Established in 1963 to pay tribute to the Swiss-Romanian pianist Clara Haskil, the Clara Haskil Competition is held biennially.

This year's edition saw Malaysian pianist Magdelene Ho emerge as the victor. As the youngest among the three finalists, Ho achieved the distinction of becoming the first Malaysian pianist to claim the competition's top prize. Furthermore, she was honored with the Audience Award, along with the Children's Corner Prize and the Coup de Coeur Prize for Young Critics.

Hailing from Malaysia, Magdalene Ho pursued her musical education at England's Purcell School with a scholarship she secured at the tender age of nine. She has accumulated a substantial collection of awards and accolades, including the Classical Prize and a recording contract she earned at the Pianale Summer Course in Fulda, Germany.

Ho secured her victory in the competition with the unanimous endorsement of the judging panel. The other two finalists in contention were Elizaveta Ukrainskaia (Russia) and Arthur Hinnewinkel (France).

The distinguished panel of judges included Finghin Collins (President), Marc Coppey, Nino Gvetadze, Piers Lane, Steve Roger, Hiroko Sakagami, and Cédric Tiberghien.

You can listen to Ho's exceptional performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 below.