The results of the competitions are to be found on this page:  Laureates.

The inscriptions are open starting from the 15th of October. There will be an inscription button on the homepage of our website.

1. Organisation

The Cantabile Piano Competition for Young People is organised every two years. The competition consists of a selection round and a final.

The selection rounds will take place during the weekends of 16 and 17 January 2027 and 23 and 24 January 2027 in the Music Studio of DE SINGEL, Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp.

The final will take place on Saturday 20 February 2027 at 3.00 p.m. in the Blue Hall of DE SINGEL.

More information is available via www.cantabilewedstrijd.be.

2. General conditions of participation

On 1 January 2027, the participant may not have reached the age stated below:

• Category A: 12 years;

• Category B: 15 years;

• Category C: 18 years;

• Category D: 21 years.

Young people who take piano lessons at an officially recognised and subsidised music institution in Belgium are admitted to all categories of the competition.

Young people who take lessons exclusively at a private institution or who are enrolled at a conservatoire in a preparatory or bachelor’s programme are admitted exclusively to category D.

By registering, the participant declares that they agree to the full regulations of the Cantabile Piano Competition for Young People 2027.

3. Registration

Candidates who were declared laureate-finalists during the previous Cantabile Piano Competition for Young People may register again in the same category. The first-prize winners of the previous edition may not register again in the same category.

Registration is only valid upon receipt of:

• the fully completed registration form, including the participant’s contact details, a copy of the participant’s identity card and the competition programme, via the designated form on the website;

• the registration fee into account number BE58 4567 0778 5179 of Cantabile non-profit association.

The registration fee is:

• Category A: € 40;

• Category B: € 50;

• Category C: € 65;

• Category D: € 65.

Registration and payment must be completed by 1 December 2026 at the latest.

The registration fee is non-refundable.

The competition management reserves the right to refuse an application if the provisions of these regulations have not been complied with.

4. Course of the competition

The competition is held in public.

Candidates perform in alphabetical order. The competition management nevertheless reserves the right to deviate from this order.

No later than one month before the start of the selection rounds, participants will receive an invitation by e-mail containing practical information about their participation.

Participants should take into account that the time stated in the invitation may be brought forward by up to half an hour. They must therefore report at least one hour before their performance.

The teacher or accompanist may not be on stage during the performance.

The results of the selection rounds will be announced on the final day of the selection rounds. The results of the final will be announced on the day of the final. The results will be published on the Cantabile website no later than one week after the final.

5. Programme of the selection rounds

2027 is a Beethoven year. We therefore wish to place the repertoire of Ludwig van Beethoven at the centre of this edition. For this edition, Cantabile has chosen not to impose a new composition as a compulsory work, but to include Beethoven in the repertoire of the competition.

Category A – Maximum duration: 8 minutes

1. A work by A.M. Bach OR a little prelude by J.S. Bach.

2. An etude.

3. A work by Ludwig van Beethoven, chosen from:

• Ecossaises, WoO 83;

• a selection from the Bagatelles, Op. 33, Op. 119 or Op. 126;

• (a movement from) a sonatina.

Category B – Maximum duration: 12 minutes

1. A two- OR three-part invention by J.S. Bach.

2. A technical etude.

3. One movement from a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Category C – Maximum duration: 20 minutes

1. A three-part invention OR a prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach.

2. A virtuosic etude.

3. A work by Ludwig van Beethoven, chosen from:

• a first or final movement from a Beethoven sonata

• a set of variations of the candidate’s choice.

4. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

Category D – Maximum duration: 25 minutes

1. A virtuosic etude.

2. Two consecutive movements from a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven.

3. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

All works in all categories must be performed from memory.

The jury closely monitors the performance time. If the maximum performance time is exceeded, the jury may terminate the performance. Any such excess has no effect on the further assessment of the candidate.

6. Programme of the final

The repertoire of Ludwig van Beethoven is also at the centre of the final.

Category A – Maximum duration: 8 minutes

1. A work by Ludwig van Beethoven, chosen from:

• Ecossaises, WoO 83;

• a selection from the Bagatelles, Op. 33, Op. 119 or Op. 126;

• (a movement from) a sonatina.

2. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

Category B – Maximum duration: 12 minutes

1. One movement from a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven.

2. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

Category C – Maximum duration: 20 minutes

1. A work by Ludwig van Beethoven, chosen from:

• a first or final movement from a sonata

• a set of variations of the candidate’s choice.

2. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

Category D – Maximum duration: 30 minutes

1. A complete sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven.

2. A work of the candidate’s choice, with the exception of a work by Beethoven.

All works in all categories must be performed from memory.

The jury closely monitors the performance time. If the maximum performance time is exceeded, the jury may terminate the performance. Any such excess has no effect on the further assessment of the candidate.

7. The jury

Composition of the jury

The members of the jury are appointed by the board of directors of Cantabile non-profit association.

The jury consists of a chairperson and at least three jury members, selected from leading musicians.

The jury is assisted by a secretary.

The chairperson oversees the orderly conduct of the competition and does not participate in the allocation of points, except when this is necessary to resolve a potential conflict of interest. The secretary does not participate in the allocation of points.

Assessment and deliberation

The jury assesses the candidates independently.

The jury’s deliberations are confidential. The decisions and results of the jury are final and cannot be challenged.

A jury member does not participate in the assessment and deliberation concerning a candidate who is their pupil at the time of the competition or who has been their pupil during the preceding three years.

Ranking of participants

Candidates are qualified on the basis of their score out of 100 as follows:

• From 85: laureate of the Cantabile Piano Competition;

• From 80: great distinction;

• From 70: distinction;

• From 60: passed.

The twelve candidates with the highest scores will be declared laureate-finalists and will participate in the final of the competition.

8. Final provisions

The decisions of the jury are final and cannot be challenged.

No appeal is possible against the organisational conditions, the course or the results of the competition.

By participating in the competition, the participant declares that they accept the provisions of these regulations without reservation.

The competition management is not liable for physical or material damage arising from participation in or attendance at the competition, except insofar as otherwise provided by law.

In all cases not covered by these regulations, the competition management shall decide.

9. Prizes

For the laureates and laureate-finalists

• Recitals and concerts organised by Cantabile.

For the laureate-finalists

• Various additional special prizes.

The competition gives young pianists (and their teachers) not only a goal to work towards, but also the opportunity to perform in front of a wider audience. They meet one another through their shared passion for music, which in itself makes the competition an unforgettable and enriching experience.

Laureates and finalists also have the opportunity to perform on various stages throughout Flanders, both as soloists and in chamber music ensembles (see, for example, our annual overview).

And of course, at Cantabile too, taking part is more important than winning!

View here a list of the laureates of the Cantabile competitions.