CONDITIONS AND FAQ
• The International Anton Rubinstein Competition for Piano Junior 2026 is organised by the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein Düsseldorf.
• Young pianists up to the age of 16 from all nations can take part in this competition.
• There are two rounds: the first round and the one-day final, in which the jury selects the winners.
How does the first round work?
• The competition is divided into several age groups:
Group A: up to 11 years (10 minutes, max. 18 participants)
Group B: 12–16 years (15 minutes, max. 12 participants),
• Finalists must present a program with a maximum duration of 10 minutes in Group A and 15 minutes in Group B.
• The results will be announced by email on May 3rd, 2026.
• After the registration deadline, the names of the candidates participating in the first round will be published on our website on the date specified in the announcement.
• All candidates in the first round will receive a certificate of participation by email after the competition has ended.
• The jury will decide on the admission of a maximum of 30 applicants to the final after the first round on the date specified in the call for entries.
• The names of the finalists will be published on our website on the dates specified in the call for entries.
• The finalists will also be informed by email that they are in the final.
What happens if I am in the final?
• The final will take place on June 13rd, 2026 at the Beethoven Conservatorium in Venlo (Netherlands). The address is: Venloseweg 5, 5931 GR Tegelen, Nederland.
• The order of the competition will be drawn in advance and sent to all participants as a schedule.
• The rehearsals in the hall will take place on 13nd June 2026. The schedule will be announced in advance. Each participant will have a 10-minute rehearsal in the hall.
• Participants must present a program with a maximum duration of 10 minutes in Group A and 15 minutes in Group B. The repertoire for the final is freely selectable and can be repeated from the first round.
• The final round will take place from 10 am to 7 pm, with a break from 1 pm to 2 pm.
• The final round is open to the public.
• If the performance exceeds 10 or 15 minutes, the jury reserves the right to interrupt the performance.
• The results of the competition will be announced at 8 pm with the awarding of certificates and prizes.
• All participants must be present when the results are announced.
What happens if I am not in the final?
• All candidates in the first round will receive a certificate of participation by email.
What are the prizes?
• The results of the final round will be published on our website and on our social media channels.
• All winners will receive a certificate documenting the competition prize.
• All other finalists will receive a certificate stating that they took part in the final round.
• In 2026, the following prizes will be awarded in the competition:
Group A
1st Prize – €500, sponsored by the International Anton Rubinstein Music Academy
2nd Prize – €300, sponsored by the Blatow Foundation
3rd Prize – €200, sponsored by the Friends and Supporters Association (Förderverein)
Group B
1st Prize – €500, sponsored by the International Anton Rubinstein Music Academy
2nd Prize – €300, sponsored by the Blatow Foundation
3rd Prize – €200, sponsored by the Friends and Supporters Association (Förderverein)
• All participants of the International Anton Rubinstein Competition for Piano Junior 2026 have the opportunity to take part in the masterclass with Prof Ilja Scheps and with Gabriele Leporatti. The masterclasses will take place on Sunday, 14 June 2026, directly after the competition. The participation fee is €150 for each category. We kindly ask you to register in advance by 05 May 2026 at https://musicaera.com/.
How can I register for the competition?
• Deadline: 24th April, 2026
• To register, candidates need the following documents:
– Biography (in Word only)
– Photo
– Video links (YouTube only)
– Proof of payment of the participation fee (PayPal or bank transfer only).
The participation fee is 120 € (Early Booking 100 € until the 24th March 2026). The participation fee is to be paid exclusively via PayPal (here) or the following bank account:
Freunde und Förderer der Anton Rubinstein Akademie
IBAN: DE56 3022 0190 0364 0117 17
SWIFT/BIC: HYVEDEMM414.
• When making payment, it is essential to state the full name of the participant(s) and the desired competition.
• The participation fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.
How should I make the recording?
• The programme can be chosen freely, with a duration of approximately 15 minutes.
• Candidates can submit one or more YouTube video links.
• The YouTube video links should be provided directly when registering, but may still be submitted by e-mail until the registration deadline for the respective competition.
• No new videos will be accepted after the registration deadline.
• The videos will be used for judging the first round. Finalists may either perform a new programme or the programme from the first round live.
What are the legal conditions?
• By registering, participants allow the organiser to freely dispose of the photo, audio and video recordings submitted for the competition for the purpose of documentation and public relations on its website and social media channels.
• The judgement of the jury is final.
• All registration deadlines and dates can be found in the announcement of the respective competition on our website.
• By registering, candidates confirm their agreement with the terms and conditions of the competition.