Application Deadline Extentended

Applications from pianists under 32 to the 2019 piano round of Bartók World Competition & Festival can be submitted till the 30^th of April. Along with with the prolongation the scale of plays to be selected in the repertoire has been widened so as more possibilities could be given to the young contestants for showing their talents. The competition with a prize pool of €60,000 will end with the Prize Giving Ceremony & Gala Concert after the four live rounds of the competition taking place between 7^th and 15^th of September.

 The repertoire includes mainly the plays of Bartók and Liszt, the concerto played in the Final accompanied by a symphonic orchestra can be chosen from five: two concertos by Liszt and three by Bartók. Members of the jury represent a selection of highly rated arists: young and prominent Russian pianist Andrei Korobeinikov; internationally recognised South Korean-born Steinway Artist, teacher at Manhattan School of Music Klara Min, Russian-American Alexandre Moutouzkine, briliant interpreter of dazzling Cuban piano music; leading Norvegian pianist Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, Lithuanian pianist and music teacher Muza Rubackyte; and Japanese pianist Kenji Watanabe, who is known for his exceptionally authentic Liszt and Bartók interpretations; Kossuth Prize winning pianist and conductor Tamás Vásáry; Liszt Prize winning pianist Kálmán Dráfi, head od Keyboard and Harp Department at the Liszt Academy and one of the most notable experts and researchers of Bartók’s oeuvre; Erkel Prize winning musicologist Tibor Tallián;.

 The competition, subvented by Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities, is based on a six-year cycle and built around the most characteristic strands of the Bartók oeuvre: piano, violin and chamber music. Instrumental competitions are held biannually, alternating with composition rounds, the winning pieces of which will be included in the obligatory repertoire of next year’s instrumental program. The cycle started with the violin competition in 2017 and went on with the composers’ round in 2018. Now application for this year’s piano competition is open till the end of April. Expected plays are Movement 1. Allegretto or Movement 2. Scherzo from Béla Bartók’s Suite, Op. 14 and an optional etude by Liszt. The twelve pianists qualified to the semi final has to play – among others – either Drumul Dracului by Dániel Dobos (first prize winning composition of last year’s competition) or Toccata by János Mátyás Stark (shared third prize winning composition of last year’s competition).

 “Bartók studied and taught at the Liszt Academy. In every corner we can feel his presence, the spirit of Bartók’s music.” emphasises Andrea Vigh Dr., President of the Liszt Academy and initiator of the Competition.

 Terms and conditions, application form and further information are available on https://bartokworldcompetition.hu/en

Further Information:
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music – Communications and Media Contents Directorate
Phone: (36) 1 462 4600, ext.172; E-mail: sajto@zeneakademia.hu
bartokworldcompetition.hu