Épinal International Piano Competition

Règlement & répertoire

Inscription & droits

• Apply online by 30 November 2026. Eligible birth dates: after 21 March 1996 and before 13 March 2011. Upload a passport or ID copy, French or English CV, recent artistic photo and a single YouTube link. Provide teacher, school and emergency-contact information, and guardian authorization if applicable. The public requirements do not list recommendation letters.
• Bank transfer: €80 for screening, or €120 with the screening exemption for finalists of a WFIMC member competition held after 1 January 2024. Exempt candidates submit evidence. Other selected candidates confirm and pay €40 by 15 January 2027. Use the applicant’s name on transfers and supply proof as directed. The list of up to 85 invitees is due from 20 December 2026.

Tours & durées

Video preselection · max. 15 min

• Record one movement of a Classical sonata by Beethoven, Clementi, Haydn or Mozart, plus one étude of your choice. The English rules call for a fast movement, while the French rules and programme say one movement. Use a fixed camera with face and hands continuously visible. Two unedited takes can be joined into one upload. Put titles in the YouTube description and submit one link accessible throughout screening.

Rounds 1 and 2 · 13–17 March · five entries split across two recitals

• Across Round 1 (max. 20 min) and Round 2 (max. 35 min), assign exactly these five entries in any order: (1) one Bach Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier; (2) one Chopin étude Op. 10 or 25; (3) one étude by a different composer; (4) one Romantic work or same-opus suite composed in 1820–1899 and lasting 7–30 min; (5) one complete sonata by Beethoven, Clementi, Haydn, Mozart or Schubert, with repeats optional. Leave time unused if needed.

Semifinal · 19 March · 40–50 min

• Free recital with two required items: Christian Lauba’s commissioned Intermezzo (about 5:30, score sent after registration and payment), plus a work by a French composer written in the 17th through 21st centuries.

Final · 21 March · one concerto · four finalists

• Choose one concerto: Mozart No. 21 K. 467, Beethoven No. 4 Op. 58, Chopin No. 2 Op. 21, Liszt No. 2 S. 125, Ravel G major, or Prokofiev No. 3 Op. 26. Rehearsal is on 20 March.

Répertoire

• No repeats across live rounds. Video repertoire may be reused live. Memorize everything except the commissioned work. Email programme changes by 15 February 2027. Bring ID for in-person registration 12 March, 13:00–17:00; the first three rounds share the drawn order. Host-family housing may be requested at application, subject to availability.

Source : Official rules · Official programme · Official application form