Young Hungarian Pianist Gergő Kaszab Awarded Platinum Prize for Expressive Bach Performance
- WOMCO
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Hungarian young pianist Gergő Kaszab has been awarded the Platinum Prize and the Expressive Musical Genius Special Prize in the Age 9–10 category at the 2025 Autumn Season of the Global Genius Music Competition. He earned these honors for his performance of Bach’s Piano Concerto in F Minor with the Chamber Orchestra of the Simándy József Music School. The season took place from July 3 to October 3, 2025, with the results announced on October 21.
Following his remarkable achievements, we had the opportunity to speak with Gergő Kaszab about his musical journey, his approach to performance, and the inspirations that shape his artistry. In the interview below, Gergő shares insights into his training, his collaboration with his teachers and orchestra, and the experiences that have defined his young but already impressive career.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in music, for example the schools you’ve studied at, the teachers who have guided you, and how long you’ve been studying, as well as your goals for the future?
Gergő Kaszab：
"My name is Gergő Kaszab, I am 10 years old, and I live in Kerepes, Hungary. I currently study music at the Simándy József Primary and Elementary Art School, where I learn three instruments—piano, violin, and French horn—which is perhaps unique in the country. My teachers are: Dr. András Suki (piano), Tibor Antal (violin), and Nikosz Baraciusz (French horn).
I have been studying music since I was three years old. Until the age of eight, my teacher was Anna Bekes, whose music development classes introduced me to the piano, violin, and recorder; we practiced all three instruments. Over the past year and a half, I have been studying piano—my main instrument—very intensively under the guidance of Dr. András Suki, a classical pianist and researcher awarded the Bárczy István Prize.During this period, I have achieved outstanding results in 10 international competitions, including winning first prize this year at the prestigious Munich International Piano Competition.
What I am perhaps most proud of is that I organized two charity concerts for a six-year-old local boy with Duchenne syndrome, to help raise the funds needed for his treatment.In addition to myself, my piano teacher Dr. András Suki and Prof. Kálmán Dráfi, professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest—and former master of my own teacher—also performed at these events.The concerts were titled 'Musical Bridge', symbolizing both the connection between teacher and student and the passing on of artistic traditions, as well as the unity and support that music can bring.
My goal is to become a pianist and to have as many people around the world get to know me. For this reason, I can also be found on YouTube and Facebook."
Could you tell us about your collaboration with the orchestra and conductor for your award-winning performance of Bach: Piano Concerto in F Minor, and share any memorable moments from the rehearsals?
Gergő Kaszab：
"At the Ars SACRA Catholic Festival, I performed my award-winning competition piece—Bach Piano Concerto in F minor—accompanied by a chamber orchestra formed by the teachers of my music school, in several local churches. My performance was accompanied by a string quartet and continuo section made up of my school’s music teachers. Members of the string quartet were: Anna Bekes (violin), Tibor Antal (viola), Ferenc Kárpule (second violin), Eszter Nagy(cello), and Dr. András Suki (continuo).Three members of the ensemble are my current teachers, to whom I am very grateful for supporting my musical development for years. The rehearsals we had together and my first chamber music experiences will always be special memories for me. Of course, I would like to perform the piece with a full orchestra as well, and I hope to have the opportunity to do so in the near future."
Receiving the Expressive Musical Genius Special Prize highlights the individuality of your performance. How did you go about finding and expressing your own artistic voice through the piano?
Gergő Kaszab：
"I am very happy that at the competition, the jury awarded me a special prize for the individuality of my interpretation. We worked extremely hard on this and on developing musicality. At the age of ten, this is perhaps the most difficult task—to find the balance that is neither too much nor too little. I strive to convey deep musical ideas; in this, my teacher Dr. András Suki helps me tremendously.I listen to a lot of Glenn Gould, whose style I admire—he is one of my role models. Another role model of mine is the Hungarian-born pianist György Cziffra."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Gergő Kaszab：
"I would like to express my warmest thanks to my parents, my piano teacher Dr. András Suki, and the teachers and leaders of my music school. Without their support, I would not have been able to achieve such results in this competition."
Biography
Ten-year-old Gergő Kaszab is a student at the Simándy József Primary and Elementary Art School in Kistarcsa, where his exceptional musical development has already become remarkable. Although he began studying the piano seriously only a year and a half ago, he has reached a technical and artistic level that is rare even after many years of training.
His piano teacher is Dr. András Suki, pianist and research professor, under whose guidance Gergő’s talent is unfolding at an exceptionally rapid pace. This year, he has achieved outstanding results in ten different international piano competitions—most recently winning second prize at the prestigious 12th György Ferenczy International Piano Competition.
Despite his young age, he already has a repertoire that would typically require several years of study. His exceptional musical maturity is well illustrated by his multiple performances of Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor with chamber orchestra accompaniment—delivered with confidence, thoughtful musical shaping, and stylistic authenticity.
Gergő not only plays the piano but also studies violin and French horn, giving him a truly multifaceted relationship with music. His exceptional concentration, diligence, and deep musical sensitivity clearly show that his path in classical music has not only begun promisingly, but is being deliberately and passionately built for the future.
Piano Competitions
Debussy International Piano Competition – Gold Award
II. Vienna Classical Music Competition – Special Prize
“Piano Tales” Competition – Outstanding Gold Certification
Color of Chopin International Piano Competition – Silver Prize (Mazurka & Prodigy categories)
World Classical Music Awards – Gold Prize
Munich International Piano Competition – 1st Prize
IV. Vienna Classical Music Competition – Special Prize
Global Genius Music Competition – Platinum Prize & Special Prize for Musical Expression
X. Danubia Talents International Piano Competition – 2nd Prize
XII. György Ferenczy International Piano Competition – 2nd Prize
Violin Competition
IX. International Violin Festival, Törökszentmiklós – Bronze Prize
Concert Performances
Ars Sacra Festival: Nagytarcsa Catholic Church, Kistarcsa Reformed Church, Kerepes Catholic Church
Charity Concerts for the recovery of Márk Pénzes, a young boy with Duchenne syndrome: “Musical Bridge – The Piano Art of Three Generations” charity concert