Application rules:
The application process is now open! Closing deadline: 1 July 2023. Click “Select Program” under the “Start an Application” section to the left to begin.
In the spirit of piano artistry, The Gurwitz International Piano Competition presents public competition to discover the next generation of top young pianists from around the world while bridging the art of classical piano with World Music that celebrates cultural diversity.
Performers ages 18 to 32 (inclusive) as of 26 January 2024 are eligible to apply. Twelve contestants will be selected to perform for the four rounds of live competition in San Antonio, Texas.
The Gurwitz will not provide for expenses for lodging, food or transportation incurred prior to January 24, 2024 or after February 4, 2024.
No lodging will be provided for a Competitor’s family or other traveling companions.
A mandatory meeting of all Competitors will take on January 25, 2024 (exact time to be announced).
Competitors must notify The Gurwitz of any program changes for each Competition Round no later than October 15, 2023. Email communication is preferred. The Gurwitz Artistic Staff will have final approval of programs for each round. In the event that any repertoire is unacceptable, the Competitor will be notified immediately. For questions email elena@musicalbridges.org.
No repertoire changes will be allowed after October 15, 2023.
Awards:
First Prize: $30,000 USD
Second Prize: $20,000 USD
Third Prize: $10,000 USD
Additional Prizes include: Junior Jury Award, Best Performance of a Work by Latin or Spanish Composer, and the Audience Favourite Award.
Application Cost:
A $125 (USD) application fee must be paid through the Acceptd platform.
Repertoire:
First round
50 minute recital with program chosen by the participant.
Jury announces six (6) competitors to proceed to the Second round.
Second round
45 minute recital with program chosen by the participant, including*
(1) Work(s) by composer(s) of the participant’s country of origin.
(2) Work(s) by Spanish or Latin-American (Mexican, Caribbean, Central & South American origin) composer.
*In case a participant performs a work by a Spanish or Latin-American composer as their ‘country of origin’ piece, this participant must choose another country Spanish or Latin-American composer as a work(s) by Spanish or Latin-American composer.
Jury announces three (3) finalists to proceed to the Three Round and Four Round.
Third round
(1)Work written after 1950 (not to exceed 12 minutes)
(2) Commissioned chamber ensemble piece for piano and world music instruments by American composer Aaron Prado.
Four round
One of the following piano concertos:
Tchaikovsky, Piotr Ilyich No.1, op.23, TH 55, B-flat minor
Grieg, Edvard op.16, A minor
Schumann, Robert op.54, A minor
Prokofiev, Sergey No.3, op.26, C major
Rachmaninoff, Sergei No.2, op.18, C minor
Liszt, Franz No.1, S.124, E-flat major
Beethoven, Ludwig van No.4, op.58, G major
Beethoven, Ludwig van No.5, op.73, E-flat major (Emperor)
Ravel, Maurice G major
Jury announces Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Winners, and special prizes winners.
More information: https://musicalbridges.org/gurwitz/apply/.