Adult competition

The 16th edition of the Competition will take place in 2024

The 15th edition of the Competition took place in April 2022

The International piano competition of Orléans always looks far into the distance, to the music of the future, whilst also exploring the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries.

With this spirit in mind and in celebration of its 15th edition, the competition will celebrate in 2022 French music and creation with two important events: the Proust centenary and the 70th birthday of Philippe Manoury, the great composer and pioneer in the field of electronic music from whom the competition will commission a new work.
Another of the composer’s works will also be featured during the Final round, his “Passacaille pour Tokyo” performed by the Ensemble intercontemporain and the three finalists. We will also journey through the early 20th century with a choice of works for the finalists composed between 1915 and 1930: an opportunity to embark upon a real journey back in time with this repertoire created exactly 100 years ago.

In 2022, the Competition of Orléans pays tribute to the great Marcel Proust, whose passing exactly 100 years ago is commemorated both in France and throughout the world. In Search of Lost Time covers a musical universe dear to the Competition and an interesting relationship to sound for a performer to explore.
The great English cellist Steven Isserlis, very close to this repertoire and to the subject of Proust, has done us the honour of imagining a list of works that transport us to an imaginary Proustian salon that traverses the 20th and 21st centuries, much like the Competition of Orléans!

Looking forward, exploring the world around you and, above all else, knowing how to open your mind: this is the Competition’s motto, which awaits you with wonderful surprises and revelations!

Isabella Vasilotta, Artistic director

Find here the catalogue of the 15th Competition.
The pdf rules of the 2022 Competition can be downloaded here

 

December 2nd 2021: Application deadline
December 16th 2021: Notification of candidates selected for the Competition
January 10th 2022: Deadline for programme modification
ORLEANS
April 1st 2022 (7.00pm): Draw & meeting with the Competition team

April 2nd & 3rd 2022: Rehearsals of the candidates
April 4th & 5th 2022: First round
April 6th 2022: Rehearsals of the Semi-finalists
April 7th 2022: Semi-Final Recital
April 8th & 9th 2022: Rehearsals of the Finalists
April 10th 2022 (3.00pm): Final round
PARIS
April 11th 2022 (8.30pm): Concert of the finalists at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord

APRIL 4th – 5th 2022 / SALLE DE L’INSTITUT
FIRST ROUND – ALL SELECTED CANDIDATES
Between 20’ and 25’

  1. Choose two contrasting etudes (see the paragraph ‘Details about the programme’ in the pdf Rules)
    Candidates are requested to present two contrasting études: For this first round, the candidate will demonstrate their interpretative and technical abilities – these etudes play a vital role in showcasing these abilities. Candidates are asked to present two études – preferably from two different periods – but most importantly they should each demonstrate a contrasting musical language or technique.
  2. Perform in creation a newly composed piece for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize (between 6’ and 8’) – (see. p. 6 of the pdf Rules)
  3. Select a piece from the ”In the salon of Marcel Proust” list:

The Competition of Orléans pays tribute to the great Marcel Proust, whose passing exactly 100 years ago is commemorated both in France and throughout the world. In Search of Lost Time covers a musical universe dear to the Competition and an interesting relationship to sound for a performer to explore. The great English cellist Steven Isserlis, very close to this repertoire and to the subject of Proust, has done us the honour of imagining a list of works that transport us to an imaginary Proustian salon that traverses the 20th and 21st centuries, much like the Competition of Orléans!

List of pieces “In the salon of Marcel Proust”:
– Gabriel Fauré, Nocturne No. 13 in B minor, Op. 119
– Claude Debussy, Étude pour les arpèges composés et Elegie
– Olivier Messiaen, Quatre Études de rythme : 1. Île de feu et 2. Modes de valeurs et d’intensités
– Henri Dutilleux, Trois Préludes : 3. Le jeu des contraires
– Igor Stravinsky, Quatre Études Op. 7
– Sergei Prokofiev, Quatre pièces Op.4
– Karol Szymanowski, Deux Mazurkas Op. 62
– Béla Bartók, Trois Études Op. 18
– György Kurtág, Szálkák (Splinters)
– Oliver Knussen, Sonya’s Lullaby
– Olli Mustonen, Sielulintu
– Thomas Adès, Trois Mazurkas op 27
– George Benjamin, Piano Sonata : 1. Vivace
– Elliott Carter, 90+
– John Adams, American Berserk

APRIL 7th 2022 / SALLE DE L’INSTITUT
SEMI-FINAL RECITAL – 7 CANDIDATES
Between 55’ and 60’
=> Base the programme around a chosen theme and present this idea in a short statement of intent.

  1. Perform the new mandatory piece by Philippe Manoury (8’ / see p. 4 of the pdf Rules): ‘Réseaux’ and ‘Dérèglements’
    Commission by the International piano competition of Orléans.

    © Éditions Durand – Universal Music Publishing Classical. The score will be available and viewable online from October 2021. It will be sent free of charge to all the registered candidates.
  2. Perform at least one of the Special Prizes – 20th Century Composers (see p. 7 of the pdf Rules) among: André Boucourechliev, Edison Denisov, Olivier Greif, André Jolivet, Maurice Ohana, Albert Roussel, Isang Yun.
  3. Complete the programme with a choice of pieces composed between 1900 and 2021.

APRIL 10th 2022 – 3.00pm / THÉATRE D’ORLÉANS
FINAL – 3 CANDIDATES
50’ maximum

  1. Philippe Manoury, Passacaille pour Tokyo – 20’
    With the ’Ensemble intercontemporain – Julien Leroy, conductor (see. p. 5 of the pdf Rules).
  2. One piece from the list ‘The piano between 1915 and 1930’ (see below) or one piece composed between 1915 and 1930, previously validated by the artistic direction of the Competition – between 10’ and 25’.
  3. One ‘encore’ chosen by the candidate, composed between 1920 and today, and which completes the duration of the round – which is 50’ maximum

We ask candidates to choose a piece from the proposed list (see below) which is made up of works written between 1915 and 1930 … exactly 100 years ago! This list is not limited, the candidates may also propose a piece chosen by themselves to the artistic direction, composed at the same time and lasting 10 to 25 minutes.

List of pieces for the Final :

  • Béla Bartok, Dance Suite –  18:00 (1926) 
  • Ferruccio Busoni, Toccata BV 287 – 10:30 (1920) and Sonatina no. 6 “Chamber Fantasy on Carmen” – 7:00 (1920)
  • Alfredo Casella, A notte alta – 18:00 (1917) 
  • Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Rapsodia Piedigrotta – 22:00 (1924)
  • Aaron Copland, Passacaglia 6:30 (1922) and Variations 11:00 (1930)
  • Henry Cowell, Three Irish Legends – 11:30 (1917-22) and The Banshee – 4:33 (1925)
  • Marcel Dupré, Quatre pièces op.19 – 14:00 (1921) or Variazioni – 15:00 (1924)
  • Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté – Piano Sonata No. 1 – 12:00 (1923)
  • Georges Enesco – Sonata 1 – 22:00 (1924)
  • Samuel Feinberg, Sonata 6 – 15:00 (1923)
  • Pierre-Octave Ferroud, Types – 11:00 (1922-24) and Au parc monceau – 10:00 (1921)
  • Darius Milhaud, Saudade do Brasil – 20:00 (1921)
  • Fedrico Mompou, Cancion y Danza : La filla del Carmesí (1921) and Senyora Isabel (1918-24) and Noi de la Mare (berceuse de Noël) (1926) and El Mariner (1928) – 14:00
  • Carl Nielsen, Suite op.45 – 22:00 (1919)
  • Francis Poulenc, 5 impromptus – 6:30 (1920-21) and Napoli 10:00 (1925)
  • Serge Prokofiev, Sonata 5 op.38 – 15:00 (1925)
  • Maurice Ravel, La Valse – 12:00 (1920)
  • Arnold Schönberg, Suite per pianoforte op. 25 – 15:00 (1923)
  • Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (Leon Dudley), Le jardin parfumé, KSS 35 – 20:00 (1923)
  • Igor Stravinsky, Trois mouvements de Petrouchka – 18:00 (1921)
  • Alexandre Tansman, Mazurkas, 1er recueil à Albert Roussel – 17:00 (1918 – 1928)
  • Alexander Tcherepnin, Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 – 18:00 (1918)
  • Joaquin Turina, Sanlucar de Barrameda : 1. En la Torre del Castillo, 2. Silueta de la Calzada, 3. La Playa – 19:00 – (1922)
  • Heitor Villa-Lobos, Rudepoêma, W. 184 – 18:00 (1921-26) 

 

The pdf document of the Rules is available here

DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The order of performance of the pieces may be different from that indicated above (and page 3 of the pdf Rules), for each of the three rounds of the Competition.

We ask candidates to carefully read the information provided in the section “PRIZE LIST AND AWARDS” regarding choices for the Special prizes and the piece presented for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize.

We will be looking for original and coherent programmes that showcase the candidates’ talent and the pieces being presented. For this reason, we have decided to give candidates the freedom to create their own programme for the Semi-final Recital.
To explain their choices, candidates will present a short statement of intent (in French or English only) to accompany their programmes for the Semi-final Recital.

Candidates are requested to find a balance between the following periods: 1900-1918 / 1918-1945 / 1945-1968 / 1968-2000 / 2000-2021. These periods are defined according to major historic events. Of course, the aesthetic boundaries between these periods are not as clearly defined.
We particularly welcome programmes that will bring together the most recent music and the French repertoire of the early 20th Century.

=> Multimedia, electronics, prepared piano:
The exploration of musical language and the evolution of the piano as an instrument is an essential element of our Competition. For this reason, we encourage candidates to also present pieces for prepared piano or for piano and electronics or for piano and multimedia.

ELIGIBILITY

The 15th International piano competition of Orléans is open to both male and female pianists of all nationalities, born on or after January 1st, 1986.
Pianists can participate in the Competition a maximum of three times. When a pianist is applying for the second or third time they must present a new programme. A maximum of two pieces already performed in previous years will be tolerated.
Candidates are not required to perform from memory.
Performances for the Competition rounds will be open to the public and will be recorded.

JURY
The seven members of the jury are chosen and nominated by the artistic director for their international renown in the world of piano and contemporary music.
The jury’s decisions are final.
The jury will have full freedom to award prizes or not to award prizes, to award Prizes ex aequo or to award several Prizes to a single candidate.
Jury deliberations are governed by internal rules and for the Special Prizes the jury will follow the conditions linked to each Prize. These documents will be available on our website at the time of the competition.
At the end of each round, candidates who are not selected to go through to the next round can ask the members of the jury for feedback on their performances.

ACCOMMODATION/TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
Candidates can stay with a local family, free of charge, for the duration of the competition* – on demand only at the time of registration.
We kindly ask candidates to contact their host family as soon as the Competition organisers have passed on their details.
As candidates are hosted on a voluntary basis by families, we ask that they respect the basic principles of politeness and good behaviour.
The Competition is not responsible for any costs incurred by candidates due to illness or accidents during their stay in Orléans. Competition organisers ask each candidate to give on the registration form the contact details of a friend or relative who can be contacted in case of emergency.
A list of hotels and guest houses with preferential rates can be sent to candidates on request (payable by the candidate).
We can provide candidates with the necessary documents required for a visa application.
* subject to favorable sanitary conditions

DRAW
The order of performance of the candidates will be determined by a draw which will take place on April 1st 2022 at 7.00pm, Salle de l’Institut (Orléans).
All candidates must be present to meet the artistic director and the Competition organizers and to be informed of the precise arrangements of the Competition.
Candidates who are unable to attend the draw must provide a valid reason for their absence. Any absent candidates will have their number drawn by a member of the team of Competition organizers.
The order of the candidates will be the same throughout the Competition, except for exceptional circumstances and on decision of the artistic director.
Candidates are asked to send to the Competition organizers the day and time of arrival in Orléans at least 10 days before the draw.

DETAILS ABOUT REHEARSALS AND PIANOS
Candidates will be assessed on two Steinway & Sons pianos, one for keyboard pieces and the other for prepared pieces.
Candidates will be able to rehearse on the Competition’s pianos, Salle de l’Institut, before the First round of the competition. Each candidate will receive the same amount of rehearsal time (30 min). A rehearsal timetable will be established once candidates have arrived – during the draw.
Candidates will be able to rehearse and study on pianos at the Orléans Conservatory, and these will be made available to them for the duration of the Competition.
About the rehearsals with the ensemble: The finalists will rehearse with the soloists of the Ensemble intercontemporain between the Semi-final recital and the Final.

Online registration until:  December 2nd 2021 included.
Applications are now closed.

Pay the registration fee here

Only complete applications will be considered.
Online application must include the following documents (preferably in Word or PDF format):

  • Identity information and contact details of the candidate + contact details of the relative to contact in case of emergency
  • A copy of your valid passport
  • Two recent photographs (10.5 x 15cm / 300 dpi)
  • A document confirming payment of the registration fee
  • Curriculum Vitae (maximum of two pages – written in French or English only)
  • Two recent letters of recommendation
  • A recent, unedited, good quality video recording of the performance of two short pieces of contrasting music (total length of the video: 10’). Find here an advice for a successful video recording.
    For help on how to film this video, applicants are advised to watch the videos of the online first round of the 14th International piano competition of Orléans 2020 on our YouTube channel: Concours international de piano d’Orléans.
    Youtube link and MP4 file (sent by email/Wetransfer) are both accepted. Please contact us if you require further technical information.
  • The chosen programme for the first three rounds with full details and timings. For the first round, the chosen piece for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize (6’-8’) can be submitted after the applicant has been selected.
  • A short statement of intent (written in French or English only) for the programme of the Semi-final Recital.
  • A detailed list of technical requirements for pieces with electroacoustic devices or video.

–> Please ensure that the documents and files you submit are of adequate quality.

The registration fee is €100 and this is non-refundable.
This registration fee must be paid when submitting an application, either online here
or by bank transfer to:
Banque : Société Générale Orléans, 14 avenue des Droits de l’Homme 45000 Orléans
Code IBAN : FR76 3000 3015 4000 0509 0641 706
Code SWIFT : SOGEFRPP
Bénéficiaire : Orléans Concours International

Payment by cheque issued from a French bank account is accepted.
Do not hesitate to contact the Competition organisers if you need any help or have any questions.

For each edition of the Competition, a new piano piece is commissioned to an internationally renowned composer.

For the 2022 Semi-final recital, a work composed of 2 mandatory pieces has been commissioned by the Competition to Philippe Manoury (Editions Durand- Universal Music Publishing Classical).
The scores are viewable online. The paper scores will be sent free of charge to all the registered candidates of the Competition, in the coming weeks.

Work commissioned by the Competition to the French composer Philippe Manoury : Réseaux (2’30) and Dérèglements (4’30)

Note of intent of the composer Philippe Manoury.

Discover the call to candidacy for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud 3rd Prize – 5 000 €
Offered by the Fondation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud, under the aegis of the Fondation de France

Dear Composers,
Since 1998 the International piano competition of Orléans offers a Composition Prize for a new piece for piano lasting 6 to 8 minutes.
This Prize is awarded to the composer of the piece that each candidate (pianist) has to play during the first round of the Competition.
For the 15th edition of the Competition, the composer can be either the candidate (pianist) himself if he is a composer (this is not an improvised piece), either a composer chosen by the candidate, or a composer part of a list selected by the artistic direction of the Competition.
If you are a composer and want to include your application file among those which will be proposed to candidates who have not chosen a composer themselves, you can send to the International piano competition of Orléans a file with:
– your biography and CV
– three scores of which at least one with piano (and recordings if possible)
– a statement of intent on the work that you want to compose for the Competition
On December 16th 2021, the preselection jury will announce the names of the pianists admitted to the 15th International piano competition of Orléans. On the same date, the artistic direction who will have made a selection from the files of the composers will submit this list to the pianist candidates who will thus be able to choose a composer. We will put you in contact.
You will be officially nominated for the Composition Prize of the 15th International piano competition of Orléans.
The creation of the piece will take place during the first round, between April 4th and 5th, 2022. After deliberation of the jury, the results will be kept in a sealed envelope and handed to the artistic direction. As for the other awards, the Composition Prize will be announced and given to the laureate at the official awards ceremony which will take place just after the Competition Final on April 10th, 2022.

Warning: we do not ask you to have already written the piece for the Competition at the time of sending the file. You can start writing the work only after being selected by the pianist.

Deadline to send your candidacy: December 2nd 2021 included.
Send your file to
: info@oci-piano.fr

Applications are now closed.

Following the Competition and for two years after the Prizes have been awarded, the Competition organization will offer support to laureates, to help them develop their careers as professional pianists.
To help laureates develop a solid, long-term career, the Competition organization provides artistic guidance as well as guidance for career management and image.

Over these two years, the Competition organization offers laureates diverse career development opportunities:

  • laureates are introduced to composers and other important figures in the world of contemporary music to enhance their artistic development.
  • CD recording of an original project (for the First Prize of the Competition)
  • national and international concert tours
  • engagements for concerts, conferences and other piano events in partnership with prestigious music institutions in France and internationally — thanks in particular to partners such as Steinway & Sons and their Steinway Prizewinner Concerts Network programme.

The Competition brings to the knowledge of the public and the professional world of classical and contemporary music, talented pianists from all over the world who will be evaluated by our jury on the interpretation and the power of transmission of the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Jury members of the Competition:
Philippe Manoury – Président

Cecilia Balestra
Françoise Clerc
Peter-Paul Kainrath
Ichiro Nodaira
Tamara Stefanovich
Francesco Tristano

  • INTERPRETATION PRIZES

Blanche Selva BEG Ingénierie 1st Prize – 12 000 €
Offered by the Corporate Foundation BEG Ingénierie.

Caisse des Dépôts 2nd Prize – 8 000 €

André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud 3rd Prize – 5 000 €
Offered by the Fondation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud, under the aegis of the Fondation de France.

Orléans Music Conservatory students Prize – 1 500 €
Offered by the Rotary Club of Orléans and awarded by a jury of students of Orléans Music Conservatory during the final round.

  • COMPOSITION PRIZE

André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize – 5 000 €
Offered by the Foundation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud under the aegis of the Fondation de France.

This Prize is mandatory and is awarded to the composer of the piece. The name of the chosen composer does not need to be included in the applicant’s programme when they submit their application. Applicants have until January 10th, 2022 to communicate this to the Competition if they are selected. The title of the piece may be announced in February 2022.
The composer must be:
either the candidate (pianist) himself if he is a composer (this is not an improvised piece)
or a composer chosen by the candidate
=> If required, the Competition can provide pianists who have been selected to compete with the full details (scores, recordings, biographies etc.) of a selection of international composers who are interested in competing for this Prize.
Following the first round and after deliberation of the jury, the results will be kept in a sealed envelope and handed to the artistic director.
As for the other awards, the Composition Prize will be announced and given to the laureate at the official awards ceremony which will take place just after the Competition Final on April 10th, 2022.

New partnership with France Musique

France Musique, the classical music, jazz and creation channel, accompanies musical life and supports creation in all its forms.

As a  partner of the 15th edition of the Competition, it will honour the winner of  the Composition Prize by broadcasting à brand new work on its channel.

Commissioned by Radio France, this piece will be recorded and broadcasted on France Musique in Anne Montaron’s programme “Création Mondiale”, and will be available for listening on francemusique.fr

 

  • SPECIAL PRIZES
    The Special Prizes are awarded by institutions who promote the work or career of a major 20th century composer or pianist. Find information about the different Special Prizes on our website.

20TH CENTURY INTERPRETERS
    Samson François Prize – 2 000 €
    Offered by the Association Les Amis de Josette Samson François.

    Ricardo Viñes Prize – 2 500 €
    Supported by the Conseil Départemental du Loiret, awarded to the best performance of a French piece composed between 1900 and 1940.

20TH CENTURY COMPOSERS
In their programme for the Semi-final recital, each candidate should present at least one Special Prize – 20th Century Composers. Candidates competing for a Special Prize linked to a composer are expected to demonstrate real artistic commitment and these pieces should be coherent with the rest of the programme.
=> For each Special Prize, the candidate must present at least 8 minutes of music of the composer concerned.

    André Boucourechliev Prize – 4 000 €
    Offered by the Fondation André Boucourechliev, under the aegis of      the Fondation de France.
    The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire work      of the composer.

    Edison Denisov Prize – 2 000 €
    Offered by Mrs Ekaterina Denisova.
    The candidates will have to choose among the following pieces:
    – Variations and Trois préludes
    – Signes en blanc
    – Reflets

    Henri Dutilleux/Geneviève Joy Residency
    Offered by the Association Maison Henri Dutilleux – Geneviève Joy / Rencontres et création musicale.
    A one month residency at Maison Henri Dutilleux – Geneviève Joy in Candes-Saint-Martin (France) will be awarded to a laureate chosen by the Jury among the 3 finalists. Playing Dutilleux’s music will be a plus for obtaining this residency, but it is not compulsory.

    Olivier Greif Prize – 2 500 €
    Offered by the Association Olivier Greif.
    The candidates will have to play one of the following pieces:
    – Sonate de guerre, 1st movement or 2nd and 3rd movements
    – Les Plaisirs de Chérence, 1st, 3rd and 5th movements, or 1st, 4th and 5th movements
    – Portraits et Apparitions, pièces 1, 4 and 7
    – Sonate dans le goût ancien
    – Sonate Le Rêve du monde, 2nd, 3rd and 4th movements

    André Jolivet Prize – 2 500 €
    Offered by the Association Les Amis d’André Jolivet and Mrs Christine Jolivet-Erlih.
    The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire work of the composer.
    Candidates presenting Mana or the Cinq Danses rituelles will have to play the entire piece.

    Maurice Ohana Prize – 2 500 €
    Offered by the Association Les Amis de Maurice Ohana.
    The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire works of the composer.

    Albert Roussel Prize – 2 000 €
    Offered by the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot –  Comité Albert Roussel.
    The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire  works of the composer.

    Isang Yun Prize – 2 000 €
    Offered by the composer Mrs Unsuk Chin.
    The candidates will be free to choose a piece among the entire  works of the composer.

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