SIXTEENTH VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

June 2–18, 2022
Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU • Bass Performance Hall • Fort Worth, Texas USA
Marin Alsop, jury chairman

Applications for the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition closed at 11:59 p.m. CDT / UTC-5 on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Our screening panel is reviewing all submissions, and will select the 75 pianists to come to Fort Worth in March for the Screening Auditions. Look for that announcement in January. Good luck to all our applicants!

 

ABOUT THE 2022 VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

 

*UPDATED September 22, 2020: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cliburn has postponed the Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition to June 2022. Please carefully review the following.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. The Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will be held in Fort Worth, Texas, from June 2 to June 18, 2022, under the auspices of the Cliburn.
  2. In some cases foreign competitors will need visas. Applicants should consult the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for advice.
  3. Competitors must not have any professional or other commitments during the time of the Competition, beginning with orientation and piano selection, which will take place starting on May 30, 2022. No exceptions will be allowed.
  4. All competitors accepted to the Competition will be provided a complimentary economy-class round-trip airplane ticket to Fort Worth.
  5. Competitors will be accommodated individually in private homes between May 29 and June 19, 2022, with meals, practice facilities, and transportation provided. Competitors will be responsible for their own accommodations on any days falling outside of this time period. Competitors who are not participating in the Quarterfinal, Semifinal, or Final Rounds of the Competition are not required to stay until the end of the Competition, although they are strongly encouraged to do so. Any cost incurred by changing dates of travel will be at the competitor’s expense.
  6. Medalists will be asked to be available for up to seven (7) days following the Competition, as determined by the Cliburn, for meetings, press, and other related matters the Cliburn deems necessary.
  7. All information contained in this document was correct at the time of publication. However, the Cliburn reserves the right to make changes if circumstances dictate.

IMPORTANT DATES 

October 14, 2021–Application submission deadline
November 1, 2021–Recommendation submission deadline
January 17, 2022–Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the Screening Auditions
February 3, 2022–Announcement of Screening Auditions schedule
March 6–12, 2022–Screening Auditions
March 17, 2022–Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the Competition
March 30, 2022–Announcement of competitors to the public
April 1, 2022–Commissioned work provided to competitors
April 7, 2022–Last day to make changes to repertoire or running order
May 30, 2022–Orientation and piano selection begins
June 2, 2022– Competition begins
June 18, 2022–Awards ceremony

ELIGIBILITY

The Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities. First-prize winners of previous editions of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition are not eligible to compete. Applicants must have been born after June 12, 1990, and on or before June 2, 2004.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION

  1. Applicants must have been born after June 12, 1990, and on or before June 2, 2004.
  2. All applications must be completed and submitted through the online system.
  3. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT / UTC-5 on Thursday, October 14, 2021. No late or partial applications will be accepted.
  4. All applicants must submit a nonrefundable application fee of $125 US, payable through the online application system. Payment will be taken on the final page of the application; applications cannot be submitted without payment.
  5. Applications will include uploads of:
    • 35–40 minute video performance (Please note: videos should not exceed 4 GB per file)
    • Birth certificate or equivalent proof of age
    • High resolution color photographs (300 dpi or higher), including one color headshot and one horizontal image, suitable for publicity purposes
    • Copies of any press reviews or articles from the past five seasons
  6. Applicants must submit contact information for four musicians as references. Two of your references will be sent an automated email requesting their recommendation materials when you submit your application. Recommendations are due by November 1, 2022.
  7. An acknowledgment will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed Application Form and enclosures. Applicants will not be allowed to submit unless all information is complete.
  8. Applicants should retain copies of all materials sent with their applications. The Cliburn will accept no responsibility for applications not received.
  9. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and treated as confidential. The Cliburn reserves the right to request additional information from or about an applicant. All applicants will be notified by January 17, 2022 whether or not they have been accepted to perform in a screening audition.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION VIDEO SUBMISSION

  1. All videos must be submitted through the online application system. Submissions must be between 35 and 40 minutes in length.
  2. Repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may be selected from works offered for the Competition recital rounds. Only complete works will be accepted.
  3. Applicants may submit one video containing all works, or separate videos for each work. All videos must be filmed with both the pianist’s face and hands in the frame at all times. If submitting all works in one video, recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection.
  4. Each work on the video must be a continuous and unedited performance. Videos must not be filmed more than twelve months prior to submission.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR SCREENING AUDITIONS

  1. Live screening auditions will be held in Fort Worth, Texas from March 6–12, 2022. No more than 72 applicants will be accepted for a screening audition, in which they will be required to give a 25-minute recital before a live audience and the screening jury. Video recordings of performances by those applicants unable to attend the live screening auditions will be accepted only under special circumstances, such as illness during the scheduled audition, at the discretion of the president of the Cliburn.
  2. Applicants invited to give a live screening audition in Fort Worth will be provided with one (1) round-trip, economy-class airplane ticket to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, as well as accommodations and ground transportation to/from relevant activities. Any guests attending the auditions with applicants will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses. The Cliburn will not provide airfare or additional accommodations for guests.
    • Airfare and accommodations will be arranged solely by the Cliburn.
    • Meal expenses, incidentals, and additional ground transportation unrelated to Cliburn events will not be provided.
  3. All applicants will be notified whether or not they have been accepted for the Competition no later than March 17, 2022. The 30 selected pianists will be announced to the public no later than March 30, 2022.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COMPETITION

  1. The Competition will consist of four separate rounds: Preliminary, Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final. Preliminary and Quarterfinal Rounds will be held at Van Cliburn Concert Hall on the campus of TCU, and the Semifinal and Final Rounds will take place at Bass Performance Hall.
  2. The jury will advance 18 pianists to the Quarterfinal Round, 12 to the Semifinal Round, and 6 to the Final Round.
  3. The order of appearance of pianists in the Preliminary Round will be determined by a drawing. The Preliminary and Quarterfinal Rounds of Competition will follow this order except for reasons of accident, illness, or other unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the president of the Cliburn. The order of appearance in the Semifinal and Final Rounds will depend on rehearsal scheduling, program content, and administrative requirements, and may vary from that of the Preliminary and Quarterfinal Rounds. All phases of the Competition will be open to the public.
  4. A selection of pianos will be provided for the pianists’ performances in each venue. Time will be assigned to each pianist to choose his or her preferred instrument beginning May 30, 2022. Pianists will be notified of these assigned times.
  5. It is anticipated that all rounds of the Competition will be broadcast live and recorded for subsequent broadcast, video, or audio recording use. It is anticipated that a CD and/or digital album of selected Competition performances will be commercially produced, that a documentary of the Competition incorporating selected performances will be produced for television, DVD/Blu-ray, online streaming, and/or other platforms now known or hereafter invented. Camera crews may record and/or photograph all Competition events. Neither the Cliburn nor its assignees or licensees may be held liable for any payments to pianists arising out of materials derived from Competition performances. Applicants are required to sign a release form yielding all rights on such materials to the Cliburn, its assignees, or its licensees.
  6. Pianists may not contact or speak with any member of the jury while they are still active in the Competition. Any violation of this rule may disqualify the pianist.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
Videos will be submitted through the online application process. Submissions must be between 35 and 40 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may be selected from works offered for the Competition recital rounds. Only complete works will be accepted. Applicants may submit one video containing all works, or separate videos for each work. All videos must be filmed with both the pianist’s face and hands in the frame at all times. If submitting all works in one video, recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection. Each work on the video must be a continuous and unedited performance. Videos must not be filmed more than twelve (12) months prior to submission.

SCREENING AUDITIONS
Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 25 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may be selected from works offered for the Competition recital rounds. Both complete works and individual movements from larger works will be accepted.

PRELIMINARY ROUND (30 competitors)
Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 40 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist and must include the commissioned work of 4 to 6 minutes in length, composed by Stephen Hough. Only complete works will be accepted.

QUARTERFINAL ROUND (18 competitors)
Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 40 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist. Repertoire from the Preliminary Round may not be repeated. Only complete works will be accepted.

SEMIFINAL ROUND (12 competitors)
The Semifinal Round will be held in two phases.

      • Phase I: Each pianist will perform a recital not to exceed 60 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist. Repertoire from the Preliminary and Quarterfinal Rounds may not be repeated. Only complete works will be accepted.
      • Phase II: Each pianist will perform a Mozart piano concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. Repertoire must be chosen from the following:
        • Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271
        • Piano Concerto No. 15 in B-flat Major, K. 450
        • Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major, K. 459
        • Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466
        • Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
        • Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482
        • Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
        • Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
        • Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
        • Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595

FINAL ROUND (6 competitors)

Each competitor will perform two concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. Pianists must select one concerto from each of the following lists:

      • Concerto 1: 
        • BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15
        • BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 19
        • BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37
        • BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, op. 58
        • BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, op. 73
        • CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11
        • CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, op. 21
        • GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
        • GERSHWIN Piano Concerto in F Major
        • GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16
        • LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124
        • LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major, S. 125
        • MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25
        • RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Minor
        • RAVEL Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major
        • SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22
        • SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, op. 103
        • SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54
      • Concerto 2:
        • BARTÓK Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Sz. 95, BB 101
        • BARTÓK Piano Concerto No. 3 in E Major, Sz. 119, BB 127
        • BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, op. 15
        • BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, op. 83
        • PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 16
        • PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
        • RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, op. 18
        • RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30
        • RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43
        • TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, op. 23

RULES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO REPERTOIRE

  1. 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. Repeats are at the discretion of the pianist.
  2. All works must be performed by memory, except for the commissioned work. A page turner will be provided as needed.
  3. If requested, pianists must supply the Cliburn with a copy of the edition of the score used in the preparation of each work performed.
  4. The commissioned work will be sent to competitors no later than April 1, 2022.

RULES RELATING TO PRIZES AND ENGAGEMENTS

  1. The prizes and awards specified on the Cliburn website will constitute the only prizes and awards of the Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. No other prizes, awards, or remuneration will be permitted, except by express decision of the Cliburn. Prizes will be listed on the Cliburn website and are subject to change at the discretion of the Cliburn.
  2. Taxes will be deducted from prizes according to U.S. tax laws in effect at the time of the Competition.
  3. The Cliburn is in the process of negotiating a number of major recital and orchestra engagements for the three top prizewinners of the 2022 Competition, to be performed within the three-year period following the Competition. A list of potential engagements forming part of the prizes will be published in the Competition program book in June 2022. Scheduling of these engagements will take into account any prior commitments of the winners, but the winners will be expected to fulfill all prize engagements. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of a winner’s claim to prizes, awards, and engagements, at the discretion of the Cliburn. In addition, during the three years of management by the Cliburn, the winners will not accept any engagement without prior consultation with the Cliburn. The prizewinners will be required to sign an agreement outlining the above with the Cliburn following the Competition.
  4. The First, Second, and Third Prize winners will perform, if requested, a maximum of three recitals without charge for the benefit of the Cliburn.

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