Rachmaninoff Piano Competition 2026
Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition in collaboration with The London City Philharmonic.
Competition Rules
The competition is open to candidates of any nationality, with no age limit.
Applicants must submit the following to info@rachmaninoffpianocompetition.co.uk:
• A CV
• A copy of their passport or ID
• Video link(s)
• Proof of payment
Please refer to the video application guidance below.
Application deadline: 25 February 2026.
Winners will be announced by 28 February 2026.
In the application, please specify in order of preference one or more concertos or pieces from the repertoire list that you wish to perform if selected as the winner. Repertoire choices may be changed after submission, provided any updates are made no later than 25 February 2026.
If, as the winner, you wish to perform a concerto or piece not included in the repertoire list, you may request approval by contacting info@rachmaninoffpianocompetition.co.uk.
Video Application Guidance
The total duration of the video submission(s) should be a minimum of 10 minutes and up to approximately 45 minutes.
Applicants may submit one single video or multiple videos.
Videos are recommended to show contrast, for example, fast and slow movements, or works from different musical styles and periods.
Only video links will be accepted (password-protected links are also permitted). Videos requiring download will not be accepted.
The repertoire in the video does not need to be the concerto/piece you wish to perform as the winner. Submission material may feature any repertoire, any composer, period, solo works, or pieces with accompaniment. You may choose from the three categories below, or submit a combination of them. For example, a programme consisting solely of solo piano works is acceptable; there is no requirement to provide videos with orchestra or piano accompaniment.
Acceptable video formats
(any of the three options)
Solo piano
e.g. sonatas, études, ballades, scherzos, fantasies, preludes, fugues, suites, etc.Piano with accompaniment
e.g. concertos, fantasies.Piano with orchestra
Prizes & Performance Opportunities
1st Prize
• £1000 (GBP)
• An invitation to perform as a soloist at a concert on 9 May 2026 at St James, Paddington, London, with the London City Philharmonic, with your choice of concerto/piece from the repertoire list below.
If the 1st Prize winner is unable to perform on 9 May 2026, the performance opportunity for that date will be offered to the 2nd Prize winner, while the 1st Prize winner will receive an alternative performance date in the 2026/2027 or 2027/2028 season.
Music agents will be invited to attend the concert, providing a valuable opportunity for emerging soloists to gain exposure and potentially secure representation.
2nd Prize
• £500 (GBP)
• Official diploma
3rd Prize
• £300 (GBP)
• Official diploma
Semi-finalists will also receive an official diploma.
Additionally, 2nd and 3rd Prize winners, as well as semi-finalists, may be invited to perform with the London City Philharmonic during the 2026/2027 or 2027/2028 seasons.
Jury
• International panel of qualified judges
• Members of the London City Philharmonic
• Olsi Qinami – Conductor, London City Philharmonic
The winner’s selected repertoire to be performed in concert with the London City Philharmonic.
L. V. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 15
L. V. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19
L. V. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37
L. V. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 58
L. V. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73
J. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 15
E. Grieg: Piano Concerto op. 16
G. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
G. Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
F. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1, S124
F. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2, S124
F. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 25
F. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 2 op. 40
W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467
W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major, K. 482
W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
W. A. Mozart: Piano concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491
W. A. Mozart: Piano concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 1 op.10
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 op.16
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 op.26
S. Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 4 op.53
C. Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 op. 22
C. Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5 op. 103
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 1 (1919 version)
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor op. 18
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor op. 30
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor op. 40 (1941 version)
S. Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op.43
M. Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major
D. Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 op.102
Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor op. 7
R. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor op. 54
P. I. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor op. 23
P. I. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major op. 44
How to apply
The competition is open to applicants of any nationality, with no age limit.
Applicants must submit the following to info@rachmaninoffpianocompetition.co.uk:
• A CV
• A copy of their passport or ID
• Video link(s)
• Proof of payment of £160 (GBP)
Please refer to the video application guidance above for full submission requirements.
Application deadline: 25 February 2026.
Winners will be announced on the website and contacted via email by 28 February 2026.
In the application form, please specify in order of preference one or more concertos/pieces from the repertoire list that you wish to perform if selected as the winner.
Repertoire selections may be changed after submission, provided any updates are made no later than 25 February 2026.
If you wish to perform a concerto or piece not included in the repertoire list, you may request approval via email at
info@rachmaninoffpianocompetition.co.uk
Payment Details
Account Name: London City Philharmonic
Sort Code: 40-38-18
Account Number: 52070669
IBAN: GB08HBUK40381852070669
SWIFT/BIC: HBUKGB4112V
Bank Address:
HSBC Bank
281 Chiswick High Road
London, UK
Postcode: W4 4HJ
Payment Details
Account name: London City Philharmonic
Sort Code: 40-38-18
Account number: 52070669
(IBAN) International Bank Account Number: GB08HBUK40381852070669
(SWIFT Code) (BIC11) Bank Identifier Code: HBUKGB4112V
Bank Address:
HSBC Bank, 281 Chiswick High Road
Postcode W4 4HJ London, UK