist and Mentor-in-Residence Sir Stephen Hough, free masterclasses with acclaimed pianists and members of the Second Jury Janina Fialkowska and Anne-Marie McDermott, Honens Honours—an elegant evening celebrating the Honens supporters shaping the arts in Calgary—a special production for young audiences celebrating legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, and 2022 Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko’s farewell recital before he passes the torch to the 2025 Honens Laureates.
Experience the piano in all its brilliance—live, in the heart of Calgary.
ALL EVENTS
Neurorecital
with Nicolas Namoradze
Wednesday 15 October at 8 pm
Infinity Dome Theatre, TELUS Spark
Neurorecital invites you to witness the brain in action as it responds to music. Set inside the Infinity Dome planetarium theatre at TELUS Spark, this immersive experience surrounds you with 360-degree projections of 2018 Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze’s brain activity as he performs, created by the state-of-the art Glass Brain visualization technology. Blending virtuosic piano, cutting-edge neuroscience, and stunning visual design, this unforgettable performance offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a musical mind. Join us as Nicolas leads you on a journey where art and science converge.
Semifinals I
Thursday 16 October at 1 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Be captivated as Semifinalists 1 and 2 share the full breadth of their artistry in solo recitals they’ve carefully crafted to reflect their unique musical voices.
Semifinals II
Thursday 16 October at 7 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Be captivated as Semifinalists 3 and 4 share the full breadth of their artistry in solo recitals they’ve carefully crafted to reflect their unique musical voices.
Semifinals III
Friday 17 October at 1 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Be captivated as Semifinalists 5 and 6 share the full breadth of their artistry in solo recitals they’ve carefully crafted to reflect their unique musical voices.
Semifinals IV
Friday 17 October at 7 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Be captivated as Semifinalists 7 and 8 share the full breadth of their artistry in solo recitals they’ve carefully crafted to reflect their unique musical voices.
Masterclass I
with Anne-Marie McDermott
Saturday 18 October at 9 am
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Don’t miss a rare opportunity to learn from internationally renowned pianist Anne-Marie McDermott as she shares expert musical insights and personalized feedback with emerging piano artists in an inspiring and educational setting. Free admission with registration.
Semifinals V
Saturday 18 October at 1 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Be captivated as Semifinalists 9 and 10 share the full breadth of their artistry in solo recitals they’ve carefully crafted to reflect their unique musical voices.
Semifinals VI
Saturday 18 October at 7 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Experience the evolving artistry of Semifinalists 1 and 2 as they perform recitals that weave solo brilliance with collaborative musical dialogue alongside cellist Rachel Mercer, and include a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
Masterclass II
with Janina Fialkowska
Sunday 19 October at 9 am
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry of piano performance as revered Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska coaches rising piano artists in a dynamic, interactive masterclass setting. Free admission with registration.
Semifinals VII
Sunday 19 October at 1 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Experience the evolving artistry of Semifinalists 3 and 4 as they perform recitals that weave solo brilliance with collaborative musical dialogue alongside cellist Rachel Mercer, and include a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
Semifinals VIII
Sunday 19 October at 7 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Experience the evolving artistry of Semifinalists 5 and 6 as they perform recitals that weave solo brilliance with collaborative musical dialogue alongside cellist Rachel Mercer, and include a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
Semifinals IX
Monday 20 October at 1 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Experience the evolving artistry of Semifinalists 7 and 8 as they perform recitals that weave solo brilliance with collaborative musical dialogue alongside cellist Rachel Mercer, and include a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
Semifinals X
Monday 20 October at 7 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre
Experience the evolving artistry of Semifinalists 9 and 10 as they perform recitals that weave solo brilliance with collaborative musical dialogue alongside cellist Rachel Mercer, and include a newly commissioned work by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi.
Honens Honours
Tuesday 21 October at 5 pm
Calgary Petroleum Club
Honens Honours pays tribute to individuals and organizations whose dedication to the arts, like Esther Honens before them, has made an extraordinary contribution to cultural life and arts in Calgary. Join us for an elegant evening celebrating the extraordinary generosity of Honens supporters in an inspiring tribute to the philanthropic spirit fuelling Honens’ vision for a love of the piano.
Curtain Call
Illia Ovcharenko in Recital
Wednesday 22 October at 7 pm
Heather Edwards Theatre, Contemporary Calgary
Witness a defining moment in the artistic journey of 2022 Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko as he returns to the Honens stage for a deeply expressive and memorable solo recital.
Bison Noir: Música Callada
with Sir Stephen Hough
Wednesday 22 October at 9 pm
The Grotto, Contemporary Calgary
Immerse yourself in the ethereal allure of Bison Noir as the legendary Sir Stephen Hough brings the evocative, intimate music of Frederic Mompou to life in this late-night performance blending artistry and atmosphere.
Oscar
Thursday 23 October at 10:30 am
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre (formerly known as Arts Commons)
Oscar invites you on a joyful, music-filled journey through the life and legacy of legendary Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson—blending storytelling, history, and performance to inspire and delight.
Finals I
Thursday 23 October at 7 pm
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre (formerly known as Arts Commons)
Discover the intimacy and intensity of chamber music at its finest as each of the three Finalists take the stage with the acclaimed Isidore String Quartet, performing emotionally rich, dynamic piano quintets revealing their depth as collaborative artists.
Finals II & Awards Show
Friday 24 October at 7 pm
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre (formerly known as Arts Commons)
Feel the thrill as the three Finalists perform dazzling concertos of their choice with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Elias Grandy. The evening’s excitement continues with the unforgettable announcement of the 2025 Honens Laureates.
TICKETS
$10 to $112
PASSES
Competition Pass
$350 to $414 (Early Bird ends 17 June)
Finals Pass
$80 to $144 (Early Bird ends 17 June)
