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

March 7 – March 15 2025

November 15, 2024.

competition

Audio recording

As a part of the application proces every applicant has to upload a high quality audio recording ( .mp3 in a quality of min. 128 kbit/s  — we strongly recommend a minimum of 192 kbit/s. Optimal would be 320 kbit/s).

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

The recording should contain a programme of three pieces with a 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.

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

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

Documentation for the audio recording

– A letter stating that the applicant is the one playing in the recording, signed by an official insitution, sound engineer or piano professor. (.pdf, .jpg or .png)

Application fee

Application fee is 120 € and is non-refundable.

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

Other documents

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

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

Info about the preliminary judging

All audio files will be completely anonymized 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 2024.

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 rules for 2025 edition will be the following:

• Competitors in Category A must be born between 8th of March 2009 – 7th of March 2014.
• Competitors in Category B must be born between 8th of March 2003 – 7th of March 2009.
• As many participants as possible shall be offered the opportunity to stay with guest families in and near Aarhus during the competition period. Staying with guest families, participants are allowed to be accompanied by one family member.
• Each competitor is responsible for all costs that may be incurred by participation in the Competition.
• The Aarhus International Piano Competition is 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:

a) performances of works during the the whole Competition
b) performances of works during the concerts for participants and the final-concert
c) photographic and recorded images taken during participation in the Competition and the concerts. These rights are unlimited in time and space for the following purposes: recording, reproduction (all forms), trading, placing on computer memory, internet or other networks, public play-back and performance, exhibiting, screening, renting, leasing, broadcasting by wired or wireless sound or vision by terrestrial or satellite stations, simultaneous and integral radio and television transmission and retransmission.

• The Competition Repertoire must be played from memory.
• No appeal shall be possible against decisions by the Jury or by the Competition Directors.
• For reasons of competition planning the competitors are required to report in time.
• 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 claim to prizes; on such matters the Management of the Competition shall decide.
• All organizational decisions concerning the Competition remain the responsibility of the Competition Management. The Management reserves the right to make all final decisions in the event of any misunderstanding.
• For as long as pianists take part in the Competition they are not be allowed to have contact with, or speak with members of the Jury.
• In some cases foreign competitors will need visas. Applicants should consult the nearest Danish Embassy or Consulate for advice.
• By sending the application form the participants declare that they approve the terms and conditions mentioned in the regulations.

More on the official website.

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 €
• 4th prize: 2.500 €

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 Category B will be invited to perform with Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and Sønderjyllands Symphony Orchestra.

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

Audience Prize: 1,500 €

EMCY Prize