The Museum of Contemporary Art \ Connecticut will host the final round of the fiftieth annual Heida Hermanns International Music Competition on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Three classical pianists from around the world have advanced to compete for top honors at the Westport museum.

The finalists consist of Matthew Figel representing the United States, Juhee Lim representing Korea, and Daria Podorozhnova representing Russia. Each competitor will debut a newly commissioned work written by composer Samuel Adams during the final round.

The competition schedule runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 19 Newtown Turnpike. Finalist performances will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed by a refreshment break and judges’ deliberation before the awards ceremony at 7:45 p.m.

A panel of judges led by pianist Frederic Chiu will evaluate the performances alongside Steven Spooner and Milana Strezeva. The winner will receive a cash prize of twenty thousand dollars and a solo recital engagement, while second and third place will receive ten thousand dollars and five thousand dollars respectively.

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the museum website. Additional details regarding the finalists and the competition schedule are available through the institution.

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