by Mike Telin
With the 2026 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists underway, I took the opportunity to hear an impressive Semi-Final Solo Round on Saturday afternoon, July 25 in Mixon Hall at CIM. The session featured contestants from all three divisions — Rising Star (ages 10 to 12), Junior (ages 13 to 15), and Senior (ages 16 to 18).
Khloe Wu, age 11 (Canada) kicked things off with a lively performance of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s La Poule (The Hen) — She brought a big sound, colorful mood changes, and fast passages played with ease to Rachmaninoff’s Humoresque Op. 10 No. 5. The composer’s Zdes Khoroshp, Op. 21 No.7 (“How Fair is the Spot”) featured lovely phrasing. The young pianist’s personality was front and center during Hiromi Uehara’s The Tom and Jerry Show — a fun way to conclude her set.
Yusuke Nagayoshi, age 14 (Japan) began his set with two of Liszt’s Études d’exécution transcendante S. 139. No. 1 in C major “Preludeio” was highlighted by flowing arpeggios, and his ample technique served him well in No. 10 in F minor. During Chopin’s Scherzo No.4 in E major Op. 54, Nagayoshi produced some beautiful flowing lines, a lyrical middle section, and a beautiful transition back to the beginning material.
Ryan Huang, age 15 (Canada/United States) opened with a powerful Bach/Busoni Chaconne in D minor. Throughout the monumental work Huang produced a rich sound, lovely dynamic contrasts, and long, singing phrases. He ended his set with Guido Agosti’s arrangement of Stravinsky’s “Infernal Dance” from The Firebird. He made easy work of its pointed articulations, producing a sparkling sound that was full of emotion.
Yurim Kin, age 17 (South Korea) began with Mozart’s Fantasia in D minor K.397. Her performance was defined by well-shaped lines, a rich, clear sound, and nimble articulations. She played with a big sound that was full of dramatic contrasts and clear fast passages. During R. Schumann’s Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op. 26, she brought pointed articulations, bursts of sound, and great dynamic contrasts to Prokofiev’s Suggestion Diabolique Op.4 No.4
Chenxu Han, age 17 (China) Opened his set with another Mozart Fantasia, this one in C minor K.475. His nicely paced performance featured well shaped musical lines and a fine transition into the allegro. Han’s opening of Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1 S. 514 was powerful. He brought sparkling scale passages and great dynamic and tonal contrasts to the work. He concluded with Prokofiev’s Étude in C minor Op. 2 No. 3, which was defined by brilliant scale passages up and down the keyboard.
CIPC for Young Artists continues through Sunday, August 2. To view a complete schedule, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com July 27, 2026
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