Competition rules 2025

The New York Franz Liszt International Piano Competition

Celebrating the Heritage of Franz Liszt and Nurturing Young Talents

We invite pianists of all ages to compete in a single category for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $25,000.

Application Opens: January 30, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (23:59 EST)
Application Fee: $200 (USD), non-refundable

Competition Format & Repertoire

The competition’s preliminary round will be held entirely online in 2025. Contestants must submit a 30-minute pre-recorded video, recorded from a single angle from the right side of the keyboard. The video can include multiple recordings for different pieces, but no edits should be made to the individual pieces themselves. We do not accept multi-camera recordings.

Repertoire Requirements: The solo round allows for a free program, but one piece must be by Franz Liszt.

Live Selection Rounds:

Applicants will select their preferred location for the live selection rounds from the following options:

New York City
Abu Dhabi/Budapest (TBC)
Singapore/Jakarta (TBC)
Shenzhen

Following the preliminary round, the jury will select 48 pianists in total (12 from each live selection round). Each live selection round will advance 3 pianists to the New York semi-final, which will take place on October 1, 2025.

Semi-Final & Final Round:

In both the live selection rounds and the New York semi-final, advancing competitors will perform a 30-minute solo repertoire. The four finalists will be selected to perform with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at the Grand Final on October 3, 2025, at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.

Concerto Repertoire for the Final:
Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major

Prizes & Opportunities

$25,000 Grand Prize

Webcast of the Grand Final

Additional prizes to finalists may include: Performance opportunities in the United States, Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore Scholarships to prestigious masterclasses and summer academies Opportunities to work with leading professors in the piano world.

Additional Information

Jury Selection & Event Modifications: The competition reserves the right to adjust the jury and make changes to the event format as needed, in response to changing regulations or unforeseen circumstances.

Event Postponement: We also reserve the right to postpone the event if necessary. 

Our mission is to celebrate the legacy of Franz Liszt while providing young pianists with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their talent on the world stage, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall. We look forward to receiving your application and wish all contestants the best of luck!