"The Aldo Ciccolini European Arts Academy, Italy, has announced the launch of a new online piano competition
The Ciccolini Prize Competition will be held at least once a year and is open to pianists of all ages and nationalities. The inaugural competition is accepting applications until 1 February 2021, and the two winners will be announced on 1 March. The winners will be offered a recording contract with Divine Art Records and the opportunity to record an album for Divine Art’s new Debut Series. The recording sessions will take place in the Palace of the Arts Beltrani in Trani, Italy, on a Steinway model D-274. Competition applicants must submit a video of 20-25 minutes in length of them performing repertoire of their own choice. The videos will be assessed by a jury including Pierluigi Camicia (president), Alfonso Soldano (artistic director), Tatjana Cratonjic, Giuseppe Greco and Dr Attilio Cantore. In addition to the two first prizes, the jury may decide to award a Special Prize to the most outstanding pianist of the competition. The recipient of the Special Prize will receive 200 free physical copies of their album and will be invited to perform a solo recital in Puglia in 2022. The idea for the Ciccolini Competition was devised by Alfonso Soldano, teacher at the Ciccolini Academy and Divine Art recording artist. Stephen Sutton, CEO of Divine Art, said: ‘It is a great privilege for us to be chosen as the Ciccolini Academy’s partner in this exciting new web-based competition. Though, of course, a concert hall performance in front of the jury is preferable, this format will allow more pianists to enter without the expense and difficulty of travel to a venue. Over the last couple of years, Divine Art has begun to develop a fine roster of young Italian pianists including Alfonso Soldano. We look forward very much to seeing how this competition develops.’
For more information, including entry details and rules, visit: accademiaciccolini.org"
International Piano Magazine