5th World Piano E-Competition 2024
"Napolinova"
Open to young pianists of any nationality
One round through video link and free program
The “Napolinova World Piano E-Competition” 2024 is created with the goal of providing young pianists with an opportunity to show their creativity. The Piano E-Competition was born in the 2020, during pandemic period, that has forced all of us to stay at home, and to cancel our concerts, festivals, and live competitions. Young artists have continued to work hard, and we want to give them a chance to present themselves and their progress. This Competition is organized by “Napolinova”, a musical association that has, for more than twenty years, has promoted young artists through the creation of musical events. The jury members reside on different continents, but each one of them in known worldwide. We will avail ourselves of their great experience and expertise and ensure that the whole process is fair and transparent. Winners will receive wide exposure through broadcasts, social media, and even live concerts, to help their artistic career. Three scholarships and concerts will be awarded at winners. Ex-aequo are allowed. In case of ex-aequo, the prizes will be divided. The scholarships awarded will be equal to 60% of the registration fees paid for this Competition. At the conclusion of the competition, participants who do not win prizes can choose whether to make their videos public or keep them unlisted. The winners must immediately go on YouTube or YouKu and make sure their videos’ settings are switched to “public”. Those videos will be posted on the “Napolinova” Association’s Facebook Page and in social the jury members.
RULES
- 1) “Napolinova World Piano E-Competition 2024" is open to young musicians from all nationality. Applicants must submit links to video files uploaded on YouTube as “unlisted” (Chinese applicants can upload on YouKu, if they prefer).
- 2) Videos must be recorded after January 1st, 2024, using only one fixed camera. Videos can be recorded with cell phones, if a camera is not available.
Videos must be recorded without cuts and editing. The repertoire is all free choice, but time limits must be respected. There are four age categories. Younger pianists may choose to apply to a higher category.
- 3) Application deadline is November 20th, 2024. The application fee will be returned, minus possible bank fees, only in case the competition is cancelled. Those admitted will receive a confirmation e-mail.
- 4) The program is free choice.
- 5) Contestants must apply to ONE category only.
- 6) The scholarship and special prizes money will be sent via bank wire transfer— minus bank fees, if any— to the account indicated by each prize winner, immediately after the results are announced.
- 7) Each jury member will receive from Napolinova links to videos, each numbered and without names, and a form on which to express a vote on a scale of 1/100.
- 8) Final results will come from arithmetic average of the scores.
- 9) Votes received by the winners for each category will be published on Napolinova’s website and Facebook page at the conclusion of the competition.
- 10) Each jury member will be asked to declare whether they have (or had in the past two years) a continuous relationship as teacher/student with any of the contestants. This jury member will not vote for this competitor. The others jury members will not know these names.
- 11) The jury will end their work within December 15th, 2024. Results will be made public on or before December 20th, 2024. At that time, contestants who don’t win a prize can choose to make their videos public, instead of unlisted. Prize winners must make their videos public. Ex-aequo are allowed.
- 12) The winners and their teachers will receive the award certificate. All the participants who don’t receive prizes will receive a certificate of participation.
- 13) To participate, send the following items to competition@associazionenapolinova.it:
- Application Form
- Video Link (see above for details)
- Copy of valid ID (if minor, include ID of parent or legal guardian)
- Photography
- Short curriculum
- Wire transfer receipt ofr the application fee of your category
- Application fee must be payed:
- With Paypal, as a donation, increasing every application fee by euros 5
to cover the PayPal fees
Or
via bank wire transfer to:
Associazione Culturale Napolinova
IBAN: IT97M0335901600100000001709 - BIC BCITITMM
Agenzia 5500, Piazza Paolo Ferrari 10 - 20121 Milano (Mi) Italia
The above bank coordinates are complete.
The above bank codes already contain information on the specific bank and branch.
- 14) These Rules and Regulations were prepared in Italian and English. Should there be any doubts regarding their interpretation, the Italian version shall prevail.
Categories
A) pianists born from 01/01/2014 and younger. Video duration max 5 minutes
B) pianists born from 01/01/2010 and younger. Video duration max 8 minutes
C) pianists born from 01/01/2006 and younger. Video duration max 12 minutes
D) pianists no age limit. Video duration max 15 minutes
Contestants may choose to apply to any one category, so long as they are not older than the age limit.
Jury
- Leonid Margarius (Accademia “Incontri col Maestro” - Imola, Italy) – EUROPA
- Gila Goldstein (Longy School of Music, Boston) - AMERICA
- Eleanor Wong (Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong) – ASIA
PRIZES
- FIRST PRIZE
Winners the First prize in every category receive:
- Scholarships money
- Certificate to the winner and the teacher
- Publication of the video on the YouTube channel on the Facebook page of the Association.
- Will be invited to perform a concert online from a location of their choice for the fourth edition of the “Napolinova World E-Festival”
- Winners the category D will be invited to perform a live recital in Napoli (no fee). The performance will tak place at a prestigious venue, to be chosen among the most important historical and artistic sites of Napoli (i.e. Castel Nuovo, Sala Vasari, National Archaeological Museum). The recital will be advertised to guarantee maximum exposure. If invitation is accepted, performers agree to receive no fee.
- SECOND PRIZE
Winners the Second prize in every category receive:
- Scholarships money
- Certificate to the winner and the teacher
- Publication of the video on the YouTube channel on the Facebook page of the Association.
- Will be invited to perform a concert online from a location of their choice for the fourth edition of the “Napolinova World E-Festival”
- THIRD PRIZE
Winners the Third prize in every category receive:- Scholarships money
- Certificate to the winner and the teacher
- Publication of the video on the YouTube channel on the Facebook page of the Association.
- Will be invited to perform a concert online from a location of their choice for the fourth edition of the “Napolinova World E-Festival”
- FOURTH PRIZE
Winners the Fourth prize in every category receive:- Certificate to the winner and the teacher
- Publication of the video on the YouTube channel on the Facebook page of the Association.
- Will be invited to perform a concert online from a location of their choice for the fourth edition of the “Napolinova World E-Festival”
- FIFTH PRIZE
Winners the Fifth prize in every category receive:- Certificate to the winner and the teacher
- Publication of the video on the YouTube channel on the Facebook page of the Association.
- Will be invited to perform a concert online from a location of their choice for the fourth edition of the “Napolinova World E-Festival”
- Ex-aequo are allowed. In case of ex-aequo, the scholarship will be divided. The three scholarships the each category will be equal to 50%, 30%, 20% of the total scholarships that category.
The winners the online concert will be awarded the chance to perform a live-streamed concert from a location of their choice. Duration will depend on their age, prize, and repertoire. Prize winners may decide to record a performance instead of streaming it live. Either the live or the recorded performance will be published on the "Napolinova" Facebook page, and on the Facebook, WeChat, YouTube, or Youku platforms of the jury members.
Application Fees
Cat. A: € 40 - Cat. B: € 60 - Cat. C: € 80 - Cat. D: €100Applications must be received in full. Any bank fees must be paid by the sender,
or the application will be deemed not valid.
JURY
(in alphabetical order)
LEONID MARGARIUS - (EUROPE)
Born in the Ukraine, there he received a specialized musical education, developing his talent under the guidance of Regina Horowitz in the town of Kharkov.
He then went on to conclude his studies in the School for High Musical Specialization at the Conservatory of Moscow.
After intensive concert activity, he proved himself to be both an extraordinary teacher and mentor to numerous young artists as well as the winners of some of the most prestigious interational piano competitions: First Prizes at the “Reine Elizabeth” (Queen Elizabeth) Competition in Brussels (1999), the Busoni of Bolzano in Italy (1992 and 2001), the Montreal Competition in Canada (1996), the Paloma O’Shea in Santander, Spain (2005),the Maria Canals(Barcelona 2010,2014), the Maj Lind in Helsinki, Finland (2002), the Concertino of Prague in the Czech Republic (1991), the Minnesota International e-Piano Competition(USA,2009), the Pinerolo Competition in Italy(1998),the "Viotti" in Vercelli(2005), the “Città di Cantù” (City of Cantù) (1998,2001,2005 2006),the“Premio Venezia”(Venezia 2007,2008,2012),the Chopin Competition ( Roma 2009) in Italy among others; Second Prizes at Busoni, Italy (2003), Rubenstein in Tel Aviv (1996), the London Competition in the United Kingdom (2002,2009), and the Long-Thibaud in Paris, France (2004),the Maj Lind in Finland (2012) among others. His apprentices have also distinguished themselves at the aforementioned Tchiaikovsky Competition in Moscow,Reine Elizabeth Competition(2003,2007,2010), the Chopin Competition in Warsaw (Poland), and the Leeds Competition (United Kingdom 1989,2009), as well as competitions in Hamamatsu (Japan) and Sydney (Australia), the Unisa Competition in Pretoria (South Africa), the Schumann Competition in Zwickau (Germany),the Epinal Piano Competition,the Cantu Piano competition,the Busoni Piano competition; the Bach Competitions in Leipzig and Saarbrucken (Germany), the Lysenko Competitions in Kiev and Lvov (Ukraine) as well as many others.
For his outstanding personal contribution given to national cultural development as well as his role in the preparation of the country’s musical elite, the President of the Republic of Ukraine awarded Maestro Margarius with the title of “Leading Personality in the World of Culture” in 1993.
Since 1995, Leonid Margarius has been a professor at the “Incontri col Maestro” International Piano Academy in Imola, Italy. He is often called to take part in judging some of the most important piano competitions and he holds Master Classes in various countries throughout the world.
GILA GOLDSTEIN - (AMERICA)
Pianist Gila Goldstein is known as a versatile musician and has captivated audiences around the world with her unique artistry and soulful interpretations. Ms. Goldstein has performed as a solo artist and collaborative pianist throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Korea, the Philippines, Europe, and Israel. Her most notable performances included the Berliner Symphoniker, Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Orquesta Da Camera in Mexico City as well as recitals and concerts at Lincoln Center and Merkin Hall in New York City, Progetto Martha Argerich in Lugano, Beijing Concert Hall in China, Seoul National University in Korea, South Bank Center in London, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Musée de Louvre and Cité des Arts in Paris, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Old First Church in San Francisco, Gardner Museum and Tsai Performing Center in Boston, Dame Myra Hess concert series, Ravinia’s “Rising Stars” Series and Symphony Hall in Chicago, ”Great Performances“ series in St. Louis, Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv Museum, among others.
A Board member of the American Liszt Society (ALS) and the Founder-President of its New York Chapter, she has been a frequent guest performer at the ALS annual festivals around the United States and Canada. She also performed at festivals such as High Peaks, Amalfi Coast, La Jolla, Yellow Barn, Sonus, Summit, Colburn, OpusFest, Jewish Music Festivals in Atlanta, Pittsburgh and London and the Israel Festival.
Gila Goldstein has been a sought-after pedagogue and has given numerous master classes in the USA, China, Korea, and Israel. She is a member of the piano faculty at Longy School of Music in Boston and a guest professor of piano at Changzhou University in China. A champion of the music of Israel's leading composer Paul Ben-Haim, Ms. Goldstein has recorded two volumes of his entire piano and chamber works on the Centaur label. In Summer 2024, Centaur also released her recording “Latin American Piano Gems”. She obtained her music degrees in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Prof. Nina Svetlanova and the Tel-Aviv University's School of Music, where her teacher was Prof. Victor Derevianko. Both her teachers were disciples of the legendary pianist and pedagogue Heinrich Neuhaus. Please visit her web site, www.gilagoldstein.com & http://www.facebook.com/gilagoldsteinpianist
ELEANOR WONG - (ASIA)
Professor Eleanor Wong began her musical studies in Hong Kong with Betty Drown and later as an Associated Board Scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, London with Frederic Jackson and Max Pirani. Besides winning numerous prizes and awards, Eleanor was one the few students graduated with both the Graduate Diploma (G.R.S.M), and the Recital Diploma as well as top honours: the Walter Macfarren Gold medal and Majorie Whyte Memorial Award for the most outstanding students. After winning the coveted Boise Scholarship, Eleanor studied in Paris with Vlado Perlemuter and later in New York with Artur Balsam.
Winner of silver medal at the Viotti International Competition Italy, Professor Wong broadcasted on RTHK (Hong Kong), WNYC (New York), BBC (UK), and overseas services. As a soloist she has given recitals extensively in the United Kingdom (including the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room in London) in Hong Kong and the United States, as a Piano Duo with her sister they have performed together in Hong Kong, in cities of China and in the States.
Professor Wong is recognised as one of the foremost piano pedagogues with many of her pupils winning top prizes in international piano competitions including the Chopin International Piano Competition, the Van Cliburn, the Leeds, Gina Bachauer and the Casa. Being one of the most sought-after teachers, Professor Wong frequently hosted lectures and workshops on Piano Pedagogy and has given master-classes in China, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Uruguay, South Africa, England and USA. She is also a frequent member of jury in various international piano competitions and festivals.
Presently, Eleanor Wong is Professor of Music(Keyboard)at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She is also a visiting professor at the Shenzhen School of Arts and Wuhan Music Conservatory, and an honorary professor of the Tianjin Music Conservatory. She is a Steinway Artist, Co-Director of the Hong Kong Summer Music, Professor Wong is the Chairperson of the Piano Teachers’ Association in Hong Kong and Artistic Advisor of The Dalcroze Society of Hong Kong. She has served as Advisors for the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC), Trinity Guildhall music exam (Hong Kong).
In 2008, Professor Wong was elected one of 2007 Outstanding Leaders by Singtao Daily in Hong Kong for her contributions to the musical world. In 2013 Professor Wong was awarded the Hong Kong Women of Excellence in the Six Arts for her work in field of Music by the Hong Kong Federation of Women. In 2014, Professor Wong received the Medal of Honour from the Hong Kong SAR Government, recognising her dedication and contribution to piano education and grooming of local young pianists. In 2018, Professor Wong was honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award in music education by the 5th Hong Kong International Music Festival.