Competition Rules 2023

Art. 1 The Competition

Informations
  • The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities.
  • Pieces must be played without the score excepted for contemporary works presented in the Amateur Concert Pianist, Advanced, Excellence and Concert Pianist levels.
  • Audition dates and time are subject to change
Concert Pianist
  • Age Limit: 32
  • Lots drawn: 7th June 2023 at 4.30 pm (Absence will lead to elimination).
  • Qualifying auditions: 8th - 9th June 2023
  • Finale : 10th June 2023
  • Awards ceremony : 10th June 2023 at 7.00 pm (candidates must attend in evening dress).
Excellence
  • Auditions: 5th and 6th June 2023
  • Prize-giving: at the end of the auditions
Advanced
  • Auditions: 7th June 2023.
  • Prize-giving: at the end of the auditions.
Amateur Concert Pianist
  • Minimum age: 25
  • Auditions: 6th June 2023.
  • Prize-giving: at the end of the auditions.
  • For non-professional pianists at concert pianist level.
  • Provide: proof of amateur status or other activity unrelated to piano playing.
Levels 1, 2, 3
  • Auditions: 4th June 2023.
  • Prizes : awarded between each round of auditions
  • No repeats except Da Capo: in case of non-compliance, the candidate will be assessed with a downgrading of his/her mark.
  • Works played from memory and without the score under penalty of elimination.
  • The precise editions mentioned for each work are the reference. In case of error, the candidate will not be assessed.

Art. 2 Registration & accommodation with host families

No later than 23rd April 2023.

  • Registration via the website, valid only upon receipt of registration fee + complete application form.

Register before 23 April 2023 by: 
1) filling in the application form including your program

2) uploading an identity photo* and a biography of one-page* maximum (*except for levels 1, 2 and 3) 

3) Upon receipt of the summary, paying the registration fee (euros) using the link provided.

  • IMPORTANT: limited number of places per category: if reached, the registration will be closed before the initial deadline.
  • Program may not be altered after registration deadline.
  • Host family accommodation: subject to availability reserved for candidates over than 15 years old in Advanced, Excellence and Concert Pianist.

IMPORTANT: When a host family has been allocated, the candidate undertakes to make contact within 7 days of receiving the information, failing which he/she will lose his/her place.

In case of withdrawal, the candidate must immediately inform the host family and the competition secretariat.

  • Re-registration policy for previous winners

- Advanced and Excellence: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize winners may only enter at a higher level.

- Concert Pianist: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize winners are no longer allowed to enter.

- Amateur Concert Pianist: winners of a 1st Prize or a Special “Recital” Prize are no longer allowed to enter.

Art. 3 Registration fee

  • Registration fee : 
    non refundable regardless of the circumstances (except article 9).

  • Ukraine : The Competition Committee reiterates its supports for candidates of Ukrainian nationality by offering them their registration fee for the 2023 competition.

Art. 4 Notice to attend & practice sessions

  • Notice to attend: reception at the latest one week before the competition with indication of date and time of presence for the competitor (No other receipt of application will be given).
  • Important: notice to attend will be sent by e-mail(address indicated on registration application).
  • Practice pianos and dressing rooms: available to candidates (except Levels 1,2 and 3).

Art. 5 Prizes

The Competition shall not be liable in case of change of date or cancellation of a concert/ visit/ masterclass. If the winner is unavailable on the dates given by the organisers, these dates cannot be changed.

Art. 6 The Jury

  • Jury: chosen by Anne Queffélec and comprising leading musicians.
  • The right to interrupt candidates and not to award prizes if the level is deemed insufficient.
  • Jury’s deliberation: governed by internal rules (final and not subject to appeal).

Art. 7 Communication

  • Candidates assign all rights to video or sound recordings of their performance to Opus Yvelines.
  • Auditions: open to the public.

Art. 8 Undertaking

Application to the competition implies acceptance of these rules and their annexes.
The English translation thereof is for guidance only and, in the event of conflict, the French language version shall prevail. 

Art. 9 Cancellation

In the event of cancellation of the entire competition or a specific session by the organizers, the relevant registration fees will be refunded to the candidate.