From Indonesia to Canada
Young virtuosos from all over the world come to Weimar for the 6th International FRANZ LISZT Competition | Young Pianists
A total of 51 participants from 21 countries around the world have announced their participation: the sixth edition of the International FRANZ LISZT Competition | Young Pianists is once again looking for promising prize winners. From 25 October to 5 November 2023, the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar invites the keyboard virtuosos of the future in categories I (up to 13 years) and II (14 to 17 years) to a challenging competition in the city of culture.
There are 23 entries in the youngest category, and 28 in category II, who will be coming from far-away countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and China, from Canada, the USA and from all over Europe.
An eight-member international jury chaired by Weimar piano professor Grigory Gruzman will judge the interpretations of Bach preludes, Haydn sonatas, Liszt etudes and Bartók pieces, among others. In addition, the second round will include piano trios by Mozart and Mendelssohn. In the finale, piano concertos by Haydn or Grieg are to be mastered.
At the end, there are main prizes worth a total of more than 10,000 euros, as well as a Grand Prix and prizes from the Junior Jury, which will again judge parallel to the main jury. All main prizes are donated by the Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen, many special prizes by the NEW LISZT FOUNDATION.
All three rounds of judging in the Festsaal Fürstenhaus are open to the public with free admission. At the final concert of the competition, the prize-winners will perform with a large orchestra on Sunday, 5 November at 5 p.m. in the Weimarhalle. Tickets are available in advance for 20 euros (reduced rate 15 euros) at the Tourist Information Office in Weimar and at the box office. The orchestra of the Music High School Schloss Belvedere will play together with musicians of the Staatskapelle Weimar under the direction of Joan Pagès Valls.
The competition is organised by the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar. together with the Music High School Schloss Belvedere as its centre for highly gifted students.
The International FRANZ LISZT Competition | Young Pianists was launched in 2005 as literally the youngest competition of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar. Similar to the Weimar International LOUIS SPOHR Competition | Young Violinists, its aim is to provide an international platform for highly talented young instrumentalists: In Weimar, the musicians are to meet at eye level, compare their performance levels and learn from each other.
For decades, the competition's namesake, Franz Liszt, lived and taught in Weimar, first in the Altenburg (1848 to 1861), then later in the former court nursery, today's Liszt House (1869 to 1886). Every summer he gathered a select group of young pianists from all over the world, to whom he gave free master classes and unforgettable impulses.
It was always the endeavour of the great composer, pianist, conductor and visionary to provide the best possible training conditions for the next generation. The International FRANZ LISZT Competition | Young Pianists is also committed to this legacy.
Further information: www.hfm-weimar.de/liszt-junior
[15. September 2023]