All photography provided by Andrej Grilc

The International Beethoven Piano Competition, with its focus on Beethoven’s works, is a renowned international milestone for the next generation of young pianists.

THE FOUNDERS: RICHARD HAUSER AND JOSEF DICHLER

Were one to push reality to its limit, one could say that the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna can be traced back to Joseph Haydn. This is not only a result of the well known, historic bonds among Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, but also due to the continuing development of classical composition in Vienna, leading up to the second Viennese school with Schönberg, Berg and Webern.

The generation of teachers after the second world war still adhered to this tradition, including the celebrated professors Josef Dichler and Richard Hauser, the latter of whom studied with Anton Webern who, himself, laid particular emphasis on the analyses of Beethoven’s Sonatas. Beginning in 1950 in the Academy of Music and the Performing Arts, the forerunner of the present University, students were constrained to read the analysis course given by another Webern student, Erwin Ratz, who, like his teacher, considered the Beethoven Sonatas a fundamental resource. It was indeed this same professor who brought out the first editions based exclusively on the original texts, known world-wide as „Urtext“ editions.

Quite naturally, the names Beethoven and Vienna came to be linked together in the founding of a new international piano competition. The idea originated from Richard Hauser who had won second prize in a major Viennese competition for pianists held in the 1930’s, an event which had attracted more than 200 contestants. He was firmly convinced that a city of music like Vienna should be able to organize a major international competition in which young pianists would consecrate their efforts … exclusively … to the works of Beethoven.

On the premise that the compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven constitute a major pillar in the repertoire of a concert pianist, professors Dichler and Hauser drew up a competition program which is still considered unquestionably valid. Accordingly, the rules and regulations of today’s competition are also based upon their original guidelines.

Although the first International Beethoven Piano Competition took place in 1961, the preparation period was begun in 1959, making 2009 the year in which we could celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. In recognition of their most significant initiative, and in memory of the two founders, Professors Richard Hauser and Dr. Josef Dichler, we have decided to award a special prize on this occasion named the Hauser-Dichler Anniversary Prize in 2009. Recognized the world over and full of tradition, may the Vienna International Beethoven Piano Competition retain its unmistakable significance well into the 21st century. Ad multos annos!

Heinz Medjimorec (Translation by Gordon Murray)

Our Prizewinners 2017

Competition Rules & Regulations

APPLICATION

• The 16th International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna is open to pianists of either sex and of all nationalities, born between 1 Jan. 1988 and 31 Dec. 2003.

• Applications are due by 15 October 2019

• The completed application form should be received by the competition office (via Internet or by post) by 15 October 2019 along with the following documents:

1. A photocopy of the applicant’s birth certificate or passport

2. A current one-page biography or resume

3. At least one color photograph (preferably in digital format with a resolution of 300dpi)

The documents shall not be returned. Incomplete application documents will result in the exclusion from the competition. The organising committee may decide to allow participation when the difference between the documents required and those provided is marginal, and does not contradict competition regulations.

• On the application form, the applicant must state the city in which he/she wishes to play the entry examination.

• The candidates will be notified in writing about the date of their entry examination once the application deadline is closed (15 October 2019).

• Any alterations to the submitted programme must be notified to the competition office no later than 15 March 2020

Participation fee EUR 100.00
Please make sure the full amount is paid to the competition’s account and that no extra fees are charged by including the note „free of charge for the recipient“:

Account: Universitaet fuer Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
Purpose: WB04BW01
Bank: UniCredit Bank Austria AG, Schottengasse 6-8, 1010 Wien
IBAN: AT121200051428590201
BIC: BKAUATWW

• On receipt of the participation fee and all required documents the applicants will receive a confirmation email or letter.

• In case of non-participation, the participation fee will not be reimbursed.

• By sending in the application the candidate fully accepts the regulations of the competition.

ORGANISATION OF THE COMPETITION

• The Competition consists of an entry examination (“international audition”) and three judging rounds, including the Finale with Orchestra.

• All works must be played from memory.

• The international auditions of the 16th International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna will be held in January and February 2020. (Venues will be announced)

• The candidates have to indicate with their application, in which city the entry examination will be taken.

• The three competition rounds are open to the public.

• The Finale (3rd Round) will take place in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna and is planned to be recorded and broadcasted.

• The candidates will be informed in writing of the date of their entry examination after the closing date for entries.

• Candidates will be judged using a system of points, prizes will be awarded to those who reach the highest total of points from the three judging rounds.

• The decisions of the Jury are final and cannot be reviewed.

• Candidates‘ auditions will be heard according to alphabetic order, beginning with a letter drawn by lot. For each of the following rounds this order will be advanced by six letters.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

• The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna assumes no responsibility for any expenses incurred by the participants to travel to/from the place of entry examination and/or competition.

• Accommodation costs will not be covered.

• Also, any further expenses such as meals, tickets for public transport, etc, will not be reimbursed.

CESSION OF RIGHTS

• Video and audio recordings for radio and television as well as live-streaming and internet coverage of the competition are planned. The organizer of the competition reserves all rights (including any future recordings or coverage); any future claims by third parties will not be acknowledged.

• The candidates are not entitled to any financial compensation that may result from radio and television coverage, or in the case of a CD production or audio/video releases via the internet.

• By submitting their application, all participants grant the organizer of the competition the right to publish personal details and pass these on to third parties.

OTHER

• The competition regulations of the International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna are published in both German and English. In case of litigation, only the German text will be considered legally binding.

• Cancellation: Should the organisational committee decide to cancel the competition, the candidates are entitled to the reimbursement of their application fee only.