Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition 2026

Chairman of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, the Honourable Andrew Greenwood; CEO, Mr Matthew Farrell; Artistic Directors, Ms Natasha Vlassenko OAM and Mr Oleg Stepanov OAM; corporate partners; donors and supporters; jurors; Little Lev performers; competition finalists; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House this afternoon. As Patron of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, it is a great pleasure to gather with such gifted musicians and their supporters, to celebrate the wonderful showcase of young talent that is revealed through this competition. 

In a matter of days, the culmination of this exciting time, the Finals, will be upon you. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to suggest that every competitor will be changed by that difficult, perhaps nerve-wracking, but always thrilling process.

Naturally, as in any contest, there is a level of healthy pressure, of striving to succeed.

Though I do believe the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition—now the largest piano event in Australia—is much more than just a contest.

It offers a chance for competitors to connect with other young musicians, to learn from the skills of others, and to refine their own abilities. Perhaps more than any other element, it’s an opportunity to feel the joy of performance in front of a live audience, an experience that can be life changing. 

In celebrating our young musicians today, we also salute the marvellous instrument that is the piano, invented over three centuries ago by an Italian man called Cristofori.

Little is known of Cristofori’s life, but the earliest versions of his piano existed around 1709. It would take almost two decades of hard work, inspiration and constant improvement before he established the fundamental components of a modern piano.

Mastery takes time.

Developing skills, as even the youngest in the room will know, takes hard work and determination. The young musicians here today have already shown an excellent level of commitment to their craft, and I commend you all for your ongoing dedication, and wish you every success in your endeavours. 

I also congratulate those who, in multiple ways, provide opportunities for that talent to flourish: the Lev Vlassenko Artistic Directors and organisers; the Jury Panel members; sponsors; supporters and family members.

Without your skills, time, and generosity, this renowned competition could not exist as a powerful focus for the exceptional young pianists of Australia and New Zealand.

Congratulations to you all.