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PERFORMANCE&PROGRAM

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APPLICATION

Performance&Program Requirements

The 2nd Carl Bechstein Piano Competition for Young Pianists (Thailand)

Performance Requirements - Elite Categories

  • Performances are to be done by memory.
  • Repertoire may not be repeated, i.e. pieces performed in the 1st round may not be performed again in the 2nd round. But the repeat from DVD round is acceptable.
  • The duration of the performance will be noted in the program requirements.
  • Performances that do not comply with the program requirements will be subject to disqualification.
  • Contest organizers reserve the right to make changes and adjustments to the program requirements.
  • Free program, selecting from the 1st round, for DVD Round
    Infant Group, Youth Group, Group A & B : 3 – 6 minutes
    Group C and Group D  : 7 – 10 minutes
    University Level : 10 – 15 minutes
    Note: A DVD with high-definition video quality and no sound editing is strongly preferred. The entire video must be recorded continuously, without any editing. DVDs with lower video quality will be less favored by the jury.
    The announcement of the finalists will be made no later than January 25, 2026.

Program Requirements - 1st Round - Elite Categories

  • Infant Group (up to 5 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     One polyphonic work by any composers or baroque music or any work from Classical period or free of choice. Duration up to 5 minutes
  • Youth Group (6-7 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     One Polyphonic work by JS Bach. Little Preludes or Two Part Invention
  •     Virtuosic etude of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 6 minutes
  • Group A (8-9 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     One Polyphonic work by J.S. Bach. Two or Three Part Invention
  •     A virtuosic Etude of the participant’s choice
  •     A work of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 10 minutes.
  • Group B (10-12 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     Polyphonic work by J.S. Bach. Two pieces “Two Part invention” or One piece “Three Part Invention” or at least 2 contrasts from Partita (fast, slow containing a Courant and Gigue)
  •     A virtuosic Etude of the participant’s choice.
  •     One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 15 minutes.
  • Group C (13-14 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     Polyphonic work by J.S. Bach. A Suite, Partita (at least three dances, one of which is a Courant or a Giga), Well Tempered Clavier.
  •     A virtuosic Etude of the participant’s choice.
  •     One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 15 minutes.
  • Group D (15-17 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     Polyphonic work by J.S. Bach. A Suite, Partita (at least three dances, one of which is a Courant or a Giga), Well Tempered Clavier.
  •     A virtuosic Etude.
  •     One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 20 minutes.
  • University Level (18-20 years old inclusive)
  • Program can be repeated from DVD Round.
  •     Polyphonic work by J.S. Bach. A Suite, Partita (at least three dances, one of which is a Courant or a Giga), Well Tempered Clavier.
  •     A virtuosic Etude.
  •     One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 25 minutes.

Program Requirements - 2nd Round - Elite Categories

  • The program must be different from the 1st round.
  • Youth Group (6-7 years old inclusive)
  • One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 6 minutes.
  • Group A (8-9 years old inclusive)
  • A Classical Sonatina: either the 1st movement, or the 2nd and 3rd movements.
  • One or more works of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 10 minutes.
  • Group B (10-12 years old inclusive)
  • A work from the Viennese Classical period: either the 1st movement, or the 2nd and 3rd movements of a sonata, variation, or concerto by J. Haydn. Or Concerto 1st Movement or 2nd, 3rd by J. S. Bach
  • A work of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 15 minutes.
  • Group C (13-14 years old inclusive)
  • A work from the Viennese Classical period: either the 1st movement, or the 2nd and 3rd movements of a sonata, variation, or concerto by J. Haydn. W.A. Mozart, or L. van Beethoven or Schubert
  • A work of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 20 minutes.
  • Group D (15-17 years old inclusive)
  • A work from the Viennese Classical period: one or more movements, or a complete Sonata or Concerto by J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, or F. Schubert.
  • A work of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 25 minutes
  • University Level (18-20 years old inclusive)
  • A work from the Viennese Classical period: one or more movements, or a complete Sonata or Concerto by J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, or F. Schubert.
  • A work of the participant’s choice. Duration of up to 30 minutes

Four Hands Piano Program Requirements:

  • Four Hands Piano – Children Class (9 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 3 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.
  • Four Hands Piano – Junior Class (13 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 5 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.
  • Four Hands Piano – Teenage Class (17 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 8 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.

Two piano-Four Hands Program Requirements :

  • Two Piano-Four Hands – Children Class (9 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 3 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.
  • Two Piano-Four Hands – Junior Class (13 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 5 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.
  • Two Piano-Four Hands – Teenage Class (17 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance Time: within 8 minutes)
    Any one piece in any period.

Concerto Program Requirements. (On your own “Piano Accompaniment”)

  • Concerto – Children Class (9 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance time : no time limit)
    Any Concerto in any period. 1st.Mov. or 2nd and 3rd Mov.
  • Concerto– Junior Class (13 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance time : no time limit)
    Any Concerto in any period. 1st.Mov. or 2nd and 3rd Mov.
  • Concerto– Teenage Class (17 years old or below)
  • One round (Performance time : no time limit)
    Any Concerto in any period. 1st.Mov. or 2nd and 3rd Mov.

Performance Requirements - Rising Stars Categories

  • Performances are to be done by memory.
  • The duration of the performance will be noted in the program requirements.
  • Performances that do not comply with the program requirements will be subject to disqualification.
  • Contest organizers reserve the right to make changes and adjustments to the program requirements.
  • Announcement of the finalists not later than 25 January 2026

Program Requirements - Rising Stars Categories

  • Infant Group: 5 years old inclusive
  • Program duration up to 5 minutes – free program
  • Youth Group: 6-7 years old inclusive
  • Program duration of up to 8 minutes – free program
  • Group A: 8-9 years old inclusive
  • Program duration of up to 10 minutes. – free program
  • Group B: 10-12 years old inclusive
  • Program duration of up to 15 minutes – free program
  • Group C: 13-14 years old inclusive
  • Program duration of up to 25 minutes – free program
  • Group D: 15-17 years old inclusive
  • Program duration of up to 30 minutes – free program

C. Bechstein
— The Sound of Excellence

Jury

  • The jury’s responsibility is to evaluate the participants’ performance.
  • The jury will consist of leading teachers and professors.
  • The jury will be determined by the organizers.
  • The jury’s decisions will be a result of discussion and are open to internal voting.
  • The jury’s decisions are final and are not subject to review.