Category
Competition Category and Repertoire
Pre-screening round
The pre-screening round will determine who is eligible to participate in the competition. While the repertoire for this round is free choice, it is highly recommended to adhere to the repertoire guidelines below as doing so will increase your chances of being shortlisted for the final round. Participants are allowed to choose the same performance for the final round if they wish.
Online Final
Category A - Age 15 and below (professional level/music school/college)
Free choice of two pieces in a contrasting style; the total playing time should be below 15 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Category B - Age 22 and below (professional level/music school/college)
Free choice of two pieces in a contrasting style; the total playing time should be below 20 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Category C - Age 23 and above (professional level/music school/college)
Free choice of two pieces in a contrasting style; the total playing time should be below 20 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Competitors for Category A/B/C should perform their programme without repeats,
All pieces must be played from memory.
Category D - Age 12 and below (Non-Professionals）
Free choice of one piece; the total playing time should be below 7 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Category E - Age 18 and below (Non-Professionals）
Free choice of one or more pieces; the total playing time should be below 10 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Category F - Age 19 and above (Non-Professionals）
Free choice of one or more pieces; the total playing time should be below 15 minutes.
Alternatively, use the repertoire guidance for the Grand Final.
Competitors for Category D/E/F should perform their programme without repeats,
Playing by memory is recommended, not mandatory.
Grand Final
Category A - Age 15 and below (professional level/music school/college)
Suggested timing should be below 15 minutes.
Select two of the following:
1. One virtuoso study from any following composer : Chopin, Czerny, Clementi, Liszt, Rachmaninoff)
2. 1st movement from a classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
3. One work of applicant's free choice except composition post-1940
Category B - Age 22 and below (professional level/music school/college)
Suggested timing should be below 20 minutes
Select two of the following:
1. One Prelude and Fugue from Bach ”Well-Tempered Clavier” Book I or ll.
2. One Etude by Chopin, Liszt, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin or Ligeti.
3. One movement of sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert (Without repeat)
Category C - Age 23 and above (professional level/music school/college)
Suggested timing should be below 20 minutes
Select two of the following:
1. One Prelude and Fugue from Bach ”Well-Tempered Clavier” Book I or ll.
2. One Etude by Chopin, Liszt, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin or Ligeti.
3. One sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert (Without repeat)
Competitors for Category A/B/C should perform their programme without repeats,
All pieces must be played from memory.
Category D - Age 12 and below (For non-professionals)
Suggested timing should be below 10 minutes
Select one or two of the following:
1. One movement from any recognised piano examination board, level should consider to be above ABRSM Grade 5
2. One contrasting work of applicant's choice to option 1.
Category E - Age 18 and below (For non-professionals)
Suggested timing should be below 10 minutes
Select one or two of the following:
1. One movement from Baroque or Classical period (i.e Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven)
2. One movement from Romantic period (i.e Chopin, Liszt etc)
Category F - Age 19 and above (For non-professionals)
Suggested timing should be below 15 minutes
Select one or two of the following:
1. One movement from Baroque or Classical period (i.e Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven)
2. One movement from Romantic period (i.e Chopin, Liszt etc)
Competitors for Category D/E/F should perform their programme without repeats,
Playing by memory is recommended, not mandatory.