Ariel Lanyi was an Israeli child music prodigy.
Ariel began piano lessons with Lea Agmon just before his 5th birthday and made his orchestral debut at the age of 7. Since then, he has given numerous recitals in cities such as London, Paris (including Hôtel des Invalides and Radio France), Rome, Prague, Brussels, and regularly in concerts broadcast live on Israeli radio and television.
"Like other exceptionally talented youngsters, 14-year-old Ariel Lanyi is a mixture of the characteristics one would expect from his age group, and some astonishing signs of maturity." (The Jerusalem Post)
THE FREE TESTHow high is yours?Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →
Ariel has appeared as a soloist with a variety of orchestras in the United Kingdom and Israel, including the Israel Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and has participated in festivals such as the Israel Festival, Ausseer Festsommer, Bosa Antica Festival, Miami Piano Festival, the Ravello Festival, and the Young Prague Festival.
As a chamber musician, Ariel has appeared with members (including leading members) of the Prague Philharmonia, the Czech Philharmonic, the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and the Israel Philharmonic, among others. In 2020, Ariel will appear in the Marlboro Festival. Ariel was awarded first prize at the 2017 Dudley International Piano Competition following a performance of Mozart’s Concerto in C minor, K. 491 in the final round, and in 2018, he was awarded the first prize in the Grand Prix Animato in Paris.
This special talent is based on two qualities: innate intelligence and a sense of flawless rhythm. He has that specific combination of brain and heart.” (Rudy Tambuyser, Cultuurpakt)
In 2012, Ariel released Romantic Profiles on LYTE records, a recital album featuring SchumannʼsCarnival Scenes from Vienna, Lisztʼs Fantasy and Fugue on the theme B-A-C-H, Brahmsʼ Fantasies Op. 116, and Janacekʼs Piano Sonata I.X.1905. Future projects include a recording for Linn Records.
“It came as a refreshing change to hear a pianist such as Ariel Lanyi who not only listened to himself but could make the piano speak in a way that is very rare these days.” (Christopher Axworthy, The Keyboard Charitable Trust)
Ariel studied at the High School and Conservatory of the Jerusalem Academy of Music, in the piano class of Yuval Cohen. Ariel also studied violin and composition, and was concertmaster of the High School and Conservatory Orchestra. He has also received extensive tuition from eminent artists such as Leon Fleisher, Robert Levin, Murray Perahia, Imogen Cooper, Leif Ove Andsnes, Steven Osborne, and the late Ivan Moravec. Currently, he studies as a full scholarship student at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Hamish Milne and Ian Fountain. Ariel is a recipient of the Munster Trust Mark James Star Award and the Senior Award of the Hattori Foundation.
Relevant Reading: Is My Child a Prodigy?
Top questions
Who is Ariel Lanyi?
Ariel Lanyi is a London-based Israeli classical pianist, born on October 10, 1997, in Jerusalem. He took third prize at the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition and has performed with orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Critics have praised the intensity and musical integrity of his performances.
Was Ariel Lanyi a child prodigy?
Lanyi began his musical journey at five, performing as a pianist, and at six he played with an orchestra for the first time. By eight he was regularly featured on live broadcasts on Israel Radio. His early exposure also included documentaries, such as the ITV feature Superhuman Genius.
Where did Ariel Lanyi study music?
Lanyi began at the Conservatory of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, studying piano under Lea Agmon and Yuval Cohen, along with violin, composition, conducting and jazz. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Hamish Milne and Ian Fountain.
What competitions has Ariel Lanyi won?
In 2021 Lanyi won third prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, was a finalist at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, and won prizes at the Young Classical Artists Trust and Concert Artists Guild auditions. In 2023 he received the Prix Serdang, a 50,000 CHF prize for a young pianist.
What has Ariel Lanyi recorded?
In 2024, as part of the Next Generation Mozart Soloists project, Lanyi recorded Mozart's two Concert Rondos with Howard Griffiths and the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg. In 2025 Linn Records released Organ Reflections, a recording of piano music influenced by the organ, by Mozart, Franck and Reger.
Which orchestras has Ariel Lanyi performed with?
Lanyi has performed with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, working with conductors including Trevor Pinnock, Andrew Manze, Peter Whelan and Yi-An Xu. As a chamber musician he has played with Charles Neidich, Torleif Thedéen and Noah Bendix-Balgley.
What is Ariel Lanyi doing now?
As of 2025, Lanyi lives in London and continues to perform internationally. His repertoire includes works by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Bartók, and he has taken part in the Marlboro Music Festival. Linn Records released his recording Organ Reflections in 2025.
