Application rules:
Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists
for pianists age 13 to 17 • JUNE 10–19 2027 • DALLAS, TEXAS USA
SMU & Meyerson Symphony Center
The Cliburn invites talented pianists to apply for the Fourth Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists, for artists age 13 to 17, taking place June 10–19, 2027, in Dallas, Texas. The event will include an in-residence fellowship program, beginning on June 7 on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU), consisting of masterclasses, workshops, artist conversations, performance opportunities, and other scheduled activities.
The Cliburn will invite 38 artists to participate as Piano Fellows, who are required to stay on campus and participate in all activities. From this group, 24 pianists will be selected to compete for prizes. While actively competing, these Fellows will follow an individualized schedule that includes designated rehearsal time and adjudicated performances. Once a competing pianist is no longer active in the competition, he/she will resume participation in the full fellowship schedule.
The Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds will take place in Caruth Auditorium at SMU. The Final Round will be held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, where six finalists will perform a concerto movement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with conductor Maurice Cohn.
Please read all rules and guidelines carefully before you apply.
For questions about the application process or requirements, please contact Eli Miller at emiller@cliburn.org, or by phone at +1.817.738.6536.
Repertoire:
Video Submissions
Video submissions must be 15 to 20 minutes in length and include one virtuosic etude, one movement of a Classical sonata, and one slow, lyrical work, following the requirements for the Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds. Works performed in the screening videos may be repeated during the rounds. The video must be filmed with both the pianist’s face and hands in the frame at all times. Recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection. Each work on the video must be a continuous and unedited performance. Videos must be filmed within six months of submission.
Preliminary Round (24 competitors)
Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 30 minutes in length. The recital must include:
- One Bach Prelude and Fugue (Fugue must consist of three or four voices)
- One fast, virtuosic etude. The choice is subject to approval by the Cliburn.
- One lyrical work to be selected from the following:
- any nocturne by Chopin, Fauré, or John Field
- any Mendelssohn Songs Without Words
- any Brahms Intermezzo
- The remainder of the program may be chosen by the pianist.
Semifinal Round (12 competitors)
The Semifinal Round will be held in two phases:
PHASE I: Each pianist must perform a recital not to exceed 40 minutes in length. The recital must include the following:
- the first or last movement of one of the following Classical sonatas (sonatas may be played in their entirety):
- Any Haydn sonata
- Any Mozart sonata
- One of the following Beethoven sonatas:
- Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, op. 2, no. 1
- Sonata No. 2 in A Major, op. 2, no. 2
- Sonata No. 3 in C Major, op. 2, no. 3
- Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7
- Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, op. 10, no. 1
- Sonata No. 6 in F Major, op. 10, no. 2
- Sonata No. 7 in D Major, op. 10, no. 3
- Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, op. 13 (“Pathetique”)
- Sonata No. 9 in E Major, op. 14, no. 1
- Sonata No. 10 in G Major, op. 14, no. 2
- Sonata No. 11 in B-flat Major, op. 22
- Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, op. 26
- one work written by a living composer
- one substantial work of at least 14 minutes. This requirement can be fulfilled by one of the requirements above. The remainder of the program may be chosen by the pianist. Repertoire from the Preliminary Round may not be repeated.
PHASE II: Each pianist will perform the concerto movement submitted for the Final Round with piano accompaniment. The Cliburn will provide a collaborative pianist.
Final Round (6 competitors)
Each pianist will perform one concerto movement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maurice Cohn, selected from the following list:
- BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15 (I)
- BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, op. 19 (I)
- BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37 (I)
- BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58 (I)
- CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, op. 21 (I)
- GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16 (I)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat Major, K. 271 (I)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat Major, K. 271 (III)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 (I)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 (I)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 (I)
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503 (I)
- PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16 (I)
- PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16 (IV)
- PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26 (I)
- PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26 (III)
- RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18 (I)
- RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18 (III)
- SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22 (I)
- SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54 (I)
- SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54 (III)
RULES RELATING TO REPERTOIRE
- Total performance times include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced. The jury retains the right to stop a performance if the pianist exceeds the allotted time.
- All works must be performed in their entirety. Separate movements of larger works will be accepted but must be performed in their entirety. Repeats are at the discretion of the pianist.
- If requested, the pianist must supply a copy of the edition of the score used in preparation of each work performed to the jury.
- Changes in submitted repertoire or running order may be made only with permission of the Cliburn. No changes will be accepted after February 23, 2027. Any proposed changes must include timings.
More details: https://cliburn.org/