CHOPIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION 2026

CATEGORIES & REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Application Form

All works below refer solely to the works of Frederick Chopin. No other composers' works will be accepted.
Repeats are not to be played.  All works must be performed from memory. There will only be ONE judging round.  

SOLO CATEGORIES — REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES

SOLO JUNIOR

  • Age groups: Group A (9–10), Group B (11–12)

  • Programme: Two different works by Chopin, one must be a waltz

  • Maximum total time: 8 minutes

SOLO INTERMEDIATE

  • Age groups: Group A (12–13), Group B (14–15)

  • Programme: Two different works by Chopin, one must be a mazurka

  • Maximum total time: 9 minutes

SOLO ADVANCED

  • Age groups: Group A (15–16), Group B (17–18)

  • Programme: One Etude and one or more free-choice works

  • Maximum total time: 12 minutes

SOLO SENIOR

  • Age range: 18–21

  • Programme: One Etude, one Nocturne, and any free-choice works

  • Maximum total time: 15 minutes

SOLO ARTIST

  • Age range: 21–30

  • Programme: One Etude, plus either one Ballade or one Scherzo or one Polonaise, and any free-choice works

  • Maximum total time: 20 minutes

SOLO PROFESSIONAL

  • No age limit

  • Programme:

    • One Etude

    • One Nocturne

    • One fast movement from a Sonata (all three within a maximum of 20 minutes)

    • One fast movement from a Concerto (maximum 15 minutes) — performance with second piano part

Mazurkas
Op. 17
Op. 24
Op. 30
Op. 33
OP. 41
Op. 50
Op. 56
Op. 59

Nocturnes
B major, Op. 9 No. 3
C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 1
D flat major, Op. 27 No. 2
G major, Op. 37 No. 2
C minor, Op. 48 No. 1
F sharp minor, Op. 48 No. 2
E flat major, Op. 55 No. 2
B major, Op. 62 No. 1
E major, Op. 62 No. 2

Polonaises
Op. 26, No. 1
Op. 26, No. 2
F sharp minor, Op. 44
A flat major, Op. 53

Ballades, Scherzos and Sonatas 
Ballade in G minor, Op. 23
Ballade in F major, Op. 38
Ballade in A flat major, Op. 47
Ballade in F minor, Op. 52 


Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31
Scherzo in C sharp minor, Op. 39
Scherzo in E major, Op. 54
 
Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 35
Sonata in B minor, Op. 58

Etudes Op. 25:
No. 4 in A minor
No. 5 in E minor
No. 6 in G sharp minor
No. 10 in B minor
No. 11 in A minor
No. 12 in C minor

Etudes Op. 10:
No. 1 in C major,
No. 2 in A minor
No. 4 in C sharp minor,
No. 5 in G flat major,
No. 7 in C major
No. 8 in F major
No. 10 in A flat major
No. 11 in E flat major
No. 12 in C minor

Other works & ConcertosAndante Spianato and Polonaise in E flat major, Op. 22
Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60
Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57
Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49
Polonaise-Fantasy in A flat major, Op. 61
Preludes Op. 28

​Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

FAQs

Can a candidate participate if they are under 9 years old?

1

Yes. Candidates who are younger than the minimum age of a category may still participate. However, they will be judged according to the requirements and standards of the category they enter.

Can a candidate participate in a higher category?

2

Yes. Candidates may choose to compete in a higher category if they are able to meet the repertoire and performance requirements of that category. However, candidates may not compete in a category below their age group.

3

Is memorisation required?

Are repeats required?

4

Repeats are generally optional unless they are musically essential. However, competitors should ensure their performance fits within the time limit of the category.

Yes, provided the repertoire meets the requirements stated for the category.

Yes. Each competitor may participate in more than one category, but with completely different repertoire.

Can competitors perform their own choice of Chopin works?

5

Can competitors participate in more than one category?

6

Yes. All repertoire MUST be performed from memory.