The world-renowned Leeds International Piano Competition (LIPC) returns to the city this September, defying the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver its biggest-ever competition and associated city centre programme of events.

The competition is back, with a two week festival planned in its home city before the culmination of the competition is held over the weekend of 17th-18th September.

Launching on Saturday (4th September), The Leeds Piano Trail is bringing music back to every street corner as part of the 20th Leeds International Piano Competition, launching an engaging and interactive programme of events and activities.

Developed in partnership with LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), the world-famous competition is bringing its passion out of the concert hall and onto the streets for everyone to enjoy and explore the piano and the city centre.

The two-week festival running until 19th September showcases a unique series of installations featuring sculptures made entirely from up-cycled pianos, created by critically acclaimed artists’ collective Pianodrome, to discover alongside instruments transformed by local- based artists and community groups. Pianos appear to rise out of Briggate while others take the form of shapes, have been transformed into an allotment shed or incorporate lights and abstract objects.

Animating the streets in prominent locations from Leeds Station to Trinity Leeds, Victoria Quarter and Kirkgate Market to Merrion Street Gardens and the University of Leeds, the Leeds Piano Trail provides a catalyst for residents, families and visitors to come together once again, returning to the cultural hub of West Yorkshire.

With opportunities for everyone to get involved with everything from learn to play in a day to lullaby baby yoga sessions to Pianosaurus piano sessions linking in the city’s family friendly Leeds Jurassic Trail 2, the trail aims to connect communities and ignite a passion for music along the way. ‘Growing Stronger Together’ forms a central theme throughout the trail, tackling topics of climate change, mental health wellbeing and community through the involvement of local organisations such as Leeds Allotment Federation, Leeds Citizens and Leeds Minds Inkwell Arts putting their own mark on the pianos.

Saturday sees the launch of the trail with a full day of activities planned on each of the pianos.

Leeds International Piano Competition enters its final stages from 8th September, with two days for the second rounds then the semi-finals, both held at principal partner the University of Leeds’ Great Hall, before the winner is announced at the finals on 17th-18th held at Leeds Town Hall.

The 22 pianists who have made it to the second round are from 19 countries across the world, including the UK, Peru and South Korea. The international travel ban compelled LIPC organisers to rapidly switch the first round in January to online performances only. But the use of digital technology had the benefit of being able to include many more locations than usual around the world, extending the opportunity to more young pianists: 17 cities – from London to Ljubljana – hosted online auditions compared to only three in the original plan.