Czech Pianist Jan Schulmeister Wins BBC Music Magazine Award

Young Czech pianist Jan Schulmeister has achieved a major international success after winning an award at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London. The 20-year-old received the prize in the Newcomer Award category for his debut recording featuring works by Mussorgsky, Scriabin and Rachmaninoff.

Twenty-year-old Czech pianist Jan Schulmeister has received a major international honour after winning the Emerging Talent category at this year’s BBC Music Magazine Awards in London.

The winners of the 2026 Awards were announced on Wednesday at a live ceremony at London’s Kings Place, hosted by BBC Music Magazine editor Charlotte Smith and Radio 3 presenter Tom Service, plus an exciting array of guest presenters from the worlds of music, comedy and current affairs. The ceremony also featured live performances from Newcomer Award winner Jan Schulmeister, Instrumental Award winner Timothy Ridout and The Sixteen, directed by Personality of the Year winner Harry Christophers.

Video: Jan Schulmeister - Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff (teaser)

Schulmeister was recognised for his debut recording featuring works by Russian composers Modest Mussorgsky, Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Rachmaninoff, released by the Czech label Supraphon.

Born in 2006, Schulmeister is currently studying at the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno. He first attracted international attention in 2023, when he won third prize at The Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition in Dallas, United States.

BBC Music Magazine Awards

The BBC Music Magazine Awards are among the most respected prizes in classical music and recognise the best recordings released over the past year. The annual awards ceremony, held in London, honours outstanding artists, orchestras and young talents from across the international classical music scene.