AAF-catalogue-2017

Many competitions …
From the graph on the opposite page, it can be seen that there was a strong increase of
competitions until the year 2002. It looks like an exponential growth. People spoke of an
explosion of competitions.
Peak
The peak was reached in 2002: in that year not less than 334 international piano
competitions (for solo pianists) took place*.
Interestingly, after 2002, the amount of competitions decreased. An explanation for this
could be a certain level of saturation and, more recently, also the effect of the economical
crisis. In 2008, there were still more than 300 international competitions pianists could
enter, but since 2009, the number of competitions has clearly somewhat diminished.
Since not all competitions are annual, the total number of existing international piano
competitions is much higher. Another count reveals that there are at the moment more
than 750 international piano competitions worldwide.
Even more prize winners
With some 300 competitions being held within a year, one might think that there are also
300 first prize winners every year. Actually, this number lies again higher. Although the
first prize is not always awarded, there are also quite a few competitions that employ
various age categories, especially in France and Italy. Each of these age groups can
produce several winners. (There even exists an international piano competition employing
26 categories each year!)
Ample choice
With so many competitions, the pianists have ample choice to enter the event which they
consider the most attractive or the best suited, in terms of dates, location and repertoire. In
2009, there was a pianist who even managed to take part in 16 international competitions
within that year. The total number of applications lies even higher.
It may pose certain problems for the organisers, when young pianists apply for several
competitions and then decide at the last moment where to show up.
Many AAF member competitions are scheduled for 2017. This catalogue offers much
information and can serve as a useful planning tool for aspiring musicians.
*: these numbers are based on the research Gustav Alink did all over the world, focusing on the
international competitions. There might still be other competitions that have been overlooked, in
which case the numbers would even be higher.
Alink - Argerich Foundation | 5