Piano Competition 2025  –  Rules

International Piano Competition „PRO PIANO–ROMANIA” – HYBRID

the XXIXth Edition, June 11 – 14, 2025

PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION

at Concert Hall – ARCUB, LIPSCANI Str, no 84-90, Bucharest

” General Rules” – PHISICAL

I. About Competition

The International Piano Competition “Pro Piano – Romania”, was initited and organized by the Cultural Foundation  „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA” in 1997. Since then, this  competition has been a great success. Now, we already  reached the 29th edition. Thank you very much for your support!

The annual „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA”” International Piano Contest is open to young pianists of all nationalities, with ages between 6 and 30 ( born after January 1st  1995), who are able to achieve remarkable performances and are eager to estimate their technical and artistic abilities in an international context.

II. The Competition has 4 sections: 

A – Junior(with 4 categories), B – Secondary(with 8 categories), C Professional and D (four hands on a  piano). There are additional subdivisions into categories, depending on the year of birth of the competitors:

SECTION A – Junior (one stage) :

Category A1 – born in 2018 (and after)

Category A2 – 2017

Category A3 – 2016

Category A4 – 2015

Piano repertoire (three pieces):

  • one piano study;
  • two pieces in different style (pre-classical/baroque piece, classical, romantic, modern or Romanian). 

SECTION  B – 8 categories (two stages). The specified minutes is the maximum allowed for stage two (for stage one, there is no mandatory limited timing).

First Category born in 2014 –  10 minutes maximum for stage two;

Second Category– born in 2013;

Third Category – born in 2012;

Fourth Category– born in 2011;

Fifth Category– born in 2010 – 15 minutes maximum for stage two;

Sixth Category– born in 2009;

Seventh Category– born in 2008 –20 minutes maximum for stage two;

Eighth Category– born in 2007-2006

Section B  Piano Repertoire (two stages):

First stage (eliminatory examination):

  1. one piano study
  2. a pre-classical/ baroque piece: Bach, Haendel, Scarlatti, Rameau etc. In the case of Suites or Partites – only two or three parts.

Second stage:

  • a classical piece (J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven., M. Clementi): Sonata( only first part), or theme with variations, or Rondo(a stand-alone piece, not a sonata part)
  • a romantic, modern or romanian piece (only one of your choise)

Section C – (two stages) born after 1995

Piano Repertoire:

First stage (eliminatory examination):

  • two virtuosity studies  OR two pieces of great technical difficulty: Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Rahmaninov, Debussy, Skriabin, Prokofiev, etc
  • a pre-classical/ baroque piece: if is J. S. Bach – Preludes and Fugues or two or three moves (parts) from Suites or Partitas

Second stage (final round of the competition) – thirty minutes maximum

  • Recital with pieces of your choice: to choose(for 30 minutes) between classical sonata, romantic piece, modern piece (from the universal or romanian repertoire) 

You can compete and in two categories: the age of the competitor and a higher category, but with different repertoires.

SECTION  D – Four-handed ensemble on a piano – one stage

First Category – born between 2018 (and after) – 2015

Second Category – born between 2014– 2006 

Third Category – born between 2005– 1995 (as an age, one of the partners may exceed the limit by one or two years, on the condition the other is up to 30 years).

Piano Repertoire for section D: pieces of your own choise, with the following maximum length:                                                                 first category – 10 minutes  / second category – 15 minutes  / third category – 25 minutes

The order of entry in the competition is alphabetical for each age category.

The candidates can choose the order of interpretation of the pieces. All the pieces must be memorized (played without using sheet music). In case of exceeding the maximum duration set for second stage, the jury reserves the right to interrupt the candidate’s performance. All evidence is public.

III. REGISTRATION :

Registering procedure: only online, par e-mail propiano@gmail.com

The registration shall include 3 documents:  1. Application form,   2. the receipt certifying the participation fee.    3. Copy of birth certificate or ID/Passport, that will be sent(all together) through the e-mail address: propiano@gmail.com :

  1. Application form  (located on the Website: http://www.propiano.org/english/competition/  Piano Competition 2025  – Registration)

This Application form which will be completed with all the required data and definitive repertoire.

Please be careful and enter your names correctly (if it contains diacritics), This is how is going to be written on your diploma!

For section D (four hands) the names of both performers will be registered on the same form (with the respective data).

2. The receipt certifying the following payment of the participation fee: for category A – 80 EURO; category B – 90 EURO;  category C – 100 EURO;  category D – 100 EURO(50/person), payable only by Bank transfer,  to the account opened at BCR sector 3, Bucharest, Romania, IBAN Code: RO65RNCB0074029148620010, SWIFT CODE: RNCBROBU, for: Stela Avesalon. You  must specify, on the payment order: the Name of the competitor and Contest name  PRO PIANO

In case of withdrawal or non-participation, the donation will not be returned (for any reason ).

 3. Copy of birth certificate or ID/Passport

Only complete will be registered, with the three documents (separate references are not allowed).

You will receive a receipt no later than two days after sending! If you do not receive confirmation, please report it to us (it means the documents have not been received).

The nominal list of those enrolled will be posted on the website on June 1st (in the evening) in the third link Piano Competition 2025  –  Schedule.  If there are any mistakes in names or omissions, please report them, but only by SMS or e-mail (not by phone).

IV. To follow the data:

  1. Registration – until 30th of May, 2025;
  2. Displaying participants list – 1st  of June 2025:
  3. The schedule for the competition presentation – 3rd of June 2025( at night).

Other important competition data:

  • The entry in the competition is alphabetical order for each age category!
  • The candidates can choose the order of interpretation of the pieces.
  • All the pieces must be memorized (played without using sheet music).
  • In case of exceeding the maximum duration set for second stage, the jury reserves the right to interrupt the candidate’s performance.
  • All evidence is public.
  • Transportation, accommodation and meals will be covered by the participants exclusively.

V. AWARDS:

  • TROPHY – THE GRAND PRIZE of the „Pro Piano – Romania” International Competition
  • Diplomas and medals for all categoriesFive awards in each category, including the first Excellence Award;
  • Special awards ;The prize for the exceptional interpretation of a Romanian piece or another piece from the presented repertoire;
  • „GEORGETA  SANDU” Award;
  • Even if they did not qualified for the second stage or received a prize, all participants will receive a Participation Diploma (upon request).
  • All the prizes for this competition will given to the winners in person during the awards ceremony that will take place on June 14th, 2025, 11,00 AM at ARCUB.

All laureates are required to arrive wearing gala attire at the awards ceremony (please note this is a mandatory rule in order to be accepted in the group).

Special warnings: in case of personal non-presentation at the gala, it is mandatory to delegate another person to pick up the prize. This person will represent and sign for receiving the prize in the name of the competitor. The Foundation will not offer other opportunities to collect the prize (in person or mail if not received during gala).

VI. THE JURY

of the competition will include Romanian and international music personalities. The Jury decision are final and indisputable.

By entering in the competition, all candidates are accepting these rules and the authority of the jury. For any audio-video recordings, competitors will not be able to request/ claim any fees or payments.

Further information can be obtained at:  

Mobile phone: +40722.382. 626 (outside the 14:00 – 17:00 hours)

E-mail : propiano@gmail.com

Web page: www.propiano.org

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” General Rules” – ONLINE

General Rules FOR ONLINE PARTICIPANS

International Piano Competition „PRO PIANO – ROMANIA”,  the XXIXth Edition, June 11 – 14, 2025

1. About Competition:  

The International Piano Competition “Pro Piano – Romania”, was initited and organized by the Cultural Foundation  „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA” in 1997. Since then, this  competition has been a great success. Now, we already  reached the 29th edition.

The annual „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA” International Piano Contest is open to young pianists of all nationalities, with ages between 6 and 30 ( born after January 1st  1995), who are able to achieve remarkable performances and are eager to estimate their technical and artistic abilities in an international context.

The Competition has 4 sections: 

A – Junior(with 4 categories), B – Secondary(with 8 categories), C Professional and D (four hands on a  piano). There are additional subdivisions into categories, depending on the year of birth of the competitors:

SECTION A – Junior (one stage) :

Category A1 – born in 2018 (and after) – maximum 10 minutes

Category A2 – 2017

Category A3 – 2016 – maximum 12  minutes

Category A4 – 2015

REPERTOIRE: three pieces:

  • one piano study;
  • two pieces in different style (pre-classical/baroque piece, classical, romantic, modern or Romanian). 

SECTION  B – 8 categories (two stages). The specified minutes is the maximum allowed for stage two (for stage one, there is no mandatory limited timing).

First Category born in 2014 –  15 minutes maximum for stage two;

Second Category– born in 2013;

Third Category – born in 2012;

Fourth Category– born in 2011;

Fifth Category– born in 2010 – 20 minutes maximum for stage two;

Sixth Category– born in 2009;

Seventh Category– born in 2008 –25 minutes maximum for stage two;

Eighth Category– born in 2007-2006

Section B  – REPERTOIRE: two stages:

First stage (eliminatory examination):

  1. one piano study
  2. a pre-classical/ baroque piece: Bach, Haendel, Scarlatti, Rameau etc. In the case of Suites or Partites – only two or three parts.

Second stage:

  • a classical piece (J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, M Clementi): Sonata( only first part), or theme with variations, or Rondo(a stand-alone piece, not a sonata part)
  • a romantic, modern or romanian piece (only one of your choise)

SECTION C – two stage- born after 1995

REPERTOIRE:

First stage (eliminatory examination):

  • two virtuosity studies  OR two pieces of great technical difficulty: Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Rahmaninov, Debussy, Skriabin, Prokofiev, etc
  • a pre-classical/ baroque piece: if is J. S. Bach – Preludes and Fugues or two or three moves (parts) from Suites or Partitas

Second stage (final round of the competition) – 30 minutes maximum

Recital with pieces of your choice: to choose(for 30 minutes) between classical sonata, romantic piece, modern piece (from the universal or romanian repertoire).You can compete and in two categories: the age of the competitor and a higher category, but with different repertoires.

SECTION  D – Four-handed ensemble on a piano – one stage

First Category – born between 2018 (and after) – 2015

Second Category – born between 2014– 2006 

Third Category – born between 2005– 1995 (as an age, one of the partners may exceed the limit by one or two years, on the condition the other is up to 30 years).

REPERTOIRE for section D: pieces of your own choise, with the following maximum length:                                                                 first category – 10 minutes  / second category – 15 minutes  / third category – 25 minutes

II. REGISTRATION – until May 30, 2025

To register you must send (until 30 May 2025), the following 4 documents, filled in the same email, to the adress: propiano@gmail.com :           1. Registration form (in editable excel), 2. Copy of birth certificate or ID/Passport,  3. Proof of payment of the participation fee –  donation and 4. The youtube link – video.

  1. Registration form (in editable excel –  chosse the correct  entry form: ONLINE    or     PHISICAL presence, located on the Website: http://www.propiano.org/english/competition/  Piano Competition 2025  – Registration) and filled in with all the required information and definitive repertoire. For section D (4 hands) the names of both partners will be written on a single form (with the respective data). This Application form which will be completed with all the required data. Please be careful and enter your names correctly (if it contains diacritics), This is how is going to be written on your diploma!

2. Copy of birth certificate or ID/Passport

3. Proof  of  payment (donation): for category A – 80 EURO; category B – 90 EURO;  category C – 100 EURO;  category D – 100 EURO(50/person), payable only by Bank transfer,  to the account opened at BCR sector 3, Bucharest, Romania, IBAN Code: RO65RNCB0074029148620010, SWIFT CODE: RNCBROBU, for: Stela Avesalon. You  must specify, on the payment order: the Name of the competitor and Contest name  PRO PIANO.   For section A and D – please send for both competitors, not separately.

In case of withdrawal or non-participation, the donation will not be returned (for any reason ).

Only complete will be registered, with the three documents (separate references are not allowed).

You will receive a receipt no later than two days after sending! If you do not receive confirmation, please report it to us (it means the documents have not been received).

4. Link with with the filming of the participant’s repertoire, uploaded to your personal (public) You Tube account. Filming must be done with the phone horizontally, positioned right behind the performer and  placed on a stand (so as not to move), and in filming it must to seen the whole body of the performer and the piano. All pieces from the video-repertoire will be sent or in a single file, or separated, but all must have the 3 mentions:  the competitor’s name and surname , the category (ex. A2, B3, etc.) and the composer and piece name.          Clearer, how should a competitor proceed? After filming with his phone (or other device), put the movie into your You Tube account, with the public option – (not privat), and send the resulting link address by e-mail, including name- surname, category and repertoire registered. After receiving your documents, we will confirm this receipt also by email. If you do not receive our confirmation, please notify us(it means we did not receive your documents).

Important informations:  Registration – until 30th of May, 2025 and  Displaying participants list – 1st  of June 2025                               The nominal list of those enrolled will be posted on the website on June 1st (in the evening) in the third link Piano Competition 2025,  Schedule.  If there are any mistakes in names or omissions, please report them, but only by SMS or e-mail (not by phone).

III. AWARDS: 

Diplomas for Prizes I, II, III, IV, V(each category), including the First Prize of Excellence; numerous Special Prizes, such as: for the interpretation of the repertoire or only of a certain piece from the repertoire, for musicality, technical realization, for the best interpretation of a Romanian piece. There are also: – TROPHY (GRAND PRIZE) of the International Competition „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA” 2025               –  “Georgeta Sandu” Award,offered by pianist Constantin Sandu – Porto/ Portugal –                       – „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA” Award, offered by Cultural Foudation „PRO PIANO-ROMANIA”- Stela Avesalon

The prizes will be announced in the Schedule link (3rd link of the Piano Contest 2025 page). The diplomas will be sent online, by e-mail, to each competitor, in the following week.

The competition jury will include music personalities and will be announced after registration closes! The Jury decision are final and indisputable. By entering in the competition, all candidates are accepting these rules and the authority of the jury. For any audio-video recordings, competitors will not be able to request/ claim any fees or payments.

Further information can be obtained at:   Mobile phone: +40722.382. 626 (outside the 14:00 – 17:00 hours)

E-mail : propiano@gmail.com    /     Web page: www.propiano.org