Van Cliburn Concert: Aristo Sham + Vitaly Starikov
Starting the 2026 Van Cliburn Concert Series is a rare performance: two award-winning pianists in one unforgettable night. We invite you to join us for a breathtaking evening of live music by acclaimed pianist and Gold Van Cliburn Competition winner Aristo Sham, and much-admired pianist and Silver Van Cliburn Competition winner Vitality Starikov.
This evening, you’ll experience Sham’s engaging emotional resonance and exciting spontaneity, while Starikov will draw you into his bold, raw performance with a powerful style.
This initial installment of the 2026 concert series brings some of the most iconic works of the classical world to Bentonville for a virtuoso performance. Set against the beauty of the Great Hall and the museum’s natural setting, this concert is not one to miss. We hope to see you there.
Tickets are $45 ($36/members, $10/students and teachers). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.
Passionate about music? Book your tickets to all three 2026 Van Cliburn Concerts at once and save with a season pass!
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About the Artists
Aristo Sham
Pianist Aristo Sham exudes astounding intellect and a deep emotional resonance; a cultivated sophistication and an immediately engaging presence; a penchant to take on the great monuments of the piano repertoire and a natural, infectious spontaneity. This makeup is fueled by a fascination with the world and its rich cultures: he was an international prodigy, is a voracious student of wide-ranging interests, and currently splits his time between three continents. At the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Aristo found his breakthrough moment, taking home both the gold medal and the audience award. And the critics showered him with imaginative praise, calling him “a marvel of deft characterization,” “consistently authoritative,” “a card-carrying risk taker,” “a dapper, aristocratic figure on stage,” “a pianist I look forward to hearing again” (The Dallas Morning News, Gramophone, Texas Classical Voice). In just two months’ time, he was mentioned in more than 800 news articles, and his Cliburn performance videos were streamed 2 million times across 125 countries.
Aristo was featured in the 2009 documentary The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies on Channel 4 (UK) and has performed for royalty including King Charles. He has concertized across Asia, Europe, and the United States, with major highlights including the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under Edo de Waart, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, and Minnesota Orchestra. His 2025–2026 debut season as Cliburn winner includes a major tour of Asia through Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and South Korea, and recitals across the United States. Aristo Sham is represented by the Cliburn.
Vitaly Starikov
Russian/Israeli pianist Vitaly Starikov has found distinction with “raw, deeply felt, and powerful” (La Scena) performances, while having an unassuming onstage presence and a “willingness less to play at the audience than to draw [them] into musical intimacies” (Dallas Morning News). His bold approach won him silver at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the admiration of fans around the globe. Vitaly’s perspective on music is manifested in his repertoire: he presents music that reflects not only tradition, but also contemporary life, striving to offer new perspectives on familiar music and introduce lesser-known pieces to wider audiences. His Cliburn performance of Bartok’s Second Piano Concerto electrified the room, with a La Scena reviewer noting that “he understood this music, and gave an impactful, lively, and gripping interpretation on all levels: emotionally, architecturally, and in terms of his sound palette.” This inaugural Cliburn season takes him to the Bravo! Vail and Sunriver Music Festivals; Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and Pacific, Topeka, and Springfield Symphony Orchestras, and in recitals throughout the United States. Vitaly Starikov is represented by the Cliburn.
