Competition announcement - Composition 2024

·         length of compositions: 5–6 minutes. One or more movements of a longer piece can be submitted as well if they meet all other criteria. Entries of less than 4 minutes and 40 seconds or more than 6 minutes and 20 seconds in length will not be considered.

·         compositions cannot include use of fixed audio media.

·         extended technique cannot be used in compositions.

·         submitted works cannot employ a prepared piano.

·         one composer may submit more than one work.

·         the aim of the competition is to present new pieces that could be played by pianists as part of a basically traditional repertoire. Works should give pianists opportunities to show both their musical and technical abilities. This aspect will be considered by the jury.

Submitted works must

·         be unpublished and unlisted,

·         not have won a prize at a national or international composition competition,

·         not have been recorded commercially

·         not have been performed publicly prior to 23 November 2024

Candidates: The competition is open to composers of all nationalities born on or after 1 January 1984. If a composer chooses to submit more than one work, each work has to be a separate submission.

Registration fee: €50 per composition, to be paid by card online (on the registration site) or by bank transfer:

Account holder: Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem (Liszt Academy of Music)

Account number:

IBAN: HU22 1003 2000 0142 6768 0000 0000

Swift-BIC code: MANEHUHB

Remark: “Bartók World Competition Budapest – Composition 2024”

All transfer and bank charges are to be covered by the applicant. 

Application deadline: 23 August 2024 (24:00 CET)

Applications must be made electronically by uploading the following through the online application form.  

·         a score for a composition for piano in pdf format (A4 sheet music). All scores must be sent anonymously; only a pseudonym can appear on score pages. The file is to be named: chosenpseudonym_Bartok2024.pdf

·         proof of payment of the application fee

·         programme notes on the composition (max. 1000 characters) N.B.: The programme notes shall not form part of the evaluation process.

·         a scanned ID or passport

·         a short biography of the composer (max. 1500 characters)

·         a portrait photo (min. 1 MB, 300 dpi)

·         an mp3 audio file of a non-commercial recording or a non-public performance or MIDI or other technical realisation. The file is to be named: chosenpseudonym_Bartok2024.mp3

A coordinator will be the only person to see submitted materials. Only the sheet music with the pseudonym and the mp3 audio file will be forwarded to and circulated among judges. All pdf and mp3 files will be deleted after the competition. Only composers of prize-winning and honourable mention works will become known to judges and the public.

Selection and Jury

A Preselection Committee consisting of distinguished professors of Liszt Academy will shortlist all applications and choose 15 pieces for the International Jury, who will decide on final results.

Members of the International Jury are:

Thomas Adès (UK) – Chair

Augusta Read Thomas (USA)  

Shinuh Lee (ROK)

Gyula Fekete (H)

József Balog (H)

The decisions of the Jury are final. 

Prizes:           1st prize          €5 000

                        2nd prize         €3 000

                        3rd prize         €2 000

The Jury may decide to divide prizes or not to award a prize at all. The Jury may also select works for honourable mention. Prizes are subject to tax as required by Hungarian taxation laws.

Prize-winning works will be presented at a Gala Concert on 23 November 2024 at Liszt Academy’s Solti Hall in Budapest, where prizes will be handed out to winners. Composers of the pieces to be performed will be invited to the Gala Concert in Budapest. Organisers will cover travel costs and two nights of accommodation.

Two pieces selected from among prize-winning or honourable mention works will be included in the repertoire of the semi-final of the Bartók World Competition Budapest – Piano 2025 competition. These works will be published by Universal Music Publishing Editio Musica Budapest.

Questions should be addressed to office@bartokworldcompetition.hu

Submission of sheet music implies unconditional acceptance of all conditions set down here.