Aarhus International Piano Competition

Royal Academy of Music Aarhus

Aarhus International Piano Competition is divided into two Age Categories.
Two rounds for category A and three rounds for category B

Every two years

April 9-17, 2027

November 15th, 2026

competition

To enter the Aarhus International Piano Competition 2027, applicants must pass a video based preselection round. The online application form will open on competition website in October 2026. Applicants will have to provide video recordings, personal information, and the application fee. Learn more about each requirement here:

Video Recording

As part of the application process, every applicant must upload video recordings of themselves playing.

Video recording repertoire

The repertoire requirements for the video recordings are the same in Category A and Category B:

The recording should contain a programme of three pieces with a total maximum duration of 20 minutes, including:

1. A first movement of a sonata by J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart or L.v. Beethoven.
2. One piece or movement by F. Chopin.
3. One piece or movement of free choice.

Important video information

Editing of the recordings is not allowed, but separate works or movements can be from different takes.

The video should be filmed from the side (as in concert). Applicant’s face, entire profile, both hands, the keyboard, and feet must be visible in the frame at the same time. Only one camera angle is accepted.

No speaking or addressing the camera is permitted.

Please upload the recording in 3 separate video files and include the composers name in each file name.

How do I make a video?

Record your video in landscape mode, as this matches the jury’s monitor format.

Aim for a high‑quality video – but focus on the sound quality. We recommend a video-resolution of 1080p – and an audio quality of minimum 192 kbps aac.

Avoid placing the microphone(s) too close to the piano; a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters usually works well.

Please avoid using artificial reverb.

Personal information

The online application form will ask for contact info, and if applicant is under 18 – parent´s contact info.
We also need some more specific files as described in the following:

– Copy of passport (.pdf, .jpg or .png)

– Photo in high resolution  (minimum 600×600 px) (.jpg or .png)

Application fee

Application fee is 120 € and is non-refundable.

The application fee will be payable with credit card as a part of the application.

Info about the preliminary judging

All audio files will be completely anonymised and numbered by the secretariat and then presented for the pre jury.

Applicants will receive information whether or not he/she has been accepted to take part in the competition in December 2026.

In Category A 20 pianists will be invited for the competition and in Category B 22 pianists will be invited. In Category B two places are reserved for Danish pianists.

• The 8th Aarhus International Piano Competition is organised by the non-profit organisation ”Aarhus International Piano Competition” and will be held in Aarhus, Denmark between the 9th and 17th of April 2027.
• The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities. However a former 1st Prize Winner of one of the competition’s categories cannot take part in the same category again.
• Competitors in Category A must be born between 10th of April 2011 – 9th of April 2016.
• Competitors in Category B must be born between 10th of April 2005 – 9th of April 2011.
• All necessary documents for participation in the competition must be received by the Competition Secretary through the online application system on 15th of November 2026 at the latest. Applications that are received late or are incomplete will not be accepted.
• The application fee is 120 euros and it cannot be refunded.
• Each applicant must upload video recording together with the application. Editing in the recordings are not allowed, but seperate works or movement can be from different takes. For details about the program for the video recording, please look here.
• The recordings from all applicants will be presented for the preselection jury. All applicants will be informed about the result of the preselection on the 15th of December 2026 at the latest.
• In Category A 20 pianists will be invited for the competition and in Category B 22 pianists will be invited. In Category B two places are reserved for Danish pianists.
• Competitors must register at the Competition Office on 9th of April 2027.
• The order of playing in the first round will be decided at the public ballot on 9th of April at 10 pm. All competitiors must be present at this event. For the second round and the final there will be held new ballots just after the announcement of the result of the previous round.
• Each competitor is responsible for all costs that are incurred by participation in the competition.
• As many competitors as possible shall be offered private accommodation in or near Aarhus during the competition period.
• The jury assesses the competitors on the basis of the Jury Rules. The Jury will award all Prizes except the Audience Prize.
• The Jury´s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
• All votes of the Jury will be published in unanonymised form shortly after the competition.
• Jury members and active competitors are not allowed to have any kind of contact with each other during the competition.

• All repertoire must be played from memory.
• A competitor can alter his/her programme for any stage of the Competition by informing the Competition Secretary on the 1st of February at the latest.
• All rounds of the Competition are open to the public and they will be live-streamed on video. The Aarhus International Piano Competition is the sole holder of the rights to all video or audio recordings and Internet Broadcasts in all stages of the competition. Competitors cede to the Aarhus International Piano Competition, without remuneration, the rights to the following:

1. performances of the works during the whole Competition.
2. performances of works during the concerts for participants and the final concert.
3. photographic and recorded images taken during participation in  the Competition and the concerts.

• Practice instruments will be availiable for all competitiors for 5 – 6 hours every day during the competition. All finalists will have a room with a grand piano availiable on the entire day of the finals. The finalists in Category B will have two rehearsal with Aarhus Symphony Orchestra before the final performance.
• Concerts are arranged for the competitors who do not go the second round or the final. These concerts take place during the competition period in Aarhus or in other Danish cities. The Competitors are required to perform at these concerts. No fee will be payed for playing at these concerts.
• All Prize Winners are obliged to take part in the final concert and to be present at the distribution of prizes. Should a Prize Winner not appear he/she can lose the right to the Prize. The management of the Competition will decide in such cases.
• All organisational decisions concerning the Competition remain the responsibility of the Competition Managers. The Competition Management reserves the right to make all final decisions in the event of any misunderstanding.
• By sending the application to Aarhus International Piano Competition the applicant declare that he/she approves the terms and conditions mentioned in this set of rules.
• In the case of cancellation of the competition due to force majeure, AIPC will to the greatest extent possible pay back the application fee minus a bank transfer fee. AIPC cannot be held responsible for other expenses or loses in the event of cancellation.

Category A:

• 1st prize: 10.000 €
• 2nd prize: 5.000 €
• 3rd prize: 2.500 €

Category B:

• 1st prize: 15.000 €
• 2nd prize: 10.000 €
• 3rd prize: 5.000 €

Category A:

Carl Nielsen Prize: 3.500 €

Category B:

Carl Nielsen Prize: 3.500 €

These prizes are given for the best Carl Nielsen performance in 1^st Round

The 1st Prize Winner of Age Category 16-21 will be invited to perform with Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and other symphony orchestras.

Prize Winners of the competition will be given concert opportunites in Denmark at prestigious music festivals and in acclaimed music societies.

See a complete list of Competition’s concert partners here.

Special Prize: 1,500 €

EMCY Prize