The first International Piano Competition Košice was held in 1993 and up until its fifth year the competition was organized annually. Later the organizing committee decided to change it to biennial cycle.
The aim of competition is to support young talented children and enable them to represent themselves on the stage, not only in Slovakia, but also abroad.
From its very beginning the International Piano Competition Art Director has been Peter Toperczer, Dr. h. c., Rector emeritus at AMU in Prague, a native of Košice. After his sudden death Peter Breiner, composer, pianist and conductor took over the position as art director and from 2013 Professor Toperczer’s son, Peter Tperczer jr., will be art director of the International Piano Competition Košice. The competition is now dedicated to his father thus being renamed into Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition.
Mária Hemerková Elementary School of the Arts
The participants should be aged up to 17.
The competition has two rounds.
Every two years
The contestants’ performances will be evaluated by a five-member international expert jury consisting of renowned piano teachers and performers. The decisions of the jury are final and irrevocable.
15-18 April, 2027
31 January, 2027
15 April 2027 (Thursday)
16 April 2027 (Friday)
17 April 2027 (Saturday)
18 April 2027 (Sunday)
The application form should be sent by registered mail before the deadline with:
Application fees (non-refundable):
With accommodation at Garni Hotel Akadémia (free breakfast)
Without accommodation:
Competition Categories
I. category year of birth – 2016 and younger
II. category year of birth – 2014 and 2015
III. category year of birth – 2012 and 2013
IV. category year of birth – 2009, 2010 and 2011
1st Round – Preliminary
2nd Round – Final
The number of pieces in the program is optional, but it must not exceed the maximum time limit specified for the given category. Only pieces written for solo piano may be performed. Unauthorized arrangements, transcriptions, or adaptations of pieces are not permitted. Playing from memory is mandatory.
Guidance on classifying composers into stylistic periods
Composers living and composing at the turn of the 19 th and 20 th century (S. Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, C. Debussy, M. Ravel, etc.) should be categorized with their entire body of work as 20th and 21st-century pieces for the 2nd round.
Competition performances in all categories are available to the general public.
Any potential repertoire changes must be sent no later than 28 February 2027 via email to kosicepianocompetition@gmail.com
Time Limits for Each Round
I. category:
1. Round 3 – 8 min.
2. Round 3 – 8 min.
II. category:
1. Round 7 – 12 min.
2. Round 7 – 12 min.
III. category:
1. Round 10 – 15 min.
2. Round 10 – 15 min.
IV. category:
1. Round 13 – 20 min.
2. Round 13 – 20 min.
Time limits must be strictly observed.
The time limit represents the net playing time, i.e., the sum of the duration of all interpreted pieces performed in the respective round of the competition. In all categories, both the specified minimum and maximum lengths of the program must be respected. If the minimum time limit is not met, the jury may disqualify the contestant. In the event of exceeding the maximum time limit, the contestant may be stopped during their performance. This fact does not affect the scoring evaluation of the performance prior to the interruption.
Contestants placing 1st to 5th will receive their awards on Sunday at the final Winners’ Concert.
At the conclusion of the competition, the Chairman of the Jury will announce the Absolute Winner of the XIX. edition of the Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition, which includes a special financial prize.
The jury may also award other extraordinary prizes and mentions for exceptional artistic performances, which will be announced and presented at the Winners’ Concert on Sunday.
https://competition.zuske.sk/en/
