Age Limit and Competition Categories

The competition is divided into three categories and is open to Czech and foreign pianists who:

• a) comply with the age limit of 16 years for the First category (born in 2009 and later)
  The competition of the First category consists of one round.
• b) comply with the age limit of 20 years for the Second category (born in 2005 and later)
  The competition of the Second category consists of two rounds.
• c) comply with the age limit of 30 years for the Third category (born in 1995 and later)
  The competition of the Third category consists of three rounds.
  In the Third category the Jury will select only four contestants to compete in the third round (the Finals).

Dates and Place of the Competition

The 35th SMETANA INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION will be held in Plzeň, Czech Republic, between 22 - 28 March 2025.

The competition will take place in the concert hall of the Conservatory of Plzen. The third round of the Third category will take place in the Great Hall of the City Ballroom.

Other Competition Regulations

• All works in all competition rounds must be performed from memory.
• The order of the works performed in individual rounds is the competitors´ free choice with the exception of the free chosen composition.
• The composition of a free choice of candidate must be played as the last one in every round of the Competition.
• The competition performances are open to members of the public.
• Any change in the competitors repertoir can be announced to the organizer of the Competition until 15 January 2025 in a written way or using an e-mail. It is not possible to change the repertoir after this date.
• In the event that any radio or TV broadcast or recodings of the competition performances be made, these are at the Organiser´s disposal and shall serve to promote the Competition. In the event of any commercial use of any recording, this will be the subject of further negotiations.

The Source of the Music for Studying Bedřich Smetana´s Compositions

Should any dispute arise, the following edition of Bedřich Smetana´s compositions shall be the determining factor: Bedřich Smetana: Klavirni skladby, 7 volumes, Editio Bärenreiter

The competition conditions have been issued in the Czech and English languages. Should any dispute arise, the Czech version shall be the legal text.