19th Campillos International Piano Competition: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano chosen as the official pianos for the competition

The 19th Campillos International Piano Competition was held in Campillos, Spain, from December 4 to 8, with the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano selected as the official piano for the competition.

Recognized as one of Spain’s leading international piano competitions, the Campillos International Piano Competition attracts outstanding young pianists from around the world each year. At this year’s 19th competition with the selection of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano as the official instruments for the competition.

■ 19th Campillos International Piano Competition: Final Results

1st Prize Winner: Mariamna Sherling

■Comments from prizewinners

How did you feel about winning the prize?

Campillos was much more than a competition for me—it felt like coming home to a family of musicians. The warm and inspiring atmosphere, the support from everyone involved, and the joy of making music together made this a truly unforgettable experience. More than simply performing, it was about connecting with people through music, and that is something I will always treasure.

What are your impressions of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano?

Playing the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX was an unforgettable experience. From the very first notes, I felt as though the piano was breathing with me. Its touch was both delicate and powerful, allowing me complete freedom of expression. Rather than feeling like an instrument, it became a true musical partner on stage, reflecting my emotions with remarkable beauty.

2nd Prize Winner: Nayeon Kim

■Comments from prizewinners

How did you feel about winning the prize?

The Campillos International Piano Competition became much more than a competition for me. As my first international competition in Europe, every stage—from the opening round to the finals—was an invaluable experience. Despite the long journey and the physical and mental challenges, the warm atmosphere among the competitors and jury members reminded me that music is about sharing rather than competing. My time in Campillos reaffirmed my love for music and strengthened my determination to continue growing as an artist.

What are your impressions of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano?

One of the things I looked forward to most before arriving in Campillos was the opportunity to perform on the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX. Throughout the competition, I was deeply impressed by its warm, rich tone, responsive touch, and extraordinary range of expression. The instrument responded beautifully to every nuance I wanted to create, inspiring me to explore even greater musical freedom. It was a privilege to perform on a piano that is trusted by so many prize winners around the world.

3rd Prize Winner: Tomofumi Miyazato

■Comments from prizewinners

How did you feel about winning the prize?

This was my second time participating in the Campillos International Piano Competition. Although Campillos is a small town, the competition provides outstanding support for its participants, including excellent practice facilities throughout the event. I am sincerely grateful to everyone involved in making the competition such a welcoming and rewarding experience, including the Shigeru Kawai team.

What are your impressions of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano?

I have had several opportunities to perform on Shigeru Kawai pianos in competitions, and I have always been impressed by their beautiful tone and remarkable versatility. During this competition I performed works ranging from Bach to Bartók, and I felt that the expressive capabilities of the SK-EX enhanced the musical character of every piece. It was a great privilege to perform on this instrument at such an important competition, and I hope to have the opportunity to play it again in the future.

About the Campillos International Piano Competition

Founded in 1988, the Campillos International Piano Competition is one of Spain’s leading international piano competitions for young pianists. Held annually in the town of Campillos, Andalusia, the competition has earned an international reputation for its high artistic standards, distinguished jury, and welcoming atmosphere. Each year, talented pianists from around the world gather in Campillos to compete while sharing their passion for music and building lasting international friendships. The competition has become an important stepping stone for many young artists as they begin their international careers.

Official website:
https://www.concursointernacionalpiano.es/international-piano-competition/

Competition information:
https://www.concursointernacionalpiano.es/rules/

About the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Full Concert Grand Piano

Unveiled in 2001 as the flagship instrument of the Shigeru Kawai line, the SK-EX concert grand piano is hand-crafted in limited numbers following a unique “prototyping” creation process. In order to achieve the supreme range of expression required in a concert piano, each instrument utilizes a variety of carefully selected materials, with premium aged spruce soundboards. Shigeru Kawai instruments adopt the advanced Millennium III keyboard action, featuring extended wooden keys and advanced ABS Carbon action parts, providing superior speed and responsiveness than conventional wooden action parts, allowing pianists to express a greater range of feeling and emotion in their performance.

Shigeru Kawai official website:
https://www.shigerukawai.jp/en/