Grand Prix of the Montenegro International Piano Festival 2025 Awarded to Faruk Kalayaci

Aug 31

The most prestigious award of the second edition of the Montenegro International Piano Festival Kotor — the Montenegro Grand Prix — was awarded to the young pianist Faruk Kalayaci from Turkey, who impressed both the professional jury and the audience with his exceptional musical maturity, virtuosity, and strong stage presence.

The award was presented during the Festival’s closing ceremony. The Montenegro Grand Prix is granted exclusively in Category C (ages 18–30) and represents the highest honor of the Festival’s competitive program.

Faruk Kalayaci began his musical education in 2006 at the Istanbul University State Conservatory, studying under Prof. Eser Bilgeman. At the age of 14, he performed Bach’s Piano Concerto in D minor as a soloist with orchestra. Since then, he has performed numerous major works from the piano concerto repertoire, including Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, appearing on concert stages around the world.

Among the most notable distinctions in his career are Grand Prix at the 12th International Pera Piano Competition (2017), First Prize at the Montenegro International Piano Competition (2025), Fifth Prize at the Fujairah International Piano Competition (UAE, 2025).

Faruk has performed at prestigious festivals such as the Bodrum Music Festival, London Contemporary Soloists, and the Pianissimo Festival. He is currently pursuing graduate studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the class of Prof. Ruvim Ostrovskiy.

As the laureate of the Montenegro Grand Prix, Faruk Kalayaci received a professional CD recording with the renowned label KNS Classical, concert engagements in Spain and Croatia, in collaboration with the Ricard Viñes Piano Competition and Cristoforium, as well as a €1,500 monetary award.

This award marks an important step in the young pianist’s international career and reaffirms the Festival’s mission to serve as a strong platform for the promotion of outstanding young artists.

We are proud that the Montenegro International Piano Festival provides a space for young pianists to shine on the international stage, and we are grateful to our partners who, together with us, support the next generation of musical talent.