Guide to Barcelona

Maria Canals piano

Lunes 15 de Marzo de 2010 09:30

Barcelona with children

The International Music Competition Maria Canals of Barcelona was founded in 1954 by the pianist Maria Canals and her husband, the writer Rossend Llates. This competition has achieved international prestige since it was accepted by the World Federation of International Music Competitions in 1958. Her Majesty the Queen Sofia of Spain is Honorary President. It is held at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and is endorsed by the World Federation of Music Competitions for piano, violin, singing, cello, chamber music, guitar, percussion and flute. Since 1954, the Competition has held over 110 branches, with over 7000 participants from 100 countries and 180 jury members from all over the world. More than 100 families from Barcelona graciously lend their pianos to contestants during the competition.

Last year, the organizers of the Maria Canals contest, determined that the contest be more than just one amongst many prestigious international music competitions, launched a campaign that left 20 pianos in different public streets so that those that wanted to, could touch and play the piano. In this way they were able to announce the beginning of the contest and also get closer to the general Barcelona public. This year, instead of leaving pianos all willy nilly around the city, they are hosting this big public piano marathon in the Plaza Reial and later, there will be various free piano contests by the contest contestants in various spaces in the city as well as placing a Grand piano in various places in Catalunya where the general public will be able to touch and play at their leisure until the 31st of March. If you are a music lover or even if you are not, keep an eye out for the nomad grand piano and especially look out for the concerts.

Rules:
When you want to be part of the competition, there are some rules.
1. The competition is open to young pianists of all nationalities.
2. Age limit, not younger than 18 and not older than 30.
3. Contestants who have participated in previous Maria Canals Competitions may compete again.
4. Registration of some documents.
5. There is a pre-selection.
6. Chosen contestants must pay a registration fee of 165 Euros.

Prizes:
When you join this competition you can win some prizes. In total there are six places. You will get an amount of money. When you are first this is higher than you are sixth. The fifth and the sixth place will get €1.000. The person who is fourth will get €1.500. The third, second and first will get €6.000, €10.000 and €20.000

The competition of 2012 already found place in March. Every year there is a new competition. At the moment there is no information about the next competition yet on the site.

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