The Franz Liszt International Piano Competition will be held from September 12 to 20 in Pécs, Hungary. This edition, which was originally going to be held in Budapest, is open to pianists born after September 1, 1996.

Dating back to 1933, when the first Liszt Competition was held under the direction of Ernő Dohnányi and won by the legendary Annie Fischer, the event celebrates the enduring legacy of Franz Liszt.

The updated jury includes Olga Kern, János Balázs, Barry Douglas, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, and György Vashegyi.

The submission deadline is April 15, 2026. To apply, click here. The results will be announced on May 1, 2026.

The competition begins with an online preselection round, in which the jury will choose twelve competitors based on submitted video recordings.

Pianists must perform from memory and present one Liszt étude, selected from among the Études d’exécution transcendante, Grandes études de Paganini, or Zwei Konzertetüden – along with freely chosen original works or transcriptions.

The First Round (September 14–15, 2026) will feature twelve competitors performing a programme that also pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of composer György Kurtág through selected pieces from Játékok (Games). The Semi-Final (September 17, 2026) will challenge six pianists to perform Liszt’s grand transcriptions, paraphrases, and original masterworks such as the Hungarian Rhapsodies, Mephisto Waltz, or Années de pèlerinage.

Finally, three pianists will advance to the Grand Final (September 19, 2026), performing Liszt’s Sonata in B minor and one of his great concert works — either the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, or Totentanz. The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by György Vashegyi, will accompany the finalists in this culminating event.

All competition rounds will be streamed on The Violin Channel!

The Franz Liszt International Piano Competition offers a €35,000 First Prize, a €18,000 Second Prize, and a €9,000 Third Prize.

In addition, special prizes include concert engagements, professional recording opportunities, and performance invitations from leading cultural institutions.

"Each performance pays homage to Liszt’s genius — his boundless creativity, technical brilliance, and visionary spirit that continue to shape the world of piano music today."