Call for Applications for the 59th Edition of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy

Applicants are now invited to register for the preliminary selection phase in August 2012. Forms and updated regulations are available on line in five languages; the application deadline is May 31st, 2012.

The F. Busoni Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the 59th edition of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition. The preliminary selection phase will be held at the Claudio Monteverdi Conservatory between August 22nd and30th, 2012. An international jury will choose 24 candidates who will subsequently be invited to enter the final round of the competition in 2013. The foundation will award a total of € 60,000 in prizes; the winners will also receive offers for a variety of concert engagements. Application forms and the recently updated competition rules are available on the foundation's website at www.concorsobusoni.it. The application deadline is May 31st, 2012.

This year will see some major changes to the rules of the competition: The number of mandatory pieces has been significantly reduced, so each candidate may choose much of the repertoire he or she performs. This will allow the young musicians to better exhibit their artistic range, express their individual personalities, and accent their strengths. In addition, the duration of each audition has been slightly reduced: participants must now limit their performance to a maximum of 20 minutes. Another change this year is that auditions will take place only in the afternoons and evenings. This will not only guarantee the highest possible level of concentration on the part of the jury, but will give all candidates a longer rehearsal period. Importantly, this additional time will include practice on the actual instrument used for the audition. Lastly, the competition will continue once again this year in its usual tradition - broken last year in celebration of Liszt’s 200th birthday - of requiring all semi-finalists to play a Mozart concerto. This component will pose an even greater challenge, though: the competition rules will require that candidates direct the orchestra themselves, just like in the days of Mozart.

As in previous years, the F. Busoni International Piano Festival will take place during the preliminary selection period of the competition. This concurrent festival will feature great names of the international piano scene, former winners of the Busoni Prize and laureates of other major competitions. Details will be announced soon.

Contact: FERRUCCIO BUSONI International Piano Competition Foundation, International Press Office: Sabine Funk funk@concorsobusoni.it

Update: The registration form is now active, application dead line is May 31st 2012!