RULES & REGULATIONS

The 15th International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition takes place on August 15-16, 2026 at the Ehrbar Hall Vienna (Mühlgasse 30, 1040 Vienna)
Dates: August 15–16, 2026
Location: Ehrbar Saal, Mühlgasse 30, 1040 Vienna, Austria

Schedule:
March 1 – June 30, 2026 - Application Period
July 15, 2026 - Announcement of the Semi-Finalists

August 15, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. - 2nd Round
August 16, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. - final round
August 16, 2026 evening - Award Ceremony & Gala Concert

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Eligibility:
All pianists born between August 17, 1992 and August 16, 2010 are welcome to apply. First prize winners of past Rosario Marciano competitions are excluded from participation.
Age Limit: Between 16 and 33 years of age. Born between August 17, 1992 and August 16, 2010.

Download legal guardian consent (for applicants under 18)

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Repertoire:
The competition consists in total of three rounds. While the first round is an video preselection, the semi final and final take place in presence in Vienna. The Final round is open to the public

1st Round – Video Preselection
Applicants must submit two works by composers from different musical periods (e.g. Joseph Haydn and Rebecca Saunders).
Single movements from larger works are permitted.
Total duration: maximum 15 minutes.
Repertoire presented in the video preselection round may be repeated in subsequent live rounds.

Recording Guidelines
For an accurate evaluation of the performance, the audio should be of good quality and the video must clearly show the performer. Multi camera recordings of live performances (without audio editing) are allowed. A continuous recording of the two pieces is preferred, but separate videos are also permitted. Applicants are requested to upload their video to a streaming platform of their choice (e.g. YouTube) and include the video link with their application documents.

2nd Round - August 15, 2026 (Kleiner Ehrbar Saal)
Works of free choice, including one virtuosic étude
Duration: Maximum 10 minutes

3rd Round - August 16, 2026 (Ehrbar Saal)
Program: Works of free choice
Duration: Maximum 25 minutes

Instrument: C. Bechstein C-234 (Semi-Final), C. Bechstein D-282 (Final)

On the day of their performance, each participant will have the opportunity for a short stage test and a 30-minute warm-up (practice room) before their performance.

Participants can reserve practice rooms (for a fee) in the same building as the competition via www.musikquartier.at. 

Program Changes: Any changes to the submitted program after the application deadline require approval by the competition organizers.

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Application Period: March 1 – June 30, 2026
Applicants must submit the following by the deadline (June 30, 2026):
Completed application form
Video recording for the 1st Round (see recording guidelines)
Proof of age (passport or ID)
Curriculum vitae (optional)
Application fee

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Application Fee:
€50 (non-refundable) application fee is required from all applicants and must be paid at the time of application.

Applicants selected for the Second Round are required to pay an additional €50, which must be transferred to the bank account listed below no later than July 25, 2026.

All payments must be made by bank transfer to the following account. Please state the applicant’s full name and “application fee” in the payment reference:

Account Holder: Anna Leyerer
IBAN: AT93 2011 1842 4731 4400
BIC / SWIFT Code: GBAATWWXXX
Bank Name: ERSTE BANK
Payment Reference: applicant’s full name + “application fee”

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Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Grand Prix Rosario Marciano
€ 1.500,- cash prize 
Recital in Vienna as part of the Golden Key Music Festival Vienna 2027.

Second prize
€1.000,- Cash prize

Third prize
€ 500,- Cash prize

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Jury:
George Borisov
Chema Casanova
Michael Korstick
Stephan Möller
Tetiana Shafran

Decisions of the jury are final and binding. The jury’s evaluations and scores for the semifinal and final round will be made public.
By submitting an application, participants agree to comply with all competition rules and regulations.