The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, widely regarded as "one of the most prestigious contests in classical music,"1 follows a rigorous four-round elimination format. Held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas, the 2025 competition runs from May 21 to June 7.2 The competition begins with 30 competitors in the Preliminary Round performing 40-minute recitals that must include a commissioned work by Gabriela Montero.2 Eighteen pianists advance to the Quarterfinal Round for another 40-minute recital, followed by twelve semifinalists who perform both a 60-minute recital and a Mozart concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.2

The competition culminates with six finalists each performing two concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Marin Alsop.345 For the first concerto, pianists must select from a prescribed list, while the second allows more freedom of choice (up to 42 minutes in duration).2 Throughout the competition, performances take place at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU for preliminary rounds and Bass Performance Hall for semifinal and final rounds.2 Winners receive substantial cash prizes, concert tours at world-famous venues, and three years of career management.6 All competitors receive complimentary travel to Fort Worth and are hosted in private homes during the competition.2

Aristo Sham's musical journey began at the tender age of three in Hong Kong, where he was "enveloped in the environment of the piano even before [he] was born" as his mother taught piano in their home.12 His natural curiosity toward the instrument led to formal lessons, and by age ten, he was already competing and performing publicly.1 Rather than focusing exclusively on music, Sham pursued a balanced education, eventually completing a dual-degree program with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University and a Master of Music from New England Conservatory under Victor Rosenbaum.32

Throughout his development, Sham studied with notable teachers including Eleanor Wong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Colin Stone, Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, and later Robert McDonald and Orli Shaham at The Juilliard School where he earned his Artist Diploma.13 His diverse interests beyond piano—including travel, aviation, gastronomy, oenology, and languages—have shaped his artistic philosophy: "I try to take in everything that happens around me and seek out diverse and juxtaposing experiences; I believe this is an integral part of my artistic being."1 This holistic approach has clearly paid dividends in his performing career, culminating in his historic Cliburn Competition victory.

Aristo Sham opened the final round of the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition on June 3, 2025, with Felix Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25.12 Performing at Bass Performance Hall with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Marin Alsop, the 29-year-old pianist from Hong Kong tackled what music critic Osip Nikiforov described as "a technically demanding" work that requires "a lot of ensemble work with the orchestra."3

The Mendelssohn concerto, though sometimes associated with junior competitions, presents significant challenges including "cascades of octaves in both hands" and "blistering tempos" in its first and last movements.3 Sham's selection was strategic—the lively, effervescent piece opened the finals "like a bottle of champagne," setting him apart from competitors who chose more commonly performed concertos.3 His performance was livestreamed worldwide as part of the competition's comprehensive coverage, allowing global audiences to witness what would ultimately become the gold medal-winning pianist's journey through the prestigious competition.45