The origins of the Stasys Vainiūnas Competition goes back to the competitions for young performers, held biannually in Vilnius from 1965, with the Piano Department of the Lithuanian State Conservatory as principal organizer.
Stasys Vainiūnas, celebrated Lithuanian composer, wonderful concert pianist, and pedagogue was one of the initiators of these competitions. He was Lithuania‘s first international competition laureate. In 1933 he won eighth place (out of 252 pianists) in Vienna, and earned an honorary diploma and the right to be called a laureate.
In seeking to perpetuate his memory and to popularize the legacy of his works, the Republic of Lithuania awarded Stasys Vainiūnas ‘name to a young pianist‘ competition. The first national Stasys Vainiūnas competition for pianists from tertiary and secondary art schools took place in 1989; the second national competition for young performers took place in 1991 – in his memory.
The competition took on international status in 1993, and was then organized by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Lithuania; as of 1996, it has been organized by the Ministry of Culture.
Starting in 2006 the Competition is open to pianists and chamber ensembles. The International Vainiūnas Competition is affiliated with the Alink-Argerich Foundation since 2011.
Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater
Center for International Cultural Projects and LMTA
The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities who are under 30, and to chamber ensembles whose all members’ average age is less than 35 years.
The competition has two or three rounds, depending on the category.
Every four years
competition
TBA 2026
TBA 2025
Registration will be executed through the professional music competition administration platform artistDB only.
You will be able to change and update all information you upload during the registration process until the end of the registration.
Registration fee:
For Pianist – 60 EUR
For Chamber Ensemble – 100 EUR
The fee is non-refundable. You will be able to pay by credit card, bank transfer, or PayPal. You will be provided with more detailed information during the registration process.
50 % Early Payment Discount will be given to those participants, who register and pay the participation fee by November 2025
For PIANISTS Competition will be held in three stages:
1st Round and 2nd Round will take place in The Great Hall of Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (main building, Gedimino ave. 42);
For CHAMBER ENSEMBLES Competition will be held in two stages:
The 1st Round will take place in The Chamber Hall of Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (second building, Tilto 16);
The Final Round will take place in The Great Hall of Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (main building, Gedimino ave 42.
The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities who were born in or after 01 January 1996, and to chamber ensembles whose all members’ average age is less than 35 years.
I Prize – 3000 Eur
II Prize – 2000 Eur
III Prize – 1000 Eur
3 Diplomas – 500 Eur each
Special prize for the best performance of S. Vainiūnas Piano Concerto in the Final – 500 Eur
Audience award established by Travel agency “Menų turas” (Tour of the Arts)
I Prize – 4000 Eur
II Prize – 3000 Eur
III Prize – 1500 Eur
3 Diplomas each – 500 Eur
Special prize for the best performance of S. Vainiūnas compositions in the I Round – 500 Eur
AUDRONĖ VAINIŪNAITĖ Prize – 600 Eur
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