AAF-2026

2026

During the year 2026, there will be again many interesting international piano competitions. Already in January, at the Liszt Utrecht competition in the Netherlands, each of the eight selected finalists give six performances, including the Liszt Sonata, Liszt transcriptions, but also works by Carl Maria von Weber and Chamber Music after which the jury selects three to play with orchestra. A real Festival! Another highlight is the special concert with 19 former prize winners, to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of this Liszt Competition. This year, there are several other competitions that also have a special reason to celebrate: the Gina Bachauer Competition in Salt Lake City was founded 50 years ago by Paul Pollei. PTNA in Japan will also have its 50 th anniversary. Even older is the Mozart Competition in Salzburg which was launched in 1956, 70 years ago. In February 2026, precisely 26 pianists will have the privilege to come to this wonderful city and compete for the prizes. At the same time, the 6 th Takamatsu IPC will take place in Japan, to which 54 pianists have been invited (and will have their travelling and accommodation fully covered). Among them are seasoned pianists who already have much experience and quite some successes at other competitions. Before Takamatsu finishes, the competition in Ljubljana starts with 30 selected candidates, all hoping to win the 50,000 euro first prize. Two of these pianists are on both lists, to compete in Takamatsu and Ljubljana … The end of April, the 18 th Arthur Rubinstein Competition starts in Tel Aviv, with Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim on the list as jury members. Forty-two pianists will bring their choice of 100 minutes solo repertoire plus Chamber Music and two concertos. Three of them might already have played part of it at the competition in Ljubljana. In May, the final phase of the FVG Competition in Sacile (Italy) will be held, offering substantial prize money (20,000 euro first prize). At the same time, the Prague Spring competition is taking place, this year for piano again. Two of the 42 selected contestants are from Europe. In June, the Piano Summer Competition in Munich will have a separate category for pianists with disabilities. The second half of June, young pianists are welcomed in Salt Lake City , while the more mature ones can choose between Malaga and Porto , where both competitions offer substantial prize money. In Porto, the 4 th AAF Conference will be held. In August, much attention again for young pianists in Cleveland and Ettlingen , while in Nohant (France) a new Chopin-Pleyel competition will be launched. In Vigo (Spain), Martha Argerich is again listed as jury member together with Stephen Kovacevich and Paul Lewis. In September, the Enescu Competition in Bucharest overlaps with the Liszt Competition in Budapest. In October, Tbilisi is back again and in November the Hengqin Mozart competition in Zhuhai . At the same time, pianists will perform modern repertoire in Orléans or may compete in the Isang Yun Competition in Korea. Dedicated teaching combined with the possibility to win a prize is offered at the Piano Academy in Eppan (Italy).

Alink-Argerich Foundation 2026