The International Youth Piano Competition named after S.V. Rachmaninoff for the first time will be held in March 21-26, 2023 – the year of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Rachmaninov in Veliky Novgorod, the composer’s native region.

The competition will be held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

 “Talented musicians from around the world were looking forward to the International Competition of Pianists, Composers and Conductors named after S.V. Rachmaninov. The project was held for the first time and became a global event, attracted many contestants and proved that our art is open to everyone. In the anniversary year of the legendary musician we are launching its “satellite” – the International Youth Piano Competition named after S.V. Rachmaninov. I am sure that the creative review will not only demonstrate the bright professional achievements of the participants, but will also allow us to see the trends in the development of the world musical art,” said Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.

 “2023 will be a landmark year for the Novgorod region and for those who dedicate their lives to music. Veliky Novgorod is the birthplace of Rachmaninov, the place where he got his first vivid impressions. In the year of the composer’s anniversary, we are launching the first youth competition of the same name at the federal level. Famous jury members will come to honor the memory and touch the place where the Russian genius was born and, of course, discover new talents. I am sure that we will hold the competition worthily,” said Andrey Nikitin, Governor of the Novgorod Region.

On February 22 we completed the acceptance of applications for participation in the International Youth Piano Competition named after Sergei Rachmaninov. In total, 120 applications from 8 countries of the world were submitted for the competition: Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, China, Colombia, Norway and Uzbekistan. The largest number of applications came from Russia and China.

Online broadcasts of all stages of the Contest will be supported by the largest Russian social network VKontakte. Live viewing the events of the musical contest will be available on the official website of the Competition from March 21 to March 26, as well as in its official VKontakte community.

The Official opening of the first International Youth Piano Competition named after S.V. Rachmaninov will take place on March 21 at the Novgorod Regional Philharmonic. The artistic director and chairman of the jury will be the People’s Artist of Russia, a pianist Denis Matsuev. The jury will include prominent figures of Russian and foreign culture as well as famous musicians.

 “I invite all talented children to take part in this unique competition named after the unequalled pianist of all time – Sergei Rachmaninoff,” says Denis Matsuev. “I think it would be impossible to celebrate his anniversary year more vividly than to hold a youth competition named after him, which, I am sure, will light up new stars and give the world a whole generation of the brightest musicians.”

The competition consists of an absentee qualifying round, as well as live I and II (final) rounds. No more than 15 pianists will be allowed to participate in the live rounds.

According to the results of the competition the finalists will be awarded 5 prizes of the laureate of the competition in the amount of 350 thousand rubles and 10 prizes of the competition diploma winner of 100 thousand rubles each. The Grand Prix winner will be determined according to the results of the performance of the laureates in the final gala concert.

 The organization and holding of the competition will be carried out by the Federal State Budgetary Cultural Institution ROSCONCERT with the support of the Government of the Novgorod Region