Hastings International Piano launches 2023 Competition

The Hastings International Piano Competition has announced it will take place in February and March next year. Applications by video are now open, with the deadline for entries scheduled for 15 September 2023.

Video entries for the biennial competition will be assessed by a jury chaired by artistic director Vanessa Latarche, 45 pianists will be invited to play live in Hastings. With the launch of the competition’s new partnership with Southbank Sinfonia, this year’s competition will see competitors perform with the British Chamber orchestra in the semi-finals before being accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in the two-night finals.

Latarche said: ‘I am thrilled with the recent developments for the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Southbank Sinfonia’s involvement offers an exciting opportunity for our competitors to play with another professional orchestra in the semi-finals in addition to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the finals.’

Participants will compete for the competition’s first prize of £15,000 which also offers future performance opportunities with the RPO in the UK and US. Alongside the competition’s second (£7,000), third (£3,000), fourth (£1,500) and fifth (£850) prize up for grabs, finalists will also be offered two-years of professional development including mentoring, career and programming advice, performance opportunities and professional photography.

The 2023 competition will also see the premiere of a new commission by American composer Lera Auerbach. The five-minute piece will be a compulsory entry for the solo round. Latarche commented: ‘We are delighted that Lera Auerbach has agreed to compose a special test piece for the solo recital round, giving the competitors the chance to showcase their skill in contemporary repertoire. I am sure that this piece will have a long life well beyond the 2024 competition and we look forward to hearing our competitors’ interpretations of it.’