2026 Mozart International Competition in Salzburg, Austria – Piano/Violin:

Competition Dates:

• Violin: February 6–12, 2026

• Piano: February 13–19, 2026

• Application Deadline: September 8, 2025

• Organizer: Mozarteum University Salzburg

Mozart International Competition Overview

As one of the world’s most prestigious musical competitions, the Mozart International Competition boasts over half a century of historical legacy. Since its establishment in 1975, the competition has remained dedicated to the performance of the genius composer Mozart’s works, aiming to revitalize his masterpieces through the brilliant interpretations of young musicians.

The competition's scheduling has evolved over time. Until 2014, it was held every three to four years. Since then, it has adopted a biennial format. Taking place in the uniquely artistic atmosphere of Salzburg, the competition has a celebratory character and traditionally includes categories such as voice, piano, violin, and string quartet.

With a generous total prize fund of €70,000, the competition not only recognizes artistic excellence but also inspires countless young musicians to strive for the highest standards.

For many musicians, participating in the Mozart International Competition marks a significant milestone and serves as a springboard toward an international artistic career. Past laureates who have gone on to achieve great success include Diana Damrau, Renée Fleming, Magdalena Kožená, Ginia Kühmeier, Esther Hoppe, Thomas Zehetmair, and the Novus String Quartet.

The competition features diverse disciplines—voice, piano, violin, horn, and string quartet—rotating annually, meaning each is typically featured once every three to four years. The “Horn” category was introduced for the first time in 2020, adding a new dimension to the event.

In recent years, Chinese contestants have excelled in the competition: He Ziyu won first prize, and Tang Yun took second place, showcasing the depth and talent of Chinese musicians in interpreting Mozart’s works.

Eligibility

Open to musicians of all nationalities born between 1994 and 2010.

Violin Competition

General Information

• Dates: February 6–12, 2026

• Final Concert with University Orchestra: February 12, 2026

• Jury Chair: Benjamin Schmid

• Participant Announcement: Late October / Early November 2025

• Application Fee: €100 (non-refundable)

Schedule

• Feb 6: Arrival, welcome event, and drawing of performance order

• Feb 7–8: First Round

• Feb 9–10: Second Round

• Feb 11: Rehearsal with University Orchestra (Finalists)

• Feb 12: Final Concert

Prizes

1. First Prize: €10,000

2. Second Prize: €7,000

3. Third Prize: €5,000

4. Audience Award: €1,000

5. Additional prizes: To be announced

Video Submission Guidelines

• Begin the video with a work by Mozart if possible

• Repeats may be omitted

• Embellishments in repeats allowed but not required

• Videos must be recorded after July 2024

• Full works may be recorded separately; no editing between movements

• Separate video files are allowed

Preliminary Round Repertoire

1. One Mozart Violin Concerto (first movement with cadenza):

   • D major, KV 218

   • A major, KV 219

2. One virtuoso work of choice (max 10 minutes)

Notes:

• Preliminary repertoire can be repeated in live rounds

• Urtext editions recommended, especially the New Mozart Edition

• All repertoire except the first round Mozart sonatas, second round sonatas by Beethoven/Janáček/Lutosławski, and the commissioned work must be performed from memory

Live Rounds

First Round

1. One of the following solo works by J.S. Bach (no repeats):

   • Partita in B minor, BWV 1002: Sarabande – Double + Tempo di Borea – Double

   • Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003: Grave + Fugue

   • Sonata in C major, BWV 1005: Adagio + Fugue

   • Partita in E major, BWV 1006: Preludio + Loure + Gavotte en Rondeau + Bourrée

2. One of the following Paganini Caprices (no repeats):

   • Op. 1 No. 1 (E major), No. 2 (B minor), No. 10 (G minor), No. 11 (C major),
     No. 15 (E minor), No. 17 (E-flat major), No. 23 (E-flat major)

3. One Mozart Violin Sonata (no repeats):

   • KV 305 (A major) – full

   • KV 454 (B-flat major) – 1st & 2nd movements

   • KV 379 (G major) – full

   • KV 526 (A major) – 1st & 2nd movements

Second Round

1. One of the following:

   • Beethoven: Sonata Op. 12 No. 1, Op. 12 No. 3, Op. 23, or Op. 30 No. 3

   • Janáček: Violin Sonata

   • Lutosławski: Partita for Violin and Piano

2. Commissioned Work (4–5 minutes, distributed Oct 25, no memorization required)

3. One of the following concertos (piano accompaniment):

   • Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (1st & 2nd movements)

   • Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 (1st & 2nd movements)

   • Dvořák: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 (1st & 2nd movements)

   • Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21 (Movements 1–3)

   • Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82 (complete)

   • Prokofiev: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 19 (complete)

   • Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor, Op. 37 (complete)

Final Round

With orchestra: one Mozart concerto (with repeats)

• KV 218 (D major)

• KV 219 (A major)

Piano Competition

General Information

• Dates: February 13–19, 2026

• Final Concert with University Orchestra: February 19, 2026

• Jury Chair: Pavel Gililov

• Participant Announcement: Late October / Early November 2025

• Application Fee: €100 (non-refundable)

Support

In collaboration with Bösendorfer and international partners

Instrument

All live rounds will be played on a Bösendorfer grand piano

Schedule

• Feb 13: Arrival, welcome event, drawing of performance order

• Feb 14–15: First Round

• Feb 16–17: Second Round

• Feb 18: Rehearsal with University Orchestra (Finalists)

• Feb 19: Final Concert

Prizes

1. First Prize: €10,000

2. Second Prize: €7,000

3. Third Prize: €5,000

4. Audience Award: €1,000

5. Additional prizes: To be announced

Video Submission Guidelines

• Begin with a Mozart work if possible

• Repeats may be omitted

• Ornamentation in repeats allowed but not required

• Videos must be recorded after July 2024

• No editing within a movement; separate works may be edited

• Any brand of piano allowed

Preliminary Round Repertoire

1. One Mozart Sonata (1st movement only):

   • KV 279 (C major), KV 280 (F major), KV 281 (B-flat major),
     KV 282 (E-flat major), KV 283 (G major)

2. One additional Mozart piano work:

   • KV 394 (Fantasia and Fugue in C major)

   • KV 475 (Fantasia in C minor)

   • KV 511 (Rondo in A minor)

   • KV 540 (Adagio in B minor) & KV 574 (Gigue in G major)

   • KV 397 (Fantasia in D minor) & KV 485 (Rondo in D major)

Live Rounds

First Round (max 30 min)

1. One of the sonatas from the preliminary round list (full performance)

2. Three dances from one of the following sets:

   • KV 103, KV 176, KV 315a, or KV 269b

3. One Mozart piano work (see options above)

Second Round (max 50 min)

1. One Sonata from the following:

   • KV 284, KV 309, KV 310, KV 311, KV 330, KV 331, KV 332,
     KV 333, KV 457, KV 533, KV 570, KV 576

2. One of the following variation sets:

   • KV 179, KV 265, KV 353, KV 354, KV 398, KV 455,
     KV 500, KV 573, KV 613

3. One or more works by Mendelssohn, Chopin, or Debussy

4. Commissioned Work (4–5 minutes, sent Oct 25; memorization not required)

Final Round

With orchestra: one Mozart piano concerto (with repeats)

• KV 271 (E-flat major, “Jeunehomme”)

• KV 595 (B-flat major)