KlassikPreis.Österreich Gradus ad Parnassum

Rules: Invited to participate are young artists up to the age of 26 and singers up to the age of 28 who fulfill one of the following criteria:

• Austrian citizenship
• Come from the South Tyrol region
• Permanent residency in Austria for at least three years
• Registered at an Austrian university for at least three years.
• In the chamber music category the maximum age of individual musicians is 28 and at least half of the group must fulfill the above criteria.

The programme must exactly match the published requirements and in free choice sections should cover different stylistic époques and demonstrate different characters. The composition of the programme is a criteria for the jury in that it demonstrates artistic maturity. In the first and second rounds the performance of individual movements or parts is allowed. The repetition of works already performed is not allowed. In the final the compulsory piece/solo concerto is to be performed in full.

Participants must agree to radio and television broadcasts as well as sound and video recording which will be reproduced for non-commercial purposes. There is no entitlement to a fee.

Further Information (in German)

Commissioned pieces

Prizes:

Soloists:

• 1^st prize: EUR 3.000 (Gradus-Prize)
• 2^nd prize: EUR 1.500
• 3^rd prize: EUR 750

Ensembles:

• 1^st prize: EUR 6.000 (Gradus-Prize)
• 2^nd prize: EUR 3.000
• 3^rd prize: EUR 1.500

The Austrian Classic-Prize (Großer Gradus ad Parnassum-Preis): EUR 3.000

Concert engagements throughout Austria, scholarships for master classes, financial aid for participation in international competitions.

Application: The application form can be downloaded from the competition website. It must be sent by the application deadline (date as post mark) with:

• The exact and full programme for the first and second rounds as well as the final according to the programme rules.
• For students: declaration of consent of the professor
• CV and details of artistic career as a word document
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of payment of registration fee
• Document of legal residency (only for participants who do not hold Austrian citizenship or come from South Tyrol)
• Confirmation of registration at university for the previous 3 years (only for non-Austrian citizens or for those resident abroad)

Each participant must also send by email a biography as word document and a photo in .jpg or .tif form.

The application fee for soloists is € 50 and for ensembles € 100. This must be transferred to the competition account and is refunded if the applicant is not admitted to the competition.

Background: ‘Gradus ad Parnassum’ offers young gifted musicians from Austria a forum to measure their instrumental and artistic capabilities. The Austrian competition for classical music aims to prepare participants for the international competition – on a national level under professional conditions. It is one of three competitions organised by ‘Musik der Jugend’ and is aimed at young musicians in an advanced stage of their professional music studies.

At a conference of the state cultural representatives on 6th May 1994, the Austrian federal states decided to take on sole governing responsibility for the Austrian Youth Music Competitions MUSIK DER JUGEND (Music of Youth) with the support of the Federation, to set up a common office, and to carry out the competitions. The organisation and the functioning are regulated by an administrative agreement of the nine federal states and rules of internal procedure. The Board of Trustees is the deciding body on federal level. The expert jurisdiction rests with the Federal Expert Board.

Last updated: 01.09.2011