Long-Thibaud International Competition Piano 2025: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano selected by 4th prize winner

At the Long-Thibaud International Competition Piano 2025 held from March 25th to 30th, 2025, in Paris, France, 4th prize winner performed using the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano.

Kawai has provided instruments for the Long-Thibaud International Competition 2025 as an sponsor. At this year’s competition, with 32 participants selected to perform. Following eliminatory and semi-final rounds of qualifying, the final round, held at Théâtre National de l’Opéra-Comique in Paris, was contested by 5 participants, with the Fourth prize awarded to Japanese pianist Masaharu KAMBARA, who selected the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano throughout the competition.

In addition, one of Kawai’s most esteemed piano technician, MPA (Master Piano Artisan) Shinya Kurata from Kawai Japan, also played a pivotal role at the Long-Thibaud International Competition. He and two piano technician apprentices from Japan, Takayo Nishiyama and Yusuke Kagami, diligently worked on not only crafting the sound, but also contestant support through active communication.

Long-Thibaud International Competition Piano 2025: Final Results

4th Prize winner: Masaharu KAMBARA

Comment from 4th prize winner: Masaharu KAMBARA

It was my first visit to Paris, but throughout the competition I felt that the audience listened to my performance very warmly, and I was able to enjoy every round of the competition and give a convincing performance. Especially in the semi-final and final rounds, the deep and rich tone of the SK-EX harmonised perfectly with the world of Brahms, and I felt I was able to express my music more than usual.

About the Long-Thibaud International Competition

The Long-Thibaud Competition was created more than 80 years ago by the renowned pianist Marguerite Long to whom Maurice Ravel dedicated his concerto in G and by the no less famous violinist Jacques Thibaud. The Long-Thibaud Competition has contributed to making these artists legends during their lifetimes, faithful to its noble aims: promoting talents, transmitting the love of music to young people, facilitating their careers, their tours, contributing to their international reputation. Such is the vocation of the Long-Thibaud. The laureates receive exceptional prizes: financial support, recording opportunities, concert proposals, instrument loans as well as worldwide visibility thanks to the generous encouragement of patrons and sponsors. These artists are accompanied in their international ascension within the professional musical world.

Official website: https://www.long-thibaud.org

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.

Official website: https://www.shigerukawai.jp/en/