RIGA INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YOUNG PIANISTS
The 7th RIGA INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YOUNG PIANISTS 2018
General Rules
The 7th Riga International Competition for Young Pianists takes place on October 14th – 16th 2018 at the Small Guild Hall, Amatu Street 5 Riga, Latvia. The competition is open to pianists of any nationality from 5 to 21 year (born after October 16, 1996), in categories for Solo and Four Hands performance.
Competition Schedule
September 15th Application Deadline & the List of Accepted Contestants
October 13th 11.00 Music Teacher Seminar and Jurors Duo Concert at the Riga Music School Nr.3 (entrance free)
October 14th 18.00 Opening Concert at the Small Guild Hall in Riga, Amatu Street 5 (entrance free)
October 15th 11.00 Competition at the Small Guild Hall: Junior, Senior Group Finals (entrance free)
October 16th 11.00 Competition at the Small Guild Hall: Debut, Four Hands (entrance free)
October 16th 18.00 Awards Ceremony and Gala Concert at the Small Guild Hall in Riga, Amatu Street 5 (entrance free)
Competition Aim & Tasks
Develop the traditions of academic piano performance in Latvia and promote the popularization of folk tunes, classical ballet and opera music in academic piano genres. Promote the development of the academic piano skills for young pianists in Piano Solo and Four Hands performance; enrich the pedagogical repertoire of academic piano performance with forgotten and less known pieces; provide young pianists with a professional experience and stage performance.
PARTICIPATION
1. Contestants’ Groups
1.1. Debut, 5-6 years
1.2. Junior A, 7-8 years
1.3. Junior B, 9-10 years
1.4. Junior C, 11-12 years
1.5. Junior D, 7-13 years
1.6. Senior A, 13-15 years
1.7. Senior B, 16-18 years
1.8. Senior C, 19-21 year
1.9. Senior D, 13-18 years
2. Competition Categories
2.1. Piano Solo (One or Two Rounds depending on the Group)
2.2. Piano Four Hands
3. Repertoire
All contestants are required to perform their programs by memory. All program time limits mean entire performance length, including breaks between the pieces. The competitor may choose the order of the pieces played. Contestants will not be permitted to make any repertoire changes after September 15th.
3.1. Piano Solo
3.1.1. Debut (5-6 years)
Up to 5 minutes in total: a set of contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR a set of contrasting folk tune arrangements by Janis Kepitis (1908-1990) Kokletajs OR Janis Norvilis (1906-1994) Field of Songs http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2011-in-the-field-of-janis-norvilis-isbn-978-9984-49-512-5-317151/notis-un-audio-317171/beginners-level-317311 OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre. The best performance of arrangements by Janis Kepitis, Janis Norvilis will be awarded.
3.1.2. Junior A (7-8 years)
Up to 6 minutes in total:
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR contrasting folk tune arrangements by Ilze Arne (1953) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2012-ethno-didactics-in-piano-practicing-50-arrangements-solo---------isbn-978-9984-49-511-8-317281/scores-and-audio-318481/beginners-level-1-14-318491 OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- one folk tune arrangement by any composer OR piece/pieces from any genre;
- one etude of contestant’s choice.
The best performance of arrangements by Ilze Arne will be awarded.
3.1.3. Junior B (9-10 years)
Up to 7 minutes in total:
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR contrasting folk tune arrangements by Janis Norvilis (1906-1994) Field of Songs http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2011-in-the-field-of-janis-norvilis-isbn-978-9984-49-512-5-317151/notis-un-audio-317171/advanced-level-317331 OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR contrasting folk tune arrangements by Romualds Kalsons (1936) 12 Latvian Folk Tune Arrangements http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2012-ethno-didactics-in-piano-practicing-50-arrangements-solo---------isbn-978-9984-49-511-8-317281/scores-and-audio-318481/intermediate-level-15-28-318501 OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- one etude of contestant’s choice.
If competitor’s program includes a highly virtuosic piece (I. Berkovich Variations on Paganini), is not necessary to play Etude
The best performance of arrangements by Janis Norvilis, Romualds Kalsons will be awarded.
3.1.4. Junior C (11-12 years)
Up to 8 minutes in total:
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR contrasting Latvian Folk Tunes for Piano op. 29, op. 32 by Jazeps Vitols (1863-1948) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2012-ethno-didactics-in-piano-practicing-50-arrangements-solo---------isbn-978-9984-49-511-8-317281/scores-and-audio-318481/advanced-level-29-50-318511 OR by Olgerts Gravitis (1926-2015) 50 Latvian Folk Tunes, OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- one OR several, OR a set of Baroque period pieces (e.g. Fugues, Inventions, Sinfonias, movements from the French Suites by J. S. Bach, movements from the Suites by G. F. Haendel, D. Scarlatti Sonatas etc.);
- one virtuoso concert style (programmatic) study by A. Arensky OR F. Burgmüller, OR A. Diabelli, OR I. Moscheles, OR M. Moszkowski, OR E. MacDowell, OR E. Neupert, OR L. Rozycki (but not C. Czerny).
The best performance of arrangements by Jazeps Vitols, Olgerts Gravitis will be awarded.
3.1.5. Junior D (7-13 years)
Only for pupils of General Education schools with piano classes (non-professional students).
Up to 6 minutes in total:
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR by Janis Kepitis (1908-1990) Kokletajs, OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- contrasting folk tune arrangements native to the contestant OR by Pauls Dambis (1936) 10 Small Pieces for Children http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luse-nora-2012-ethno-didactics-in-piano-practicing-50-arrangements-solo---------isbn-978-9984-49-511-8-317281/scores-and-audio-318481/beginners-level-1-14-318491 OR piece/pieces from any composer and genre;
- one etude of contestant’s choice.
The best performance of arrangements by Janis Kepitis, Pauls Dambis will be awarded.
3.1.6. Senior A (13-15 years): Two Rounds
I Round: performance from 9 – 12 minutes
- a piece with folk tune elements (Variations OR Ballade, OR Fantasy, OR Mazurka, OR Paraphrases, OR Rhapsody, OR Rondo e.g. J. Brahms Rhapsody, F. Chopin Polonaise, B. Martinu Tango etc.);
- one OR several, OR a set of Baroque period pieces (e.g. movements from the English or French Suites, Partitas, Toccatas by J. S. Bach, movements from the Suites by G. F. Haendel, J. Ph. Rameau, D. Scarlatti Sonatas etc.);
- one virtuoso concert style study (P. Tchaikovsky, S. Maykapar, F. Mendelssohn, S. Lyapunov, F. Liszt, S. Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, J. Vitols etc.).
II Round: performance from 12 – 15 minutes
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed UNTIL 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round,
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed AFTER 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round.
The best performance of folk tune arrangement by Marija Druste (1984) Folk Impression I http://rigapiano.info/f/uploads/Druste_I.pdf will be awarded.
3.1.7. Senior B (16-18 years): Two Rounds
I Round: performance from 12 – 15 minutes
1. a piece with folk tune elements;
2. one OR several, OR a set of Baroque period pieces;
3. one virtuoso concert style study;
4. a piece of contestant’s choice.
II Round: performance from 15 – 20 minutes
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed UNTIL 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round,
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed AFTER 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round.
The best performance of folk tune arrangement by Marija Druste (1984) Folk Impression II http://rigapiano.info/f/uploads/Druste_II.pdf will be awarded.
3.1.8. Senior C (19-21 year): Two Rounds
I Round: performance from 15 – 20 minutes
- a piece with folk tune elements;
- one OR several, OR a set of Baroque period pieces;
- one virtuoso concert style study;
- a piece of contestant’s choice.
II Round: performance from 20 – 25 minutes
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed UNTIL 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round,
- a piece or a set of pieces of contestant’s choice composed AFTER 1900 and NOT performed in the I Round.
The best performance of folk tune arrangement by Marija Druste (1984) Folk Impression IV http://rigapiano.info/f/uploads/Druste_IV.pdf will be awarded.
3.2. Piano Four Hands
3.2.1. Junior A (7-8 years)
Up to 5 minutes in total: contrasting folk tune arrangements by any composer AND/OR classical ballet music, AND/OR opera music transcription/transcriptions.
The best performance of contrasting folk tune arrangements by Janis Kepitis (1908-1990) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luuse-nora-2013-etnodidaktika-klavierspeeles-maaciibaas-apdares-ansamblim-isbn-978-9984-49-850-8-482221 will be awarded.
3.2.2. Junior B (9-10 years)
Up to 6 minutes in total:
- folk tune arrangement / arrangements by any composer;
- a classical ballet music AND/OR opera music transcription / transcriptions.
The best performance of contrasting folk tune arrangements by Alfreds Kalnins (1879-1951) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luuse-nora-2013-etnodidaktika-klavierspeeles-maaciibaas-apdares-ansamblim-isbn-978-9984-49-850-8-482221 will be awarded.
3.2.3. Junior C (11-12 years)
Up to 7 minutes in total:
- folk tune arrangement / arrangements by any composer;
- a classical ballet music AND/OR opera music transcription / transcriptions.
The best performance of contrasting folk tune arrangements by Harry Ore (1885-1972) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luuse-nora-2013-etnodidaktika-klavierspeeles-maaciibaas-apdares-ansamblim-isbn-978-9984-49-850-8-482221 will be awarded.
3.2.4. Junior D (7-13 years)
Only for pupils from General Education schools with piano classes (non-professional students). Up to 6 minutes in total: contrasting folk tune arrangements by any composer AND/OR classical ballet music, AND/OR opera music transcription / transcriptions.
The best performance of contrasting folk tune arrangements by Georgs Pelecis (1947) http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961/luuse-nora-2013-etnodidaktika-klavierspeeles-maaciibaas-apdares-ansamblim-isbn-978-9984-49-850-8-482221 will be awarded.
3.2.5. Senior D (13-18 years)
Up to 12 minutes in total:
- a piece or a set of pieces composed UNTIL 1900,
- a piece or a set of pieces composed AFTER 1900.
Advisable include a folk tune arrangement/s by any composer AND/OR classical ballet music, AND/OR opera music transcription/s (F. Chopin Variations D-dur B.12a, J. Brahms Hungarian Dances, I. Paderewski Tatra Album, A. Dvorzak Slavonic Dances, M. Glinka Capriccio on Russian Themes etc.)
4. Jury
The Jury is composed of internationally recognized pianists. Competitors will be evaluated on a 100 – point system, each performance will be awarded the arithmetic mean from the overall sum of points. Adjudication of competitors’ is only the Jury’s prerogative. Judging criteria are: degree of repertoire difficulty, technical quality of performance, stylistic adequacy and text preciseness, clarity and diversity of musical expression, and artistic stage presentation. The Jury reserves the right to stop the performance exceeding the time limit. All decisions of the Jury are final and cannot be appealed by anyone.
Students of the Jury members are allowed to take part at the competition; the Jurors may not vote for their own students.
From Senior Group A/B/C Jury will choose up to 9 Finalists in total to proceed to the Round II of the competition. In case of several candidates in the same category and group obtaining an equal number of points, the Jury President has the final vote.
5. Additional
Application fee
Debut and Junior A/B/C/D group is 40.00 EUR
Senior A/B/C/D group is 80.00 EUR
On the payment, full Name and Group of competitor should be given. The fee will not be returned. Bank charges should be made by the contestants. Please make the payment until September 15th, 2018 to:
RIGAS STARPTAUTISKAIS JAUNO PIANISTU KONKURSS RIGA INTERNATIONAL CYP
Address: Pulkveza Brieza 8-17, Riga LV-1010, Latvia
Bank account / IBAN LV64 HABA 0551 0361 72008
BIC / S.W.I.F.T. HABA LV22
Bank address: SWEDBANK AS, Balasta dambis 15, Riga LV-1048, Latvia
You may find the payment details on the competition website http://rigapiano.info/en/nolikums-314941/payment-details
With signing the Application Form, contestants agree to competition’s General Rules. The travel and accommodation expenses are to be paid by the contestants. At the competition the contestant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, a teacher, or other person over 18 years of age. The competition schedule, order of rehearsals and stage appearances in competition will be notified by E-mail to competitors AND posted on the competition website. Formal concert dress is required.
The rights for audio and video recording, photography and broadcasting of the performances belong to the Competition. The Riga International Competition for Young Pianists may not be held liable for any payments to pianists arising out of materials derived from any Competition events. The scores by Latvian composers are available for free download according to competition’s educational tasks on the website: http://rigapiano.info/en/portfolio-314961
6. Prizes and Awards
The contestants will be provided with 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize Winners’ Diplomas and Participants’ Diplomas.
In Piano Solo category the winners in Debut and Junior A/B/C/D group will be awarded the Ilze Arne, Pauls Dambis, Olgerts Gravitis, Romualds Kalsons, Janis Kepitis, Janis Norvilis, Jazeps Vitols Award.
In Four Hands category the winners in Junior A/B/C/D group will be awarded the Alfreds Kalnins, Janis Kepitis, Harry Ore and Georgs Pelecis Award.
Money prizes in Piano Solo category for Senior Group:
Category: "Piano Solo SENIOR A"
1.Prize 200 €
2.Prize 150 €
3.Prize 100 €
Category: "Piano Solo SENIOR B"
1.Prize 300 €
2.Prize 200 €
3.Prize 150 €
Category: "Piano Solo SENIOR C"
1.Prize 500 €
2.Prize 300 €
3.Prize 200 €
Money prize via bank transfer is payed after 16.10.2018.
Special prizes for Senior A/B/C Group: Juris&Regina Lusis in Memoriam Award, Theo Bikis in Memoriam Award, Marija Druste Award, Ballet and Dance Guild of Latvia Award, Bravo Award, Prodigy Award, Einbeck Award.
Final results of the Senior A/B/C/D Group will be announced on October 16, 2018 at 6 pm at Small Guild Hall in Riga where the Awards Ceremony and Prizewinners’ Concert will take place. The Finalists are obliged, according to the decision of the Jury, to participate at the Awards Ceremony and perform at the Winners Concert, otherwise they will lose their right to the money prize and special prize awarded. Formal concert dress is required. The Jury has the right to decide upon the amount of the Prizes given.
Contestants’ piano teachers will receive the Certificate of advanced professional training program coordinated with Riga Municipality No.RIIMC-15-332 from 30.12.2015.
7. Application
Application Deadline: September 15th, 2018.
Please apply online at: http://rigapiano.info/en/nolikums-314941/application-form
If an online application is not possible, please fill in clearly the printed Application Form 2018 http://rigapiano.info/en/nolikums-314941/application-form
Scanned documents as PDF files (a filled Application Form and a copy of the birth certificate OR identity card OR passport) until September 15th 2018 must be e-mailed to
Only complete applications with a paid application fee will be processed. To identify the application fee payment, please make sure the Name and the Group of the contestant is entered correctly.
The organizers reserve the right to limit the number of contestants.
