1.1
The Von Weber edition of Liszt Utrecht will take place at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 16 till 24 January 2026.
1.2
Liszt Utrecht is organized by Liszt Competition Foundation. The board of the Foundation is represented in all cases by the executive director.
1.3
The official language of Liszt Utrecht is English. Basic understanding of the English language is required from the applicants.
1.4
The Liszt Utrecht is open to professional pianists of all nationalities who are at least 20 years and maximum 30 years of age at the end of the Competition (i.e. 24 January 2026).
1.5
Liszt Utrecht strives to be an objective event and thus requires from all participants AND jury members to avoid conflicts of interests. Liszt Utrecht should be notified during the application if the applicant has been taught on a regular basis by any of the jury members.
Though, it is understood that it is likely that members of the Jury may be acquainted with some participants in the competition because of past associations (for example previous competitions, music festivals, masterclasses, or enrollment at academic institutions).
1.6
Liszt Utrecht consists of five phases:
1. Online pre-selection;
2. Live first round;
3. The academy;
4. The festival (six recitals);
5. The finale.
1.7
All decisions of the jury, the executive director or the board of Liszt Utrecht Foundation shall be final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding its decisions.
MAY 1, 2024
START APPLICATION
SUBMISSION
AUGUST 31, 2024
DEADLINE APPLICATION
OCTOBER 22, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE LIVE SELECTION ROUND
JANUARY 9 – 11, 2025
LIVE FIRST ROUND
JANUARY 11, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE FESTIVAL ROUND
SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
COMMISSIONED WORK
PROVIDED TO PIANISTS
SEPTEMBER 25 – 27, 2025
THE ACADEMY
NOVEMBER 1, 2025
DEADLINE FOR REPERTOIRE AND ORDER
JANUARY 16 – 22, 2026
THE FESTIVAL
JANUARY 24, 2026
THE FINALE
JANUARY 25, 2026
WINNERS CONCERT IN CONCERTGEBOUW AMSTERDAM
JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 7, 2026
WINNERS TOUR
3.1
Applications will be accepted until 31 August, 2024. No late or partial applications will be accepted.
3.2
Applications must be submitted by way of the MUVAC online platform. A link to the application site can be found on www.liszt.nl.
3.3
For the application, applicants must complete their Muvac profiles with the following information
a. Personal data: enter your personal data and upload your profile photo;
b. Resumé: under “CV / Resumé” enter your full curriculum vitae;
c. Required documents: under “Documents” please upload the following:
1. A recent, high-quality (at least 1 mb) ‘portrait’ photograph in JPEG format that is suitable for publication and free of copyright;
2. A scan of your passport or ID Card;
3. Videos: please upload your application video(s) to YouTube or Vimeo and add them to your Muvac profile under “Videos”. For pre-selection we require three videos:
i. One short ‘selfie video’ (maximum 3 minutes) in which you introduce yourself and explain your reasons for being a pianist.
ii. One performance video of maximum 15 minutes. It should only consist repertoire of Franz Liszt (original compositions, transcriptions, fantasies and/or paraphrases). Each video should apply to the following criteria:
• Live recording of a rehearsal or concert;
• Videos may be shortened, but should not be edited in any other way;
• Audio quality should be of acceptable quality.
3.4
All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee upon applying of € 150,-. The fee includes all payment charges.
4.1
The online pre-selection round takes place between 1 September and 14 October 2022
4.2
The pre-selection jury will consist of 4 jury members, including the jury members present for the live first round phase.
4.3
The online pre-selection is based on the provided materials of the applicants.
4.4
Every juror reviews all candidates based on a yes/no system. The 20 candidates with the most votes will proceed to the live selection round.
4.5
In case of equality of votes, a separate vote will be held for the tied participants.
4.6
The results of the pre-selection will be made public on 22 October 2024.
5.1
The live first round is scheduled to be held in Utrecht on 9, 10 and 11 January 2025.
5.2
A maximum of 20 nominees will be invited to participate.
5.3
Nominees should be available for the whole period of the selection rounds (possible arrival on the 8th, departure on 11th of January 2025). The exact date and time of performance will be announced on 23 October 2024.
Participants of the first rounds must arrange and pay for their own travel. Accommodation in Utrecht shall be provided.
5.5
Participants of the first rounds will receive a fee of 250 Euro. To be paid within 30 days after the first rounds.
5.6
The first rounds shall be held in public.
5.7
The first selection jury shall decide on the invitation of a maximum of 8 pianists to the festival phase.
The Academy will take place over the course of four days September 2025 (exact dates will be provided before February 2025).
All invited pianists are required to be present for the whole duration of the Academy.
The programme (to be determined) will include masterclasses, workshops and media events.
7.1
All concerts of Liszt Utrecht will be held at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht between 16 and 24 January 2026.
7.2
All eight pianists will perform six concerts during the festival phase. This includes the following performances:
I. Solo recital – Von Weber
II. Solo recital – Liszt Stories
III. Solo recital – Sonata
IV. Chamber music recital
V. Solo performance during ‘A Night at the Opera’
VI. Solo performance during ‘Pianist Promenade’
7.3
Three pianists will be selected to perform during the finals, which is a performance with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.
7.4
All performances of Liszt Utrecht shall be held in public.
7.5
The sequence of performance will be decided by one drawing of lots, which shall take place during the Academy in September 2025. Deviation from the determined order can only be decided on by the chairman of the Jury and shall only be permitted in exceptional cases.
7.6
The jury will be strict about the prescribed performance durations.
7.7
Invited pianists obliged to perform all performances as mentioned in 7.2 and 7.3.
7.8
Participants who are not admitted to the finals of the Competition will be provided the opportunity to discuss their performance with each member of the jury.
a. The jury is looking for imaginative programming and repertoire choices;
b. Any piece played in the selection rounds may be repeated in a subsequent round;
c. The recital programmes in phase 3 and phase 4 must not contain any repertoire in common;
d. No arrangements of Liszt’s music by other composers may be included in the candidates’ repertoires.
A performance with a maximum 15 minutes –Free choice of Liszt’s works (original compositions, transcriptions, fantasies and/or paraphrases). It is allowed to use an existing recording (maximum 5 years old).
• The duration of the programme may not exceed 40 minutes (including intervals).
• Free choice of Liszt’s works (original compositions, transcriptions, fantasies and/or paraphrases), but including ONE item from Category A AND ONE item from Category B AND ONE from Category C.
a. Scherzo in G min, S153 AND Two Hungarian Recruiting Dances ‘Zum Andenken’, S241
b. Lyon, S156/1
c. Les cloches de Genève: Nocturne, S160/9
d. Angélus! Prière aux Anges Gardiens, S163/1
e. Sunt Lacrymae Rerum, S163/5
f. Andante lagrimoso, S173/9
g. Berceuse, S174ii
h. Weihnachtsbaum, Carillon, S186/6 AND Abendglocken, S186/9
i. Fünf klavierstücke, 3, 4 AND 5, S192
j. Mosonyis Grabgeleit – Mosonyi Gyázmenete S194
k. Wiegenlied – Chant du berceau S198 AND Unstern! – Sinistre – Disastro S208
l. Nuages Gris, S199 AND Csárdás obstinée, S255/2
m. Die Trauergondel – La lugubre gondola I, S200/1 AND RW – Venezia, S201 AND Am Grabe Richard Wagners, S202
n. Recueillement – Bellini in memoriam, S204, AND Resignazione, S187b (second version)
o. Teleki Laszlo, S205/3 AND Déak Ferenc, S205/5 (from Historische Ungarische Bildnisse)
p. Galop, S218
q. Chanson du Béarn, S236/2
r. Ballade d’Ukraine, S249/1
s. Epithalam, S526 AND Abschied, S251
t. Il m’aimait tant!, S533
u. Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth, S534iii
v. Slyepoi ‘Der blinde Sänger’, S546
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORKS BY VON WEBER
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING HUNGARIAN RHAPSODIES
a. Momento capriccioso , Op12
b. Grande Polonaise, Op21
c. Rondo Brillante, Op62
d. Aufforderung zum tanz, Op65
e. Polanaise Brillante, Op72
f. 7 variations on a Gypsy Song, Op55
a. Rapsodie Hongroise XVI, S244/16
b. Rapsodie Hongroise XVII, S244/17
c. Rapsodie Hongroise XVIII, S244/18
d. Rapsodie Hongroise XIX, S244/19
A FREE CHOICE OF ONE LISZT TRANSCRIPTION(S)
FROM THE FOLLOWING OPERA’S AND AN OBLIGATORY
ENCORE:
a. Auer – La Fiancée - Grande fantasie sur la tyrolienne, S385i
b. Bellini – Sonnambula – Große Konzert-Fantasie, S393
c. Berlioz – Francs-Juges - Ouverture, S471
d. Donizetti – Lucia di Lammermoor - Marche funèbre et Cavatine, S398
e. Glinka – Rußlan und Ludmilla - Tscherkessenmarsch, S406ii AND Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin Polonaise, S429
f. Halévy – La juive – Réminiscences, S409a
g. Meyerbeer - Prophète, Les patineurs: Scherzo, S414/2
h. Meyerbeer – L’Africaine – Marche Indienne, S415/2
i. Meyerbeer – Robert le diable - Reminiscences, S413
j. Rossini – Guillaume Tell - Ouverture, S522
k. Verdi – Aida – Danza Sacra e Duetto final, S436
l. Verdi – Jerusalem (I Lombardi) – Salve Maria, S431 AND Verdi – Don Carlos – Coro di Festa e Marcia funebre, S435
m. Verdi – Boccanegra - Réminiscences, S438
n. Wagner – Parsifal – Feierlicher Marsch zum heiligen Gral
o. Wagner – Der fliegende Holländer - Spinnerlied, S440 AND Wagner – Der fliegende Holländer – Ballade, S441
p. Wagner – Lohengrin - Elsas Traum und Lohengrins Verweis, S446/2-3
q. Wagner – Tannhaüser – Einzug der Gäste auf der Wartburg, S445/1
r. Weber – Der Freischütz - Fantasie über themen, S451 (NOT the ouverture S575)
OBLIGATORY Encore:
A new commissioned encore work by Joey Roukens.
• A thematic recital with a duration of 45 to max. 50 minutes with free selection of works by any composer.
• As a starting point it should include at least ONE of the sets of works mentioned below. The remainder of the programme is free of choice, BUT needs to have a thematic connection to the selected work.
• Candidates are required to provide a written explanation about the theme of the recital as well as to why each piece was selected.
• Please be advised that artistic vision will be an important factor for the judging of this round.
• Candidates are encouraged to include spoken introduction(s) at the start and/or throughout their recital, this can be live on stage, or pre-recorded (recording opportunities will be provided by Liszt Utrecht).
a. Trois Odes funèbres: Les morts, S516 AND La notte, S516a;
b. Les Preludes, S511a
c. Glanes de Woronince, S249
d. Grosse Concert-Phantasie über spanische Weisen, S253
e. Drei Stücke aus der Legende der heiligen Elisabeth, S498a
f. Zwei Orchestersätze aus dem Oratorium Christus, S498b
g. Album d’un Voyageur, II Fleurs Melodiques des Alps, S156/7-9
h. À la chapelle Sixtine – Miserere d’Allegri et Ave verum corpus de Mozart, S461ii
AND Mozart/Liszt - Confutatis maledictis und Lacrymosa, S550
i. Six Consolations, S172 AND Liebesträume, 3 notturnos für piano, S541
j. St. François d’Assise: La prédication aux oiseaux, S175/1 (from Deux Légendes)
AND Cantico del Sol di San Francesco d’Assisi, S499
k. Pensée des Morts, S173/4 AND Funérailles, S173/7
l. Trois Morceaux suisses, S156a
m. Venezia e Napoli, S162 AND Rossini/Liszt - La Regata Veneziana – (from Soirrees Musicales), S424/2
AND La torre di Biasone - Canzona Napoletana, S399/3 (from Nuits d’été à Pausilippe)
n. Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe ‘Du berceau jusqu’à la tombe’, S512
o. Via Crucis, S504a
p. Buch der Lieder für Piano allein – 6 Poésies lyriques pour piano seul – II, S535-540
q. Au lac de Wallenstadt, S160/2 AND Au Bord d’une Source, S160/4 AND Les Jeux d’eaux à la villa d’Este, S163/4
r. Chopin/Liszt - Six chants polonais, S480 AND Liszt - Mazurka brillante, S221
s. Franz/Liszt – Zwölf Lieder, S489
t. Mendelssohn/Liszt - Konzert-paraphrase über Sommernachtstraum, S410
AND Wagner/Liszt – Elsas Brautzug zum Münster aus der Oper Lohengrin, S445
OBLIGATORY Encore:
1 Waltz from Weber - 6 Favorite Waltzes of the Queen of France, Marie Louise J-143-148
EACH CANDIDATE IS ASSIGNED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF PIECES, BASED ON THE DRAWING OF LOTS (CANDIDATES WILL BE INFORMED ABOUT THE SELECTION ON 12 JANUARY 2025).
a. SET 1
Weber - Sonata No1, Op24
AND Weber/Liszt - Konzertstück, S567a (solo)
b. SET 2
Weber - Sonata No2, Op39
AND Weber/Liszt - Ouverture Oberon, S574
c. SET 3
Weber - Sonata No3, Op49 AND Weber/Liszt - Leie rund Schwert nach Heroïde, S452 AND Weber/Liszt - Ouverture Freischutz, S575
d. SET 4
Weber - Sonata No4, Op70 AND Weber/Liszt - Eindsam bin Ich, nicht Alleine Volkslied aus Schauspiel Perciosa, S453 AND Weber/Liszt - Jubelouverture, S576
EACH CANDIDATE IS ASSIGNED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF PIECES, BASED ON THE DRAWING OF LOTS (CANDIDATES WILL BE INFORMED ABOUT THE SELECTION ON 12 JANUARY 2025).
a. SET 1
Liszt: Tristia, S378c (third version)
AND Weber – Trio flute,cello,piano, Op63 Mvmt 1 - allegro
AND Weber – Violin Sonata Op 10 No 3
b. SET 2
Liszt: Tristia, S378c (third version)
AND Weber – Trio flute, cello, piano, Op63 Mvmt 4 - Finale
AND Weber – Violin Sonata, Op 10 No 2 Mvmt 2 & 3
c. SET 3
Liszt/Saint-Saens: Orpheus S98
AND Weber – piano quartet, Op18Mvmt 1 - Allegro con fuoco
AND Weber – Grand Duo – Mvmt 3
d. SET 4
Liszt/Saint-Saens: Orpheus S98
AND Weber – piano quartet, Op18Mvmt 4 - Finale: presto
AND Weber – Grand Duo – Mvmt 1
OBLIGATORY PERFORMANCE OF LISZT – Sonata in B Minor, S178
A PERFORMANCE AT THE LOCAL SHOPPING MALL OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WITH A FREE CHOICE OF ACCESSIBLE REPERTOIRE. THIS MAY INCLUDE WORKS THAT ARE PERFORMED DURING OTHER ROUNDS.
A CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORKS:
a. Liszt – Piano Concerto No.1, S124
b. Liszt – Piano Concerto No.2, S125
8.11
Participants are free to decide the order of their programme and should state it when applying.
8.12
The choice of repertoire will need to be approved by the artistic advisory committee.
8.13
Participants of the first round are not allowed to change their choice of repertoire and order after the application deadline of 31 August 2024.
Participants admitted for participation in the festival phase shall be given the opportunity to change their choices and/or preferred order up until 1 November 2025.
8.15
Participants shall perform all rounds from memory (without the use of scores), except for the performance of the chamber music recital.
Participants are required to cooperate with all media activities that Liszt Utrecht provides, including interviews, photoshoots and additional performances. All interviews will be held in English; basic knowledge of the English language is required.
A sum of 25,000 Euro (this consists of 2.000 euros performance fee, and 23.000 euros prize money)
9.2
A sum of 10,000 euros each (this consists of 2.000 Euro performance fee, and 8.000 euros prize money)
THE FOLLOWING PRIZES:
9.3
A sum of 6,000 euros each (this consists of 2.000 Euro performance fee, and 8.000 euros prize money)
9.4
FOR ALL THREE PRIZE WINNERS, INCLUDING:
• International concert tour following directly after the Competition
• Concert management services, with engagements around the globe;
• Mentorship, with coaching and training opportunities;
• Publicist services (website, cds, etc.)
Being voted on by the public during the finals
A sum of 2,000 euros
9.6
Taxes shall be deducted from prizes in accordance with Dutch tax law in effect at the time of the Competition.
9.7
The Prize winners shall be obliged to fulfill the appearances attached to their prizes. Should a Prize winner remain in breach of this, she/he can lose her/ his claim to prizes, awards and appearances; on such matters, the board of Liszt Utrecht Foundation shall decide.
9.8
Prize winners must, if requested, play a maximum of three concerts for the benefit of the Competition, for which Liszt Utrecht Foundation shall pay no fee, but shall reimburse the costs of travel and accommodation.
10.1
The competitors will be assessed based on a ranking system.
10.2
The Ranking system works as follows:
• The members of the Jury will judge the competitors by ranking them with numbers (from 1 to 8) for each of the six recitals.
• It is allowed to rank multiple candidates on the same position (in other words, more than one candidate can rank as No. 1)
• The ranking of all jury members will be converted to a total average ranking by computer;
10.3
The first prize winner will be determined by the same ranking system with number (from 1 to 3).
10.4
Every jury member is always required to attend all sessions.
10.5
The jury will need to award all prizes. Sharing of a prize is not possible.
10.6
Should a participant be a regular student of one of the members of the jury, the latter will refrain from the jury voting in respect to such a participant.
10.7
Persons related to any jury member either by direct line or as an in-law to the third degree are excluded from taking part in the Competition.
10.8
Participants shall not communicate with jury members for as long as they take part in the competition, nor shall any other person communicate with the jury members on behalf of any participant. Violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification from the competition.
a. A fee of 2.000 Euro. To be paid within 30 days after the finales.
b. Reimbursement of pre-agreed reasonable economy travel expenses to and from the Netherlands (proposed travel arrangements should be discussed with Liszt Utrecht at least two months before the competition);
c. Free accommodation with host families in the Utrecht area for the duration of the competition;
d. A private instrument for practicing at the host family;
e. A (short) stage rehearsal for each round of the Competition. The competition will ensure sufficient rehearsal time with the chamber musicians, singers and the orchestra.
f. A recording of their performances during the Competition, free of rights, that may be used for promotional purposes.
Accompanying individuals including family members must make their own accommodation arrangements.
12.1
The Competition accepts no liability of any kind whatsoever for any personal illness or injury sustained by the participant, nor for loss or damage to a competitor’s belongings during transit or while at the Competition. Medical costs, of whatever nature, will not be reimbursed by the Liszt Competition.
12.2
Obtaining appropriate travel documents, visa and insurance is the sole responsibility of each competitor.
12.3
Host families shall not be held responsible for accidents or damage of any kind which may befall the participants, with the exception of those accidents that fall under third party insurance.
12.4
Participants must be free of professional obligations during the entire Competition period and the subsequently winners tour.
12.5
All communication between Liszt Competition and the participants will be directly, without interference of any third parties or artist managements.
a. With all articles in the rules & regulations;
b. With all ensuing engagements as part of any prize;
c. That all concert and recording engagements obtained by the Competition or its designates as part of the prizes will not be subject to any fee or commission payable to the prize winner’s current or future artist management;
d. That Liszt Utrecht Foundation is authorized to record, videotape, film, broadcast, and/or photograph any Competition concerts or events for any purpose, without payment of any fee. All rights, including copyright in such media shall vest in and be solely owned by Liszt Utrecht Foundation in perpetuity.
e. That Liszt Utrecht is authorized to collect, store and use their contact details for purposes connected to the competition and future activities of the Liszt Competition. No commercial third party will receive these contact details.