Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth in Egypt 2025

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Cairo and the European Foundation for Education and Culture Zielona Góra cordially invite young pianists to the “Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth in Egypt 2025” (further mentioned as the Competition).

The Competition is held in Cairo from May 9th to 12th 2025.

Repertoire category A (3 pieces) 

1 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Polonaises: G minor op. posth., B-flat major op. posth., A-flat major op. posth.,
• Waltzes: E major op. posth., E minor op. posth., A-flat major op. posth.,
• Contredanse g flat major, 3 Ecossaises op. 72
• one Mazurka of the candiate's choice.

2 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Nocturnes: C-sharp minor op. posth. (Lento con gran espressione), C minor op. posth., E minor op. 72 No. 1, E-flat major op. 9 No. 2,    
• Cantabile B-flat major,
• Preludes op. 28 No. 4, No. 6.

3 an allegro movement of a classical sonata by J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart,

• M. Clementi, A. Diabelli, F. Kuhlau or L.v. Beethoven

Repertoire category B (4 pieces) 

1 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Polonaises: C-sharp minor op. 26 No. 1, D minor op. 71 No. 1, B-flat major op. 71 No. 2, G-sharp minor op. posth., B-flat minor op. posth.,      
• Waltzes: A minor op. 34 No. 2, A-flat major op. 64 No. 1, C-sharp minor op. 64 No. 2, D-flat major op. 69 No. 1, B minor op. 69 No. 2, G-flat major op. 70 No. 1, F minor op. 70 No. 2

2 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Nocturnes: B-flat minor op. 9 No. 1, E-flat major op. 9 No. 2, F major op. 15 No. 1, F-sharp major op. 15 No. 2, B major op. 32 No. 1, A-flat major op. 32 No. 2, G minor op. 37 No. 1, F minor op. 55 No. 1, E minor op. 72 No. 1

3 one Chopin’s Mazurka of the candidate's choice

4 an allegro movement of a classical sonata by J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, M. Clementi or L.v. Beethoven

Repertoire category C (4 pieces) 

1 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• one Etude from op. 10 or op. 25 (except 10/3, 10/6, 25/7)

2 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Ballade op.23, Ballade op.38, Ballade op.47, Ballade op.52
• Scherzo op.20, Scherzo op.31, Scherzo op.39,Scherzo op.54
• Fantaisie op. 49,
• Barcarolle op. 60,
• Polonaises (except Polonaises of category A or B)

3 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Waltzes op. 18, op. 34, op. 42, op. 64,
• or two Chopin’s Mazurkas of the candidate's choice

4 an allegro movement of a classical sonata by J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, M. Clementi or L. v. Beethoven

Repertoire category D (4 pieces) 

1 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces

            one Etude from op. 10 or op. 25 except from:

• E-major op.10 No.3 ,3-flat minor op.10 No.6,
• f-minor op.25 No.2, c-sharp minor op.25 No.7,
• f- minor No.1, Méthode des méthodes,
• D-flat major No.2, Méthode des méthodes.
• A-flat major, Methode des méthodes

2 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Ballade op.23, Ballade op.38, Ballade op.47, Ballade op.52,
• Scherzo op.20, Scherzo op.31, Scherzo op.39, Scherzo op.54,
• Polonaise op.26 No.1, Polonaise op.26 No.2,
• Polonaise op.71 No.1, Polonaise op.71 No.2,
• Impromptu op.36, Impromptu op.51, Fantaisie-Impromptu op.66,
• Rondo op.1, Rondo op.16, Rondo à la Mazur op.5,
• Variations op.12, Variations on a theme"La ci darem lam mano" op.2,
• Bolero op.19, Andante spinato and Great Polonaise op.22

3 Fryderyk Chopin: one of the following pieces:

• Valse op.18, Valse op.34 No.1, Valse op.34 No.2, Valse op.34 No.3,
• Valse op.42, Valse op.64 No.1, Valse op.64 No.2
• or two Chopin's Mazurkas of the candidat's choice

4 an allegro movement of a classical sonata by J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, M. Clementi or L.v. Beethoven

Performance time

Category A: at least 12 minutes

Category B: at least 15 minutes

Category C: at least  20 minutes

Category D: at least 20 minutes

Registration

Interested candidates can register online by filling out the registration form available through the link https://www.chopin-competition-in-cairo.org/registration/ to April 11th, 2025.

The registration documents shall include:

• fully completed online form,
• current passport photo (portrait in good quality),
• scan of the identity card or passport,
• copy of the birth certificate.

Awards

• First, second and third prices can be awarded in each category. However, the jury is not obliged to award all prizes.
• Special prize for 
  • the best interpretation of a Chopin piece
  • the best interpretation of a classical piece
  • youngest participant
  • best pianist
• The 1st prize winner of the categories will have the opportunity to play a solo concert with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
• The second and third prize laureates will receive valuable prices.
• All participants receive a master class by Prof. Mariola Cieniawa-Puchala.

Locations

The competition will take place at the premises of the “German Music School Cairo” of the Rahn Education.

The awards ceremony and the laureates’ concert will take place at the Cairo Opera House - Small Hall.

In cooperation with