In 1968 a group of enthusiastic members of The Club of music associates and teachers of the former Folk School of Arts in Ústí nad Labem decided to organize a competition for young pianoplayers up to the age of 16. This intention was carefully prepared which illustrates the preserved correspondence to various institutions and industrial companies which were asked for cooperation and prizes for the winners. This effort of the organization committee whose head was the director of the music school Václav Šmerda resulted in participation of almost ninety contestants from all over the Czech Republic. The tradition was established and many new generations continue in organizing and competing at Virtuosi.
Although the competition organizers expected foreign participants already in the second year of the competition, the first young pianoplayers from abroad (Hungary and Estonia) came as late as in 1971. At that time a big difference in young talents‘ preparation between former Czechoslovakia and foreign countries appeared. Nearly professionally prepared foreign participants won all main prizes, Czech and Slovak competitors got only the third prizes and honorary mentions.
The piano competition was associated with various ideological anniversaries from its beginning. This stance went so far that the sixth year (1975) evaluation contained a recommendation block participants from the western Europe countries take part of the competition. But it is necessary to say the participants coming from the eastern block brought a high standard of piano playing and pre-contest preparation. Since 1990 the competition has been released from all ideological views and the competition quality has retained the high standard from previous years.
Finally, it is proper to thank to competition promoters who fund the international piano competition every year. The above mentioned proclaimers are The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of The Czech Republic and the City of Ústí nad Labem. It is thirty years since the competition participants have been playing first time the concert grand piano of the brand PETROF.
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the Elementary Art School by Eva Randová, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
Intended for young pianists up to the age of 16.
The competition consists of two rounds and is divided into age categories, with the youngest category being only a single round.
Participants compete in four categories
Category I – contestants up to 9 years of age
Category II – contestants 10 and 11 years old
Category III – contestants 12 and 13 years old
Category IV – contestants 14 and 15 years old
September 24, 2025.
Each applicant must:
1. fill in an e-application. Available on https://www.zuserandove.cz/virtuosi/ Deadline is September 24, 2025.
2. pay the competition fee – € 60 or CZK 1. 500 until September 30, 2025
The entry fee should be credited to the following account number:
Czechoslovak Commercial Bank
Account Number: 259564382
The Code of This Bank: 0300
Variable Symbol: Date of Birth Contestant (DDMMYYYYY)
IBAN: CZ94 0300 0000 0002 5956 4382
SWIFT COD: CEKOCZPP (BIC)
Message for Recipient: full name of the Contestant
Recipient:
Základní umělecká škola Evy Randové
W. Churchilla 4
400 01 Ústí nad Labem
Czech Republic
Phone: (+420) 475 211 914
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The Competition is international, for participants younger than 16 years of age (Participants, who are not yet 16 years old on the day of the first round of the Competition in the relevant competition year. To reach the age of 16 is the day following the birthday), who comply with the Competition Regulations, pay the participation fee and send a valid application form. The Competition Regulations are available on the following website: www.virtuosi-ipc.com or www.zuserandove.cz/virtuosi
Basic information about the Competition is also included in a leaflet obtainable by post on request from:
Základní umělecká škola Evy Randové
W. Churchilla 4
400 01 Ústí nad Labem
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 475 211 914
2. Participants compete in four categories according to age of the competition’s initial day:
Category I – contestants up to 9 years of age
Category II – contestants 10 and 11 years old
Category III – contestants 12 and 13 years old
Category IV – contestants 14 and 15 years old
The decisive factor for placement in the category is the contestant’s age on the day of the Competition’s first round.
The number of categories may be changed and published by the organizer for the relevant year of the competition no later than six months before the date of the 1st round of the competition.
3. Participants can sign up for the competition:
4. Participants are invited to participate in the competition mainly by electronic application form available on www.virtuosi-ipc.com or www.zuserandove.cz/virtuosi
Mandatory part of the competition application is the date of birth. In case of doubt about the age of the contestant, he/she will prove his/her identity and age by presenting a valid ID card, passport or birth certificate if requested by a member of the Organizing Committee.
5. By submitting the application, the participant agrees to process his or her personal data.
6. The amount of the participation fee is determined by the Organizing Committee of the Competition and published on the competition website.
II. COMPETITION TERMS
1. The competition is one-round only for the Category I
The contestants will present a composition or compositions from the period the Baroque to the Classicism and a composition or compositions from Romantic period to the compositions of contemporary authors
2. For other categories, the competition is two-rounds
3. The order of the performances (contestants) of the first round shall be determined by the drawing by the chairperson of the international jury at a public ceremony on the eve of the competition.
4. Performance durations are limited as follows in both rounds. It is usually divided as follows for individual categories:
|
Ist Category |
contestants up to 9 years of age | 4–8 minutes – only one round |
|
IInd Category |
contestants 10 and 11 years old | 5–7 minutes – Ist Round 5–7 minutes – IInd Round |
|
IIIIrd Category |
contestants 12 and 13 years old | 6–8 minutes – Ist Round 6–8 minuest – IInd Round |
|
IVth Category |
contestants 14 and 15 years old | 7–9 minutes – Ist Round 7–9 minutes – IInd Round |
5. Whenever the performer exceeds the time limit, the Jury Chairperson is entitled to stop the contestant’s performance.
In the case of interpretation of only one, indivisible composition, the time limit may exceptionally be exceeded.
6. If the time limit violation is serious, the contestant may be disqualified and his/her performance may not be marked by the Jury.
7. The Jury Chairperson also has the right to terminate an evidently improperly prepared performance.
8. Prize winners in individual categories are entitled to participate in the Concert of Winners. The program of the concert is prepared by the Jury.
9. Both competition rounds as well as the Concert of Winners are open to the public.
I. category – the contestants compete only in one round in the timeout 6—8 minutes
The contestants will present a composition or compositions
from the period the Baroque to the Classicism and a composition or compositions
from Romantic period to the compositions of contemporary authors
II. category – the contestants compete in two rounds, timeout for each round is 5—7 minutes
In the first round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
dating back to the period between the Baroque to the Classicism.
In the second round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
from the Romantic period to the compositions of contemporary authors.
III. category – the contestants compete in two rounds, timeout for each round is 7—9 minutes
In the first round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
dating back to the period between the Baroque to the Classicism.
In the second round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
from the Romantic period to the compositions of contemporary authors.
IV. category – the contestants compete in two rounds, timeout for each round is 7—9 minutes
In the first round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
dating back to the period between the Baroque to the Classicism.
In the second round the contestants will present a composition or compositions
from the Romantic period to the compositions of contemporary authors.
Changes in the competition program are permitted and must be announced at the venue of the competition at least one hour before the competitor’s performance.
Main prize for the absolute winner of the competition.This price is financial and subject to tax according to the applicable tax regulations of the Czech Republic.
Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte
