Announcing the 2026 ICMA-Classeek Award Winner

As part of our continuing collaboration with the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), we are thrilled to announce the recipient of the 2026 ICMA-Classeek Award: American pianist Anthony Ratinov.

This prestigious award recognises young artists who demonstrate exceptional promise and a profound impact on the global classical music scene. Anthony, a rising star known for his “unwavering energy and precision,” perfectly embodies the spirit of this honour.

Meet Anthony Ratinov

Born in Indiana, Anthony's musical pedigree is as deep as his talent. His journey began at age four under the guidance of his grandmother, Edit Ratinova, a legendary pedagogue who taught at Moscow’s Gnessin Music School for nearly half a century.

Anthony’s trajectory has been marked by a series of high-profile international triumphs:

• 2024 Concours Musical International de Montréal: 3rd Prize winner, where he was hailed for his “striking confidence in taking risks.”
• 2025 National U.S. Chopin Competition: 2nd Prize winner.
• International Chopin Competition in Warsaw: Earned critical acclaim for his “characterful narrative” and “aristocratic” interpretations.
• 2023 Busoni International Piano Competition: 2nd Prize winner for a performance of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto, described as having “stainless precision.”

Beyond the competition circuit, Anthony is a distinguished graduate of the Yale School of Music and the Juilliard School’s prestigious Artist Diploma programme. Remarkably, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Yale, which he completed with honours while simultaneously pursuing his piano studies.

As a Young Steinway Artist, Anthony’s upcoming season is set to reach new heights, especially as he continues his season as an artist on the 2025-26 instalment of the Classeek Ambassador Programme.

2026 Award Ceremony in Bamberg

The official award ceremony for the 2026 ICMA-Classeek Award will take place on March 18th, 2026, at the Joseph Keilberth Hall in Bamberg, Germany. More information is available on the ICMA website.

The evening will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Bamberger Symphoniker, who will host the Gala Concert. Conducted by Jakub Hrůša, the event will feature performances by several of this year's winners. We offer our warmest congratulations to Anthony Ratinov on this landmark achievement and look forward to supporting his continued journey this season on the Classeek Ambassador Programme (and beyond).