Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, major changes have to be made regarding the realization of the 16th International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna.

After selecting 34 candidates out of 231 applicants from 40 nations in world-wide auditions at the beginning of 2020, the worldwide health crisis makes it simply not feasible to organize a major international live event such as the Beethoven competition for the foreseeable future.

Therefore, the International Beethoven Competition Vienna has decided to develop a new approach for the format of its 16th edition:

The first round will take place in April 2021 in an online format only.

We are in touch with all previously chosen candidates to prepare the necessary steps (recordings will be done without audiences, in one take, and with the same repertoire requirements). All recordings from our candidates will be made available in April 2021 on our website and other outlets, to be listened to by our esteemed online audience, as well as the international jury. At the end of April 2021, the 12 semi finalists will be announced.

These candidates will then be invited to perform live in Vienna in October 2021.

New dates for the Semi Finale and Final Round of the 16th edition:

October 18/19: Semi Finale in the Brahms-Saal of Musikverein Vienna
October 21: Final Round with orchestra in the Golden Hall of Musikverein Vienna

Stay tuned for more detailed information. In the meantime, stay healthy, stay safe – and let us plan to meet in Vienna for a special Beethoven celebration in October 2021!

Jan Jiracek von Arnim (Artistic Director)
and the team of the International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna