Dutch pianist Nikola Meeuwsen won the final of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for piano, held at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels on Saturday evening, while Belgian finalist Valère Burnon secured third place in the 2025 edition.
The international jury awarded Nikola Meeuwsen the victory shortly after midnight, selecting him from among 12 finalists representing seven nationalities.
“I’m speechless; it feels unreal, like a dream come true,” the virtuoso shared in an interview broadcast by RTBF after the results were announced.
The first prize, known as the Queen Mathilde Prize, includes €25,000 and offers numerous concert opportunities both in Belgium and abroad. Meeuwsen, born in 2002, performed a Sergey Prokofiev concerto at the final on 28 May.
The second prize was awarded to Japanese pianist Wataru Hisasue, receiving the Belgian federal government’s prize of €20,000.
Belgian finalist Valère Burnon, aged 27, claimed the third prize of €17,000 and won the Musiq3 audience award.
The fourth prize went to French pianist Arthur Hinnewinkel, offering €12,500 from the Flemish Community’s government.
Japanese pianist Masaya Kamei received the fifth prize of €10,000 from the Brussels region, while Russian pianist Sergey Tanin was awarded the sixth prize of €8,000 from the City of Brussels.
In the final, candidates performed a concerto of their choice and the compulsory piece “Music for the Heart,” composed especially for this session by Belgian jazz pianist Kris Defoort.
The twelve pianists enjoyed a week-long residency at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo to practise the compulsory piece.
Queen Mathilde and Princess Elisabeth were present at the final and the subsequent announcement of results on the night from Saturday into Sunday.
Belgian competitor Roeland Vermeulen did not reach the semi-finals.
Founded in 1937, the Queen Elisabeth Competition rotates annually between sessions dedicated to singing, violin, cello, and piano.
Next year, the competition will focus on cello for the third time.
