Cape Town International Piano Competition

Cape Town International Piano Competition Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Cape Town International Piano Competition, Festival, Cape Town.

Cape Piano, the Cape Town International Piano Competition, welcomes the world’s most gifted young pianists for a landmark event, set in one of the most iconic cities on earth.

02/06/2026

Win a recital at Bachfest Leipzig.

The Bach-Archiv Leipzig will award a special prize at the inaugural Cape Town International Piano Competition — a solo concert recital at Bachfest 2027, one of the world’s most prestigious classical music festivals, held in the city where Bach himself lived and worked.

To be eligible, competitors must include one of the following works in their first or semi-final round:

— Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue BWV 903
— Italian Concerto BWV 971
— Toccata in D major BWV 912
— Toccata in D minor BWV 913

A representative of the Bach-Archiv will be present in Cape Town to award the prize in person.

For pianists who wish to deepen their understanding of Bach’s works ahead of the competition, Bach Digital offers an extraordinary scholarly resource — manuscripts, sources and critical editions, freely accessible at bach-digital.de

Applications close 1 August 2026. Link in bio.

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25/05/2026

Continuing our conversation series with Peter Paul Kainrath, Artistic Director of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, a supporter of Cape Piano.

What sets an exceptional performer apart? Beyond technique, it is often a question of artistic depth, individuality and the ability to communicate something real. These are reflections that resonate strongly with the kind of competition Cape Piano is committed to building.

22/05/2026

Your screening video doesn’t need to be cinematic. It does need to be watchable.

From framing and visibility to sound and setup, a few practical details can make a real difference.

Help the jury focus on your playing — not your camera choices.

Applications are open.
Visit our website https://capepiano.com/competition/ for full details.

Cape Town does not end at the concert hall.A city framed by mountains and edged by two oceans, Cape Town’s natural world...
19/05/2026

Cape Town does not end at the concert hall.

A city framed by mountains and edged by two oceans, Cape Town’s natural world is as extraordinary as its cultural one. Cape chameleons move through the fynbos. Flamingos gather on the salt flats. And within easy reach of the city, world-class game reserves offer encounters with quagga, eland, elephant and giraffe.

For the winner of the inaugural Cape Town International Piano Competition, the prize extends beyond the stage. A curated bush safari package forms part of the first prize — a deliberate invitation to experience South Africa in full.

This is part of what makes Cape Piano unlike any other competition in the world. The setting is not incidental. It is integral.

Applications close 1 August 2026. Link in bio.

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Photography by Tiffany Schultz Nature Photography

15/05/2026

Michail Lifits joins the Cape Town International Piano Competition jury for 2027.

Winner of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, Michail Lifits has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, the Philharmonie Berlin and the Concertgebouw. Alongside his international performing and recording career, he is Professor of Piano at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.

We are honoured to welcome him to our inaugural edition in Cape Town.

08/05/2026

Part 2 of our conversation series with Peter Paul Kainrath, Artistic Director of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, a partner of Cape Piano.

How a jury is shaped says a great deal about the values behind a competition. In this reflection, Peter Paul Kainrath speaks to the importance of active voices in the piano world, and space for differing artistic perspectives.

This is a philosophy that has helped inform Cape Piano’s own thinking and approach in shaping our jury.

For the pianists considering applying, the question is not only what you win — but what follows.The Cape Town Internatio...
06/05/2026

For the pianists considering applying, the question is not only what you win — but what follows.

The Cape Town International Piano Competition’s commitment is to continue our conversation long after the competition’s final night, by offering:

– Performance opportunities on celebrated international stages
– Increased global visibility.
– Continued connections with audiences and communities locally and internationally.

And for the 30 selected pianists invited to Cape Town, participation is fully supported.

30 pianists.
4 rounds.
Cape Town.

Applications are open.

30/04/2026

Charlotte Hu joins the Cape Town International Piano Competition jury for 2027.

Praised for her virtuosity, magnetic stage presence and wide-ranging repertoire, the Taiwanese American pianist has performed at leading venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw and Taipei National Concert Hall. Alongside her international performing career, she is a dedicated educator and founder of major piano initiatives in both Taipei and Philadelphia.

We are honoured to welcome her to our inaugural edition in Cape Town.

For 30 selected pianists, an invitation to Cape Town comes with real support.The Cape Town International Piano Competiti...
28/04/2026

For 30 selected pianists, an invitation to Cape Town comes with real support.

The Cape Town International Piano Competition will cover flights and accommodation for all 30 participants invited to compete live in South Africa.

It is a deliberate commitment to access, removing a major financial barrier so that selection is shaped by artistic merit, not travel costs. If you are ready to bring your playing to Cape Town, we want to hear from you.

30 pianists.
4 rounds.
Cape Town.

Applications are open.

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Cape Town

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