** The founders of the international competition for young pianists “Step towards Mastery” decided to postpone indefinitely the 13th edition of the competition (January 2023)
The competition was founded in 1995 and has consistently grown and become more international. The competition participants also profit from a cultural programme in the beautiful city of St Petersburg.
School of Arts for Children No. 4
Committee of Culture of St. Petersburg
Administration of the Frunzensky District of St. Petersburg
The participants should be aged up to 19 years old.
The competition has two rounds followed by final accompanied by orchestra.
Every two years
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competition
THE COMPETITION APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE:
1) Application form available on the Competition’s website («Competition» – «Application»);
2) Photocopy of an official document indicating date of birth;
3) Current photographs, including at least portrait photo, to be used in Competition publications (electronic version 300–600 dpi; accepted formats – jpg, gif, png, jpeg).
4) Video recording of the repertoire of the Competition’s qualification stage; the video image must show the pianist’s hands while playing and the right side of his/her whole figure, filmed with one camera without cuts during the performance of a piece. Volume control in the recording is not allowed. All pieces should be recorded in one place and at one time.
5) Proof of payment of the application fee of 10000 Rubles. The candidate’s name and the purpose of the payment should be indicated.
There are no restrictions in respect of the status of the participant (such as Musical School, Higher School, Academy, Conservatory or private education).
The partecipants should be aged up to 19 and divided in 3 age categories.
Category A – includes participants whose age shall be up to 11 years inclusive (born after 14 June, 2011),
Category B – from 12 to 15 years inclusive (born after 14 June, 2007),
Category C – from 16 to 19 years inclusive (born after 14 June, 2003).
CATEGORY A
1) The first round: several compositions contrasting by their character. The length of round no more than 10 minutes.
2) The second round: several pieces by the composers of different styles, including one piece of a composer of the participant’s country
and 1st movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, etc.). The length of round no more than more than 15 minutes.
The pieces may be performed in any order.
Should the contestant overrun the time limit, the Jury may stop his/her performance.
3) The third round: First movement of a piano concerto:
BACH – Concerto No 1 d minor BWV 1052
BACH – Concerto No 5 f minor BWV 1056
HAYDN – Concerto D major Hob. XVIII/II
MOZART – Concerto A major KV 414
BEETHOVEN – Concerto No 1 C major op.15
Comment: the candidate is free to choose the concerto also from the category B repertoire.
CATEGORY B
1) The first round: one virtuoso etude (Moszkowski, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Debussy, etc.), the 1st movement of a classical sonata
(Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven) and a polyphonic piece (Bach, Hendel, Corelli, Shostakovich, Shchedrin) chosen by participant. The length
of round no more than 20 minutes.
2) The second round: several pieces by the composers of different styles, including one piece of a composer of the participant’s
country. The length of round no more than 25 minutes.
The pieces may be performed in any order.
Should the contestant overrun the time limit, the Jury may stop his/her performance.
3) The third round: performance of the First movement of a piano concerto:
BEETHOVEN – Concerto No 3 c minor op. 37
BEETHOVEN – Concerto No 4 G major op. 58
MOZART – Concert No 20 d minor KV 466
MOZART – Concert No 21 С major KV 467
LIZT – Concerto No 1 E flat major
CHOPIN – Concerto No 1 e minor
GRIEG – Concerto a minor op. 16
RACHMANINOFF – Concerto No 2 c minor op.18
PROKOFIEV – Concerto No 1 D flat major
Comment: the candidate is free to choose the concerto also from the category C repertoire.
CATEGORY C
1) The first round: Prelude and fugue by Bach from WTC (Well-Tempered Clavier), classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven) and
two virtuoso studies (Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin). The length of round no more than 30 minutes.
The pieces may be performed in any order except the Etudes, which have to be played one after the other.
2) The second round: several pieces by the composers of different styles. The length of round no more than 40 minutes.
The pieces may be performed in any order.
Should the contestant overrun the time limit, the Jury may stop his/her performance.
3) The third round: First movement of a piano concerto:
BEETHOVEN – Concerto No 3 c minor op. 37
BEETHOVEN – Concerto No 4 G major op. 58
MOZART – Concert No 20 d minor KV 466
MOZART – Concert No 21 С major KV 467
SCHUMANN – Concerto No 1 a minor ор. 54
CHOPIN – Concerto No 1 e minor
TCHAIKOVSKY – Concerto No 1 h flat minor
RACHMANINOFF – Concerto No 2 c minor ор. 18
RACHMANINOFF – Concerto No3 d minor op. 30
PROKOFIEV – Concerto No 1 D flat major
Category A – 150 000 rubles
Category B – 250 000 rubles
Category C – 350 000 rubles
Grand prize – 250 000 rubles
Independently of the cash prizes, the following special prizes may be awarded:
• For the best performance of Rachmaninoff’s works
• Concert with a symphony orchestra for a contestant, noted by the jury members, on one of the best stages in St. Petersburg
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