11th International FRANZ LISZT Competition Weimar - Bayreuth | Piano

Franz Liszt was one of the most outstanding piano virtuosos of his time. He was not only a technically brilliant pianist, but also an innovative composer who revolutionised the piano repertoire. Liszt was one of the first musicians to give solo concertos and thus laid the foundation for the modern piano concerto. His piano playing was characterised by passion, virtuosity and an extraordinary expressiveness.

The "International FRANZ LISZT Competition Weimar - Bayreuth | Piano" honours the legacy of Franz Liszt and promotes young talents who want to follow in his footsteps. The competition attracts pianists from all over the world and offers them the opportunity to present their repertoire and skills in front of an international jury and an enthusiastic audience.

The name Franz Liszt stands for the highest pianistic excellence and musical dedication. Participants from all over the world are encouraged to interpret Liszt's music in their programme and to embody his technical brilliance and emotional expression. The competition upholds and develops the musical tradition of Franz Liszt and provides a platform for young pianists to develop their talent and advance their careers.

Why Weimar & Bayreuth?

Come for the competition. Follow in Liszt’s footsteps. Experience the places that shaped his legacy.

The Franz Liszt Piano Competition Weimar–Bayreuth takes place in two cities that are inseparably connected with Franz Liszt. Weimar and Bayreuth were both important places in Liszt’s life and artistic work – and together they tell a unique story of his legacy.

Liszt spent some of his most influential years in Weimar, where he worked as a conductor, composer and teacher and turned the city into a vibrant center of European musical life. His years in Weimar were marked by artistic innovation, encounters with leading composers and musicians, and his commitment to a new generation of artists.

In Bayreuth, Liszt’s close connection with Richard Wagner became an important part of his legacy. He returned to the city repeatedly and remained deeply connected to its musical life. Today, Bayreuth and Weimar preserve two important places of Liszt’s artistic heritage.

For the participants, the competition therefore offers more than an opportunity to perform at an international level. It brings them into direct contact with the places, ideas and musical traditions that shaped one of the most influential pianists and musical thinkers of the 19th century.

At the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, Liszt’s legacy continues in a living institution dedicated to artistic excellence, individual development and musical innovation. The competition connects this living tradition with Bayreuth’s extraordinary musical heritage – creating a unique setting for pianists from around the world.

The competition brings you to Weimar and Bayreuth. But these are not simply venues: they are places where Liszt’s musical legacy can still be experienced today.