Life of Guangzhou - The International Liszt Piano Competition

The International Franz Liszt Piano Competition is held every three years in Utrecht. This event has a reputation as one of the world's most prestigious piano competitions, and is also known for the thorough and professional support it offers young musicians.

The Competition is entirely devoted to the piano works of Franz Liszt. This exclusive approach and the Competition's programme of extensive career support, as well as the many international concert engagements it makes possible for its Prize winners, have given the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition a unique profile.

Another special feature of the Competition is the opportunity for participants to stay with host families in and near Utrecht during the Competition. A friendly and hospitable reception helps to create a warm atmosphere that serves as a counterbalance to the rigorous program. Thanks to this combination, the Competition has the reputation of being 'difficult-but-human.'

Previous Liszt Competition winners are Martyn van den Hoek (1986), Enrico Pace (1989), Sergey Pashkevich (1992), Igor Roma (1996), Masaru Okada (1999), Jean Dubé (2002), Yingdi Sun (2005) and Vitaly Pisarenko (2008).

The 9th Competition

15 June 2010 Deadline for application
15 July 2010 Candidates receive notification concerning admittance to the International Selection Rounds 2010
Sep 2010 International Selection Rounds in Shanghai, Moscow, Utrecht and New York
15 October 2010 Candidates receive notification concerning admittance to the 9th Liszt Competition
27 March - 9 April 2011 9th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition, Utrecht
27 March Reception and drawing of lots
29-31 March Quarter Finals
2-5 April Semi-Finals
8-9 April Finals
10 April 2011 Concert with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam
April-June 2011 Concert tour Prize winners in The Netherlands
2011-2013 International concert tour Prize winners

Prizes

First Prize: € 20,000
Second Prize: € 12,500
Third Prize: € 7,500
Press Prize: € 5,000
Henk de By Incentive Prize: € 3,000
F. van Lanschot Bankiers Audience Award: € 3,000

For a period of nearly three years, the Liszt Competition represents the Prize winners in the Netherlands and abroad and supports them in the role of concert manager as part of their career development programme. A large number of concert engagements are already booked prior to the start of the Competition for all the Competition's prize winners. The winner performs with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam the morning after the Finals. This concert is broadcast live on Radio 4.

All the prize winners also record one or more CD's that are distributed internationally. Prize winners of the Liszt Competition have had a large number of concert appearances in more than thirty different countries. Their tours have consisted of numerous recitals, concerts with leading orchestras and appearances at major music festivals

More information on www.liszt.nl