Piano Competition

(Pro Piano Romania Cultural Foundation)

The Pro Piano Romania International Piano Competition

 

Our mission is to identify, nurture, and inspire the instrumental talents of young pianists. This competition features a unique structure, organized by age group and held annually in June.

Objectives:

  • To establish a professional-level competition as an essential component of comprehensive artistic training.
  • To evaluate the standards of our national music schools within an international context.
  • To foster artistic exchange and collaboration between national and international music schools.
  • To promote a positive image of our country by offering competitors the opportunity to visit, explore, and create lasting memories here.

The Structure:
Our piano interpretation competition is divided into four sections: A, B, C, and D. The final section, D, features four-hand performances on the same piano. Sections A and B are further divided into 4 and 8 categories, respectively, based strictly on age, with each year representing a distinct category. This detailed structure ensures a precise and fair evaluation, accurately reflecting the true artistic value of each competitor.

What Makes This Competition Special:
The uniqueness of this competition lies in its carefully designed structure and innovative features.

  1. Distinctive Age-Based Sections:
    • Section A: Participants aged 6–10 years.
    • Section B: Participants aged 10–18 years.
    • Section C: Participants aged 19–30 years.
    • Section D: Open to all ages, featuring four-hand performances on the same piano.
  2. Varied Stages for Each Section:
    • Sections A and D: One stage.
    • Section B: Two stages.
    • Section C: Three stages.
      While Section D has only one stage, its inclusion of four-hand performances is an original and rare feature not found in other competitions.
  3. Enhanced Evaluation System:
    Unlike many international competitions that group competitors of different ages together, our structure ensures age-appropriate categories for fair and accurate assessments.
  4. Comprehensive Awards System:
    • One Grand Prize.
    • Five prizes for each category (including ties, if necessary).
    • Numerous special and sponsor-backed awards.

This structure, combined with its originality, ensures a competition experience that is both inspiring and equitable for all participants.

Venues:
The first 17 editions of the competition were hosted in prestigious locations, including the “Auditorium” at the National Museum of Art, “ArCuB,” and the Romanian Athenaeum. These events were held annually in June, providing a beautiful and inspiring setting for the performances.

Participation and Reach:
Over its 17 editions, the competition has attracted more than 2,245 participants from 31 countries, showcasing its international appeal. Countries represented include Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, China, South Korea, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, the USA, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Uzbekistan, and Romania.

The second edition was the largest to date, bringing together 190 exceptional competitors, setting a benchmark for future events.

The Jury:
The jury comprises distinguished personalities from Romania and the international musical community. Members include renowned pianists, musicologists, and composers from countries such as Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, the USA, and Romania.

Expected Outcomes:
The competition aims to discover unique talents, nurture their artistic growth, and support their national and international careers. Many Grand Prize winners have successfully established themselves in the international music scene. Below are a few notable examples:

  • Alexandru Timofeev – Republic of Moldova (1997)
  • Anca Lacea – Romania (1998)
  • Lucian Velciu – Romania (2001)
  • Mariusz Adamczak – Poland (2002)
  • Sebastian Shwan – Romania (2003)
  • Kana Kashihara – Japan (2008)
  • Ekaterina Shishkina – Russia, Moscow (2011)

This legacy highlights the competition’s role as a launchpad for extraordinary talents, enabling them to shine on the world stage.

Videoclip:  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xab8×9_theodor-dumitru-on-bucharest-music