Almaty's Young Pianists Shine at 11th Zhubanov Competition
The 11th Ahmet and Gaziza Zhubanov Young Pianists Competition recently concluded in Almaty. The event brought together 25 talented musicians from local music schools, showcasing their skills in a celebration of classical piano. Participants performed a mix of classical works, including sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, and Chopin’s Étude No. 14. Each pianist also played a piece by Ahmet or Gaziza Zhubanov, honouring the competition’s namesakes. This year marked the first time piano duets were invited, with Ayala Bauyrzhan and Diana Kim earning special diplomas for their performances.
The competition split into three age groups. In the junior category, Dayana Khassenova and Anastasia Bozhok shared first place. Elfiya Nokesh took the top prize in the intermediate group. Among the seniors, Darkhan Mukhanov and Alinur Saulebek tied for the leading position. Every participant received commemorative prizes and stylish booklets featuring their performance programmes and photos. The event also paid tribute to Ahmet Zhubanov, a key figure in Kazakh classical music, ahead of his 120th anniversary next year.
The competition highlighted the talent of young pianists in Almaty while preserving the musical legacy of the Zhubanovs. All 25 participants left with recognition, and the inclusion of duets added a fresh dimension to this year’s event.
