The competition started in 1997 by the initiative of the Ambassador of Poland in Estonia Mr.J. Wolansiewicz and in Narva began the tradition to hold here the competition for young pianists of Estonian music schools that is devoted to the famous Polish composer F. Chopin. As the first competition was very successful, in 1999 it was decided to organise the 1st International competition with participation of the young musicians from the states around the Baltic Sea (Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland and Russia). The supporters of the competition were the Municipality of Narva, the Ministry of Culture of Estonian Republic, the Embassies of Poland, Polish Radio and Television and private enterprises.
Narva Municipality
The participants should be aged up to 18 years old and divided in 3 age categories.
Two or three rounds depending on age category.
Every two years
TBA 2025
TBA November 2024
competition
To get registered, each competitor should send the following:
• registration form, completed legibly in printed letters without abbreviations, in Estonian, English or Russian language,
• photocopy of passport, for visa to Estonia copy of the first page of the passport,
• 9×12 color photo in digital format
• a link to performance on YouTube with two compositions recorded in the period 01.10.2022-15.11.2022.
The video contains:
1. Virtuoso etude by choice (may not be included in the competition program),
2. The work of Chopin – participant’s choice (from the competition program).
The registration documents that are not properly completed will not be accepted!
Program changes will be accepted until 25.11.2022. The program should follow the order of execution of the competition.
The competition is open for young Pianists from every nation. The competition is conducted within three age groups:
The participant’s age is fixed on the opening day of the competition. The Grand Prix laureates and the first prize winners of the previous Chopin competition in Narva are not permitted to take part in Chopin competition in 2023 if they remain in the same age group.
The program should strictly follow the order of execution of the competition: it is not allowed to change the program works, to transfer from one tour to another, to repeat works. In this case, the participant will not be rated by the jury.
Age Group I
First Round
1. Composition by either a 20th century or a 21st century composer of the participant’s home country.
2. F.Chopin. One of Polonaises or Ecossaises op.72 or one of Waltzes.
3. F.Chopin. Composition of the competitor’s own choice.
Duration of performance: 8-10 minutes.
Second Round
1. J.S.Bach. Small Prelude or Fugue or Invention for two or three voices.
2. F.Chopin. One of the following compositions:
Nocturne of the competitor’s own choice
Short Waltz a-moll
Short Waltz Es-dur
Cantabile
Album Leaf
Fugue a-moll
Mazurka C-dur op.33 no.3
Mazurka a-moll op.67 no.4
Mazurka F-dur op.68 no.3
Mazurkas g-moll op.24 no.1, C-dur no.2, h-moll op.30 no.2
3. F. Chopin. Composition of the competitor’s own choice.
Duration of performance: 10-12 minutes
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Age Group II
First Round
1. J.S.Bach. Prelude and a Fugue – WTC (Well-Tempered Clavier).
2. F.Chopin. Polonaise chosen by the competitor (except for g-moll op.posth., B-dur op. posth, AS-dur op.posth) or one Nocturne.
3. F.Chopin. Virtuoso Etude of the competitor’s own choice (except for no. 3, no. 6 op.10, no. 7 op.25).
Duration of performance: up to 20 minutes.
Second Round
1. Composition by any Estonian composer of the competitor’s own choice
2. F.Chopin. One of the following compositions:
Variations B-dur op.12
Variations E-dur op.posth.
Tarantella op.43
Impromptu As-dur op.29
Impromptu Fis-dur op.36
Impromptu Ges-dur op.51
Impromptu-Fantasie cis-moll op.66
Bolero op.19
Waltz of the competitor’s own choice (except for Small Waltz a-moll op.posth, Small Waltz Es-dur op.posth, Waltz As-dur op.posth).
3. F.Chopin. Composition of the competitor’s own choice.
Duration of performance: up to 25 minutes.
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Age Group III
First Round
1. Classical major form (I part – Sonata-Allegro form: J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven. Performance without repetitions).
2. F.Chopin. Virtuoso Etude of the competitor’s own choice.
3. F.Chopin. Composition (compositions) of the competitor’s own choice.
Duration of performance: up to 25 minutes.
Second Round
1. F.Chopin. One-part long composition (Ballade, Scherzo, Fantasy f-moll, one of Polonaises: op.22, 44, 53, 61)
2. F.Chopin. One of Concertos for Piano and Orchestra: either part I or parts II and III (with piano accompaniment).
Duration of performance: 25-30 minutes
Third Round
1. F.Chopin. One of Concertos for Piano and Orchestra: either part I or parts II and III (symphony orchestra accompaniment).
Transcriptions are not performed.
Compositions performed in the first round can not be repeated in the second one. Exceeding the time of the performance is not allowed. In this case, the jury has the right to suspend performance of the participant. Composition (s), that were played at the previous Chopin competitions in Narva and obtained a jury estimate, are not allowed to perform. To participate in each round there is opportunity to provide acoustic rehearsals (15-30 minutes), as well as time for practicing in classes. Accompanist is provided on a contractual basis.
The laureates of I, II, and III prizes will be awarded with Diplomas and valuable gifts given by sponsors. Awards, diplomas, gifts for participants and their teachers are awarded personally. Narva City Government and other sponsors will award special diplomas, prizes, and monetary rewards.
According to the results of the competition the Jury can reward:
9 Diplomas (3 diplomas in each age group) and nominations:
„The best performer of F.Chopin’s work” – 1 diploma
„The best performer of J.S.Bach’s work” – 1 diploma
„For artistry and inspiration” – 1 diploma
„The best performer of own country” – 1 diploma
Diploma „Promising young performer” – 1 diploma
The participants are given thank you letter. Participants of the second round – diplomas of the participant of the second round. At the awards ceremony and the final concert – the uniform is festal. 04.02.2023 – Prize-Winners’ Concert, 05.02.2023 – trip to Tallinn. Prize-Winners’ Concert at the Concert hall «Estonia». Participating of the First prize and Grand Prix winners in the final concert is obligatory. The award winners must perform gratis in the final concert. All the rights to the audio and video recordings of the participants` performances belong to the Organizing Committee.
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