RULES & REGULATIONS 2024

Deadline: November 15th 2024

APPLICATION

The application fee is payable to the following account via bank transfer:
(please state CFIPC 2024 + Full Name of Candidate + Category)

Account Name: CFIPC
Bank: BNP Paribas Fortis
IBAN: BE28 0016 9098 3620
BIC: GEBABEBB
Address: Rue Montagne du Parc 3
             Brussels 1000
             BELGIUM

OR

via PayPal to office@cfipc.com - Please note that there is a 5€ surcharge for the transfer fee on top of the application fee should you wish to pay using PayPal.

PROGRAM

1. For both rounds of the competition, a free program can be chosen for Category A & B applicants however applicants from Categories C & D must include at least one movement from a “Viennese Classic” composer (Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven) in their Finals program.

2. It is not obligatory but recommended to include at least one piece written by a Belgian composer in the semi-final or the final round. A list of Belgian composers can be found here.

3. Memory interpretation is required for both rounds of the competition except for certain contemporary pieces after a personal request and approval by the competition.

4. It is NOT possible to change the semi-finals program after submission. For all selected finalists, it is possible to change your finals program until 30th November 2024.

5. Candidates may include in their Finals program previously recorded works from the 1st round.

6. A copy of your program (Urtext or original editions as preferred by the jury) must be scanned and sent by all finalists to office@cfipc.com for the jury before 1st December 2024.

SEMI-FINALS (ONLINE)

1. All video submissions should not be edited (audio). All edited videos will be automatically disqualified.

2. All recordings submitted by candidates must be made in 2024 and recorded in one take without cuts, also between pieces, like in a live competition (i.e. a single link).

3. All video submissions must be uploaded directly to an online service where the video (private or public) can be streamed online without downloading, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Dropbox or equivalent. Video files should not be sent with services such as WeTransfer or similar, which have an expiration date. DVD submissions will not be accepted.

4. It is the responsibility of the candidates to check if their link is online and viewable after submission until the announcement of the finalists.

5. It is the responsibility of the candidates to ensure the quality of their video in order for the jury to judge impartially. However, recordings may also be made on upright pianos and smartphones and will not be penalised for this.

6. A maximum of 5 finalists will be selected for the finals, however, the final and exact number of participants selected is subject to the discretion of the jury.

7. The results of the semi-finals will be announced on 20th of November 2024 via email and social media.

PRIZES

The following prizes will be awarded to the winners of each respective category:

• Category A: €100 for 1st prize; €50 for 2nd prize; 1 x masterclass with Philippe Raskin for 3rd prize

• Category B: €200 for 1st prize; €80 for 2nd prize; 1 x masterclass with Philippe Raskin for 3rd prize

• Category C: €300 for 1st prize; €120 for 2nd prize; 1 x masterclass with Philippe Raskin for 3rd prize

• Category D: €1000 for 1st prize; €400 for 2nd prize; 1 x masterclass with Philippe Raskin for 3rd prize

On top of those prizes, our Directing Committee and our Partner “BNP Paribas Fortis” will give the opportunity to the 4 First Prizewiners of each category to play with orchestra in April 2025.

The Artistic Director of the International Piano Talents Competition in Milano, Vincenzo Balzani, will offer together with their President Catia Iglesias one concert opportunity to a pianist among the winners of the competition and will be included in their concert season.

GENERAL RULES

1. The 12th César Franck International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities aged 21 or less at the time of the competition Finals 20th & 22nd December 2024 (opening concert on December 20th). The finals will take place live at De Lijsterbes (Lijsterbessenbomenlaan 6, 1950 Kraainem, Belgium).

2. Applicants must complete the César Franck International Piano Competition online application form and upload the following files no later than 15th November 2024:

• CV (in English, French, German or Dutch)

• a recent digital photo (in high resolution, max 2MB)

• a copy of the candidate’s passport

• a passport scan of the parent/supervising adult if

• the applicant is under 18 years of age

• proof of payment (scan of bank transfer details)

• The complete program for both rounds (semi-finals & finals) with timings

• The online video submission link for the semi-finals

3. Your candidacy will only be confirmed after we have received the application fee.

4. A maximum of 5 participants from each category will be selected to perform in the finals, however, the final and exact number of participants selected is subject to the discretion of the jury.

5. The decision of the jury is final and will not be subjected to reviews or appeals.

6. The results of the semi-finals will be announced on 20th November 2024 via email and social media. 

7. The application fee is not refundable and the candidates are responsible for any bank/PayPal transfer fees. 

8. The entry in the competition implies the acceptance of the present rules without any reservation.

9. The competition registration acts as an agreement for all candidates and their parents.

10. The organizers reserve the right to record all the performances during the competition, for use at their own discretion for radio and television broadcasts, or other purposes. Each candidate, upon submission of their application, will renounce all rights, fees and claims regarding such recordings, films and broadcasts.

11. All contestants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who will carry full responsibility over the minor at all times during the competition period. If the adult is not the contestant’s parents, a permission note (signed) must be submitted by at least one of the parents with the application.

12. All travel expenses, such as tickets and visas, are to be carried out by the participant. The participants are solely responsible to apply for their own visa, however an invitation letter will be available by the CFIPC upon request. Visa requirements are to be requested at the respective embassy or consulate.

13. Contestants are also responsible for their own accommodation costs. However, a special deal with a hotel partner of the competition will normally be offered to each accepted candidate.

14. The competition will not be held responsible/liable for the consequences of any accidents or incidents involving the contestants beyond the standard insurance of participants being visitors of the competition venue (Community Centre De Lijsterbes).

15. It is advised to check the personal insurance of contestants and the accompanying adult in order to guarantee coverage of accidents and incidents outside the competition venue.

16. The name of the candidate’s teacher/professor will not be printed in the program for the jury.

17. If a candidate is studying with a member of the jury, this particular jury member will not be allowed to vote for their student.

18. Rules may be subject to change without notice.