February 4, 2021

The Cliburn announces today the eighth edition of the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition, for non-professional pianists age 35 and older, will take place October 12–18, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas, at Bass Performance Hall and PepsiCo Recital Hall at TCU. This edition had previously been scheduled for May 2020.

Competitors selected to compete in 2020—who represent 18 countries and range in age from 35 to 69—will be offered their places to participate in the 2022 Amateur Competition. Should any competitors decline, preselected alternates from the 2020 applicant pool will  be invited as competitors. In the event that there are still positions open, applications will be reopened in July 2021. A confirmed competitor list will be announced in July 2022.

2022 AMATEUR COMPETITION FACTS

  • Ralph Votapek, gold medalist of the First Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1962, will serve as jury chairman. The jury comprises: Alessandro Deljavan (Italy), Carol Leone (United States), Alex McDonald (United States), Valery Kuleshov (Russia); and Pamela Mia Paul (United States). An additional juror will be announced at a later date.
  • Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will perform with each of six finalists under the baton of acclaimed conductor Damon Gupton.
  • Semifinal and Final Round performances will be webcast live at Cliburn.org. 
  • Tickets to attend the Amateur Competition will go on sale in spring 2022.

ABOUT THE CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR PIANO COMPETITION

Inaugurated in 1999, the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition was the first event of its kind in the United States. Hailed by the Boston Globe as “a celebration of music, and the people who have to make music no matter what,” it was established at the behest of the late Nela Rubinstein, wife of legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein. The contest highlights the importance of music-making in everyday life and provides a forum for musicians age 35 and older who do not perform, teach, or compose piano music for their primary professional pursuit or financial benefit. The quadrennial competition brings together the best amateur pianists from around the world for seven days of performances, symposia, and social events.


ROUNDS & REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

PRELIMINARY ROUND (PepsiCo Recital Hall, TCU)
October 12–14, 2022

48 competitors will each present a solo recital not to exceed 15 minutes in length, of repertoire of their choosing.

SEMIFINAL ROUND (PepsiCo Recital Hall, TCU)
October 15–16, 2022

20 competitors will each present a solo recital not to exceed 28 minutes in length, of repertoire of their choosing.

FINAL ROUND (Bass Performance Hall)
October 18, 2022

6 competitors will each perform one concerto movement, selected from a list, with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Damon Gupton.

NON-COMPETING PARTICIPANTS (NEW THIS EDITION)

An additional 24 pianists have been selected as non-competing participants. They will play up to 15 minutes for comments from jurors (recitals will be free and open to the public) and participate in other activities and festival events.

2022-2023 CLIBURN COMPETITION SCHEDULE

JUNE 2-18, 2022 – Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
OCTOBER 12-18, 2022 – Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition
JUNE 2023 – Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition

For Amateur Competition participant questions, please contact us by email at [email protected]

AMATEUR COMPETITION LINKS
JURY  I  ROUNDS & REPERTOIRE  I  ARTISTIC COLLABORATORS