Pietro Corvi

Xhaferi wins the Bengalli award, while the "Enrica Prati" prize goes to second-place Padilla

The 19-year-old Italo-Albanian pianist Ruben Xhaferi has won the prestigious “Silvio Bengalli” Prize, organized by the Valtidone Musica Foundation. He was crowned yesterday at the Auditorium of the Fondazione di Piacenza e Vigevano during the Gala of the Valtidone International Competitions, a preview event for the 27th Valtidone Festival, of which the competitions are the festival’s very heart.

The audience-choice “Enrica Prati” Prize went to 18-year-old Colombian pianist Daniel Diaz Padilla. In fact, Padilla and Xhaferi tied, but as the rules stipulate, the award is given to the younger competitor.

The evening opened with a tribute to Donatella Ronconi. Before any formal greetings, a short but moving video recalled the dedication and enthusiasm that the late publisher of Libertà brought to the entire Valtidone Musica project from its beginnings, and her decision in 2016 to create an additional prize in memory of her daughter Enrica Prati.

'We have decided to dedicate this edition of the festival and competitions to Donatella — a fitting tribute,' said artistic director Livio Bollani, after a long round of applause“. We remember her smile, her ability to make difficult situations easier, and the strength with which she supported talented young artists. She left us a significant legacy that we are proud to carry forward.”Similar sentiments were expressed by Luigi Salice, board member of the Fondazione di Piacenza e Vigevano, and by Mauro Lodigiani, president of the Valtidone Musica Foundation: “I met Donatella last year when I was appointed president. No one had ever welcomed me with such a maternal smile.”

Representing the former publisher was attorney Alessandro Miglioli, president of the Ronconi-Prati Foundation and the Libertà Group: “I am here undeservedly, only by virtue of my role. Donatella was the soul of these competitions. Long live the prize dedicated to her poor daughter, who left before she did.”

Turning to the competition results:
Xhaferi won the Bengalli Prize with a score of 95/100, captivating the audience with a passionately precise performance of Chopin’s Preludes, Op. 28. He receives €8,000 and two engagements, including one at the Teatro Municipale in the 2026/27 season of the Fondazione Teatri di Piacenza.

Second place, just three points behind, went to Colombian Daniel Diaz Padilla for his rendition of Rachmaninov’s intricate Three Preludes, Op. 32. He took home €2,500, plus the €1,000 Prati audience prize.
Third place went to 24-year-old Paul Mnatsakanov, who was born in the USA and now lives in London. He was just 0.20 points behind the winner and charmed the audience with the bright colours of Mozart’s Sonata K.280, earning him €1,000.
Fourth place went to 2001-born Italian Marco Ottaviani from Pesaro, who received €500.

After two days of preliminary auditions at the Teatro di Pianello, the gala offered a festive, emotional close. An outstanding jury, chaired by Natalia Trull and including Vincenzo Balzani, Ayami Ikeba, Michail Lifits, Vanessa Latarche, Roberto Piano and Luca Rasca, evaluated the musicians. The evening concluded with a celebratory toast featuring Valtidone products, marking the end of the Valtidone Festival's official opening on 24 June in the courtyard of the Foundation's Palazzo Rota Pisaroni, featuring the renowned "gypsy" guitarists Stochelo Rosenberg & Salvatore Russo Trio.

Under the new biennial system, 2026 will feature a category for young talent and the 'Egidio Carella' composition contest. The Bengalli and Prati Prizes will return in 2027.

Libertà, 2 June 2025