Competition Rules
The City Hall of Brindisi and the Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”announce the
2° “Nino Rota” International Piano Competition
Honorary President: Sergio Sernia, Governor Emeritus of district 2120 of Rotary International
Chairman of the organizing committee: Vittorio Piceci, President of Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”, R.Y. 2023-2024
Artistic director: Silvana Libardo, President of Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”, R.Y. 2019-2020
The Competition aims to encourage the encounter of young talents from different countries of the world, represents an extraordinary opportunity for artistic growth and is at the same time a significant opportunity for cultural promotion of the area.
Art. 1 – The Competition will take place on April 25th-26th-27th-28th, 2024 at the former Saint Chiara’s Convent in Brindisi (Italy) and it is open to young pianists of any nationality of 26 years old and younger.
JURY MEMBERS
Hubert Stuppner – President of the Jury, Italy
Michele Antonio Salvemini – Deputy President of the Jury, Italy
Robert Andres – International Jury Member, Croatia/Portugal
Pasquale Iannone – International Jury Member, Italy
Anna Ferrer – International Jury Member, Spain
Bartosz Zurakowski – International Jury Member, Poland
Silvana Libardo – Artistic Director and Jury Member, Italy
Francesca Salvemini, Flautist – Referent for the Orchestra
Valerio De Giorgi, Pianist – Master Piano Accompanist
SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES
Art. 2 – The Competition is divided into three Sections and eight Categories:
Section I – International Prize “Little Talents”
Category A for applicants born in the years 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016:
free programme of a maximum duration of 6 minutes.
Category B for applicants born in the years 2015 – 2014 – 2013:
free programme of a maximum duration of 10 minutes.
Category C for applicants born in the years 2012 – 2011 – 2010:
programme of a maximum duration of 15 minutes, including a work of J. S. Bach and at least two more works of different period and style.
Section II – International Prize for “Young Promises”
Category D for applicants born in the years 2009 – 2008 – 2007:
programme of a maximum duration of 20 minutes, including a brilliant Etude and at least two more works of different period and style.
Category E for applicants born in the years 2006 – 2005 – 2004:
programme of a maximum duration of 25 minutes, including the first movement of a Sonata of the Classic period and at least two more works of different period and style.
Category F for applicants born in the years 2003 – 2002 – 2001:
free programme of a maximum duration of 30 minutes, including works of different period and style and at least one work composed in XX century.
Category G for applicants born in the years 2000 – 1999 – 1998:
free programme of a maximum duration of 45 minutes, including works of different period and style and one of Beethoven’s Sonatas.
Section III – Concert for piano and orchestra “Mozart Prize”
Category H for applicants born in the years 2003 – 2002 – 2001 – 2000 – 1999 – 1998:
Elimination round: each contestant will present a Concert of Mozart, chosen between the n. 12 (K414) in A Major and the n. 13 (K415) in C Major. The Jury will select extemporaneously a movement from the chosen concert and the contestants will play it with the accompaniment of M° Valerio De Giorgi, who will play at the second piano the reduction of the orchestra part.
Final round: only two contestants chosen by the Jury will be admitted to the Final round and they will play the full Concert with the orchestra. In this category there will be only the First Prize winner.
The Chamber Orchestra “Nino Rota” will accompany the contestants during the Final Round of the contest and the winner during the Award Ceremony.
Art. 3 – It is important that the applicant will not go over the assigned time for each category.
Art. 4 – All the music works chosen by the contestants must be published and they must be performed in the original version. Modified and easier versions are not allowed. The contestants must play by heart.
Art. 5 – At the moment of the audition the contestants will provide their ID card and they will give to the Jury copy of the music scores that will be played.
JURY
Art. 6 – The Artistic Director will be in charge of selecting the Jury members for the contest. They will be piano teachers, music critics, soloists and well-established musicians. The music director or his/her deputy is also part of the Jury. The judges will score each candidate expressing their votes in hundredths. The average score will be calculated arithmetically and the highest and the lowest scores will be excluded. The President can round off the final score of the contestants. Although without voting rights, the President of the Competition Organizing Committee and the Secretary are entitled to participate in the Jury’s evaluation work.
Art. 7 – The Jury’s judgment is unquestionable and unappealable. The Jury reserves the right to require candidates to perform the entire program or only a part of it, to require additional performances from the candidate or to interrupt a single performance.
Art. 8 – The members of the Jury may allow their students to participate in the competition, with the obligation to abstein from voting during the evaluation phase.
PRIZES
Art. 9 – Absolute Winner of the Contest is the contestant with the highest score among all the categories, whose score is at least 99/100.
The contestant that will receive the highest score in his/her category and whose score will be of 98/100 or above, will be the Absolute Winner for his/her category.
The contestants that will receive a score of 95/100 or higher, will receive a Diploma Certificate of 1st Prize and a Celebrative Medal.
The contestants that will receive a score of 90/100 or higher, will receive a Diploma Certificate of 2nd Prize and a Celebrative Medal.
The contestants that will receive a score of 85/100 or higher, will receive a Diploma Certificate of 3rd Prize.
The contestants that will receive a score of 80/100 or higher, will receive a Diploma of Merit.
If the Absolute Winner Prize in one category is not assigned, in that category the scholarship will be automatically given to the 1st Prize winner with the highest score.
In each category (except in G category) the Jury can assign 1st, 2nd or 3rd ex aequo Prizes. For each category, the Jury reserves the right not to award the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Prizes.
Art. 10 – Absolute 1st Prizes
Absolute 1st Prizes are indivisible.
The Absolute Winners in each category will be awarded the following Prizes:
Category A: Scholarship of 400 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category B: Scholarship of 500 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category C: Scholarship of 700 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category D: Scholarship of 1.000 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category E: Scholarship of 1.300 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category F: Scholarship of 1.600 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category G: Scholarship of 1.900 euro and Diploma Certificate
Category H – “Mozart Prize”: Scholarship of 2.600 euro and Diploma Certificate
All non-awarded contestants will receive a Participation Diploma indicating the score obtained in the Competition.
Art. 11 – Special Awards
The Absolute Winner of the Competition will be given a Special Award offered by Rotary International District 2120.
The Absolute Winner of Category H – “Mozart Prize” will be offered a Special Award by the Honorary Chairman of the Competition, Sergio Sernia, Governor Emeritus of Rotary International District 2120.
A Special Award for the best performance of a Composition by J. S. Bach will be offered by the President of the Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”, Vittorio Piceci.
A Special Award for the best performance of a L. van Beethoven’s Sonata will be offered by the Mayor of the City of Brindisi, Pino Marchionna.
A Special Award is provided for the best performance of a Composition written by a 20th century composer, offered by Francesco Flores Jewelers of Brindisi.
The “Musica d’Arte” Association of Preganziol (Treviso) will offer the winner of Category G a piano recital to be held on May 17, 2024, at the Council Chamber of the City of Preganziol.
Art. 12 – The winners will perform at the Award Ceremony according to the schedule decided by the Artistic Director and the Jury. Failing to perform on this occasion will result in the withdrawal of the Prize. There will not be any payment for this performance. The contestants will not be able to claim any rights or compensation on the recordings of the rounds and of the Award Ceremony, whether they will be broadcasted, televised or recorded, as the materials will belong to the Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”.
The parents of the contestants can ask the Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio” to receive a picture or a video recording of their children’s performance and only a designated member of the Rotary Club will be in charge of taking photos or making video recordings.
Competitors will receive Diplomas of Merit and Participation and Diplomas of Second and Third Prize at the end of the auditions in each category, while the Absolute First Prizes and First Prizes will be awarded during the awards ceremony on April 21 at the “Nuovo Teatro Verdi” in Brindisi, located at Largo Gianni Errico, 1.
During the Award Ceremony, a Diploma of Honor will be awarded to the Teachers who presented the highest number of awarded competitors.
GENERAL COMPETITION RULES AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Art. 13 – All applicants must bring a valid ID card on the day of the audition.
Art. 14 – The Competition is public. Voting results will be announced at the end of the auditions in each category.
Art. 15 – Contestants will be heard by the Jury in alphabetical order starting with a letter that will be drawn on the first day of the Competition and will be valid for all categories.
Art. 16 – Entry fees:
Section I – International “Little Talents” Prize
Category A: entry fee of 65 euros.
Category B: entry fee of 75 euros.
Category C: entry fee of 85 euros.
Section II – International “Young Promises” Prize
Category D: entry fee of 105 euros.
Category E: entry fee of 120 euros.
Category F: entry fee of 135 euros.
Category G: entry fee of 150 euros.
Section III – “Mozart Prize”
Category H: entry fee of 165 euros.
If a candidate wishes to enter both a solo category and category H (“Mozart Prize”), he or she must pay an amount equal to the sum of the two respective entry fees. Candidates are allowed to register for a higher category than their age group (including category H).
The registration fee must be paid by bank transfer in the name of
Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”
Bank name: Banca Prossima di Brindisi (Intesa Sanpaolo Bank)
IBAN: IT18L0306909606100000076663
BIC: BCITITMX
Message on payee statement: Registration for the 2nd “Nino Rota” International Piano Competition, specifying category.
The entry fee is not refundable under any circumstances, except in the case of cancellation of the Competition by the Organising Direction.
Art. 17 – The contestant can download the application form from the website: https://www.concorsopianisticoninorota.com and the form, duly filled in, must be sent by email to the address: segreteria@concorsopianisticoninorota.com within April 15th 2024.
A Parent or a guardian has to fill the application form if the contestant is of 17 years old or younger.
The secretary of the contest will confirm by email when the application form will be received.
Art. 18 – Contestants are given the opportunity to rehearse on the competition piano during a specific assigned time. Additional pianos will be available for practicing during the Competition.
Art. 19 – According to the current legislation on “Protection of Personal Data” we inform that the data provided at the time of registration will be stored and used exclusively for the purpose of sending communications related to the Competition. The owner of the data has the right to know, update, delete, rectify the data or object to their use.
Art. 20 – Registration in the Competition implies unconditional acceptance of these regulations. In case of disputes, competent to decide is the Artistic Director representing the Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”, who is requested to interpret the regulations themselves. The organization assumes no responsibility for any damage to persons or property during the course of the Competition.
For additional information, please contact:
Silvana Libardo (Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 12.30) at (+39) 328 8440033
Cosimo De Giorgio (Monday to Friday from 13.00 to 15.00) at (+39) 348 0090040
For informations in english, please write an email to M. Antonio Salvemini:
The Artistic Director
Prof.ssa Silvana Libardo
Chairman of the organizing committee
Vittorio Piceci
President of Rotary Club of Brindisi “Valesio”, R.Y. 2023-2024