RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE ARSCLASSICA INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2026
1. ORGANIZATION
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The ArsClassica International Competition is organized by
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Associazione Ars Classica
CF 92087700602
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The competition takes place both online and live.
2. CONTESTANTS
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The ArsClassica International Competition is open to young musicians of all nationalities aged between 18 and 35. Eligible disciplines are: Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, Clarinet.
3. JURY
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The Jury of the ArsClassica International Competition is composed of ArsClassica’s founders, distinguished members of the association, and internationally renowned musicians and performing artists.
The Jury is chaired by the founders of ArsClassica and VideoClassica:
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Paolo Giacomini – Chairman of the Jury, Chairman of ArsClassica Association, classical music video director
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Malgorzata Maria Petryla – Deputy Chairman of the Jury, Deputy Chairman of ArsClassica Association, classical music producer
The other members of the Jury are chosen by the Chairman and will be announced at a later stage.
The Jury’s decisions are final and irrevocable. No objections concerning the Jury’s composition or decisions will be accepted.
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4. REPERTOIRE
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The repertoire requested for the first selection (online) of the competition is free*. The performances can be solo or with accompaniment.
In the subsequent stages of the competition, contestants should choose their program from the works listed below.
For each stage, the presented program must have a minimum duration of 10 minutes.
Second Stage - SEMIFINAL (online):
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Violin repertoire: J.S Bach, Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006**
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Viola repertoire: J.S. Bach, Six Suites for Viola Solo, BWV 1007-1012; J.S. Bach, Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Viola, BWV 1001-1006; Max Reger, 3 Suites for Solo Viola, Op.131d; J.S. Bach - Z. Kodály, Chromatic Fantasy, BWV 903, Viola Transcription**
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Cello repertoire: J.S. Bach, Six Suites for Cello Solo, BWV 1007-1012**
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Piano repertoire: J.S. Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846–893; English Suites, BWV 806–811; French Suites, BWV 812–817; Partitas for Keyboard, BWV 825–830**
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Clarinet repertoire: B. Kovács, Hommages for Clarinet Solo; C.P.E. Bach, Solfeggietto (H 220, Wq. 117:2)**
Third Stage - FINAL (online):
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Violin repertoire: N. Paganini, 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1; N. Paganini, "Nel cor più non mi sento", Op. 38; E. Ysaÿe, Six Sonatas for solo violin, Op. 27; N. Milstein, Paganiniana (Variations) for Violin solo; H.W. Ernst, Grand Caprice on Schubert's "Erlkönig", Op. 26; H.W. Ernst, The Last Rose of Summer, Étude No.6.**
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Viola repertoire: P. Hindemith, Viola Sonata, Op.25, No. 1; G. Ligeti, Sonata for Solo Viola; K. Penderecki, Cadenza for Solo Viola; E. Krenek, Sonata for Viola Solo, Op. 92, No. 3; N. Paganini, 24 Caprices, Op. 1, arr. for Viola; E. Ysaÿe, Six Sonatas, Op. 27, arr. for Viola**
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Cello repertoire: E. Ysaÿe, Sonata for Solo Cello, Op.28; E. Ysaÿe, Sonata No. 3 in D minor Arranged for Cello; G. Crumb, Sonata for Cello Solo; Z. Kodály, Sonata for Cello Solo, Op. 8; P. Hindemith, Sonata for Cello Solo, Op. 25, No. 3; K. Penderecki, Divertimento for Solo Cello**
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Piano repertoire: One or more works for piano solo from the 19th or 20th-century repertoire, chosen among the following composers: Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninov**
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Clarinet repertoire: J. Widmann, Fantasie for Solo Clarinet; K. Penderecki, Prelude for Clarinet in B-flat major; W. Osborne, Rhapsody; I. Stravinsky, Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet**
Fourth Stage - GRAND FINAL (live):
For the Grand Final, selected candidates will present a program with a total duration of 30–40 minutes, consisting of:
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One Sonata for violin/viola/cello/clarinet and piano/piano solo composed in the 19th or 20th century
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One virtuoso work, either solo or with piano accompaniment
All repertoire presented in the Grand Final must be performed from memory. The repertoire must also be approved by the Jury.​
The recordings submitted for the first, second and third stage should have the total duration between a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 minutes for each stage.
The repertoire for the recordings produced by ArsClassica as part of the prize of the Competition is chosen by the winners in agreement with ArsClassica.
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*Suggested repertoire for the First Stage includes at least one movement of a concerto or sonata, and/or a virtuoso solo or accompanied piece from the Romantic to Contemporary period, different from the repertoire presented for the Second and Third Stages.
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​**Within the indicated repertoire, each participant may choose the pieces that best represent their artistic and technical profile, provided the minimum duration requirements are respected.​
5. VIDEO RECORDINGS
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During the online stages of the competition (Stages 1, 2, and 3), candidates will be judged solely on the basis of submitted video recordings.
The submitted videos must meet the following requirements:
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Videos must be unedited.
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Editing is permitted only if the video comes from a live concert with audience, and exclusively in the First Stage.
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The submitted videos must be free from any copyright, restrictions or limitations for online use.
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For the Second and Third Stages, videos must be recorded in a single continuous take, without editing.
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Each piece may be recorded separately.
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Videos must have been recorded no more than 12 months prior to the submission date.
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Videos must be available for free, unlimited use and sharing on ArsClassica and VideoClassica channels.​
6. APPLICATION
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Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online Application Form.
By participating in ArsClassica International Competition and by accepting its rules, the applicants automatically:
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become ArsClassica's members for a period of one year
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disown the right for any material (financial) remuneration regarding eventual publication and distribution of their music and video recordings through Internet or other sources
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consent the use, publication and sharing of the submitted videos and pictures on ArsClassica and VideoClassica web and social channels
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consent the publication, streaming or broadcasting of the audio and video recordings or photographs produced by ArsClassica as part of the Prize of the Competition and the Gran Final Concert and assign the copyright of their performances to ArsClassica
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accept the Privacy Policy
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The application deadline for the ArsClassica Competition 2026 is December 31st, 2025.
7. REGISTRATION FEE
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The registration fee is 100€ per participant.
A reduced fee of 85€ applies for applications submitted by October 31st, 2025.
Payment can be made via PayPal (linked to the online Application Form) or by bank transfer to:
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Associazione Ars Classica
via Orticello 15, 03016 Guarcino (Italy)
IBAN: IT30P0760103200001055983397
BIC/Swift: BPPIITRRXXX
Description: Name Surname - Instrument - Senior Competition
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Applications without successful payment of the registration fee will not be considered valid. The registration fee is non-refundable.
By paying the fee, participants become members of ArsClassica Association for one year.
8. COMPETITION STAGES
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ArsClassica International Competition 2026 consists of the following stages:
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STAGE ONE - SELECTION (online): A maximum of 24 candidates will be chosen based on the video recordings submitted through the Application Form. The names of the selected candidates and their videos will be published on ArsClassica and VideoClassica channels by 15 January 2026.
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STAGE TWO - SEMIFINAL (online): The 24 selected candidates will be invited to submit a new video performance. From these, 12 semifinalists will be chosen. Results and videos will be published by 15 February 2026.
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STAGE THREE - FINAL (live): The 12 semifinalists will submit another video performance. The Jury will then select 3 to 5 finalists to perform in Rome for the Grand Final. Results and videos will be announced by 15 March 2026.
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STAGE FOUR - GRAND FINAL: 3 to 5 finalists will perform live in Rome, competing for the First, Second, Third, Audience, and Special Prizes. The Grand Final Concert will be recorded and published on ArsClassica and VideoClassica channels. The concert will take place in Autumn 2026.*
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WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT: Prizes will be awarded following the Grand Final Concert. Results will also be published on ArsClassica and VideoClassica channels.
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*ArsClassica will provide a piano accompanist for the Grand Final Concert. Candidates may alternatively bring their own accompanist.
Accommodation for finalists during the Grand Final will be provided by ArsClassica.
ArsClassica does not cover the travel expenses. ArsClassica does not cover the travel/accommodation expenses for the piano accompanist.
9. PRIZE
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The ArsClassica International Competition 2026 will award the following prizes:
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1° PRIZE: 1st Prize: High-quality professional audio and video recordings of a value of 30,000€. The winner will also become ArsClassica Artist and Honorary Member, with opportunities to take part in future ArsClassica projects. The winner may record a solo and/or chamber work. The recordings will be published and streamed on ArsClassica and VideoClassica channels.*
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2° PRIZE/ 3° PRIZE: The winners will become ArsClassica Artists and Honorary Members, with the possibility of being involved in ArsClassica projects.*
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AUDIENCE PRIZE: The winner will be invited to perform in an additional concert.*
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SPECIAL PRIZES: Offered by ArsClassica’s patrons and partners, including additional professional recordings and/or concert engagements.*
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SPECIAL MENTIONS: The Special Mention winners will become ArsClassica Artists and Honorary Members, with the opportunity to participate in other ArsClassica projects.
* Prizes reserved for Grand Final participants.
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. Semifinalists and finalists will be awarded a Diploma.
The winners consent to the publication and streaming of the audio and video recordings produced by ArsClassica, assigning the copyright of their performances to ArsClassica.
ArsClassica reserves the right not to assign one or more of the main prizes, or to postpone the Competition if the required artistic standards are not met.
Failure to participate in the Grand Final Concert, or in other prize-related concerts, will be considered as a forfeiture of the prize. If a finalist or prize winner cannot participate in ArsClassica events beyond one year from the conclusion of the Competition, ArsClassica will no longer be obliged to award the prize.​
10. COPYRIGHT
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By participating, contestants transfer free of charge and without time limits to Associazione Ars Classica the property rights of their artistic performances, whether recorded as part of the Competition prize and the Grand Final Concert, or submitted through the application form and during the various stages of the Competition. This includes:
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Recording
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Marketing
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Online streaming and sharing
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Wireless, cable, and satellite broadcasting and rebroadcasting
11. INSURANCE
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The ArsClassica Association is not responsible for any costs related to illness or accidents during the finalists’ stay in Rome. Participants should arrange their own insurance coverage, if needed.
12. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES AND CONDITIONS
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By applying to the ArsClassica International Competition, participants automatically accept all the conditions set forth in these Regulations.
ArsClassica reserves the unilateral right to make changes or updates to these rules, which will be published on the official website. Participation after such updates implies full acceptance of the revised regulations.