2026 Manhattan International Piano Competition
2026 Aachen Regional
2026 Aachen Regional - Manhattan International Piano Competition
Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition
The 2026 Aachen Regional is the official Stage 2 (Live Round) of the Manhattan International Piano Competition (solo) and Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition. Following the international video screening, selected participants are invited to perform live before a professional jury in Aachen, Germany.
This Aachen round is scheduled for 2-3 July, 2026 at Aachen, Germany.
Location TBA.
Live Competition & Jury Evaluation
Participants at the Aachen Regional will perform live before an international jury of distinguished pianists and educators. Each performance will be evaluated on interpretive depth, technical command, stylistic insight, and artistic presence.
All competitors receive professional written feedback, providing meaningful guidance for future artistic growth. The regional round emphasizes excellence, education, and international standards of performance.
Pathway to the Manhattan Final
Selected winners from the Aachen Regional will be invited to New York City to take part in the Manhattan Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest October 2-4, 2026, a multi-day international festival featuring:
• High-level solo performances
• Master classes with world-class faculty
• Collaborative cultural exchange events
• Winners recital in New York City
The Aachen Regional is a key milestone in the competition’s globally structured progression, connecting talented pianists with a prestigious international platform.
Application Deadline: 24 May, 2026
Age Divisions
Rising Artist: Ages 8–12
Young Artist: Ages 13–17Professional Division : 18-35
The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, age is determined as of 15 March 2026.All materials must be submitted through the official online application portal and include:
1. Completed application form and non-refundable application fee of €80.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional biography
3. One unedited video recording for the Preliminary Round (Stage 1)
4. A recent vertical headshot (JPEG or PDF format)
Stage 1 – Preliminary Round (Video Submission)
All applicants must submit one unedited video recording for jury review. Selected candidates will advance to the Regional Round.
Stage 2 – Regional Round (Live Performance)
Candidates selected from Stage 1 will be invited to perform in person at their designated Regional Round location.
Stage 3 – Manhattan Final
Regional winners will advance to the Manhattan Final, held in New York City as part of the Manhattan International Piano Festival.
The New York Regional includes two separate competitions:
• Manhattan International Piano Competition (Solo)
• Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition
Each competition is evaluated independently, and results are announced separately.
Applicants may apply to one or both competitions.
A separate application and fee are required for each.
Concerto Repertoire Requirements
Rising Artist Division (Ages 8–12)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto (video submission)
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Youth Senior Division (Ages 13–17)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Professional Division (Ages 18–35)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Orchestra Performance Opportunity
One Grand Prize winner may be invited to perform with orchestra during the 2027 Manhattan PianoFest in Manhattan.
Rising Artist Division (Ages 8-12)
Applicants must be at least 8 years old and not older than 12 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 6 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• One etude (classical or contemporary)
showing technical difficulty and musical expression
(e.g. concert etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ligeti or Moszkowski; traditional etudes by Czerny or Burgmüller; or pedagogical technical pieces by Kabalevsky or Kuhlau, appropriate to the applicant's level)
• One Free choice Piece of the Applicant's Choice ( Non - Etude )
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 10-15 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command
Young Artist Dvision (Ages 13-17)
Applicants must be at least 13 years old and not older than 17 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should unedited, clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 8 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Professional Artist Division (Ages 18 - 35)
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not older than 35 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 10 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Awards & Scholarships
Awards in each division include:
• 1st Prize
• 2nd Prize
• 3rd Prize
• Honorable Mentions
• Special Prizes (at the discretion of the Jury)
Grand Prize – Overall Distinction
One Grand Prize may be awarded across all divisions to the highest-scoring participant of the entire competition.
To be eligible, the candidate must receive a score of 99 or 100. The Grand Prize recipient will be awarded a $1,000 Manhattan PianoFest Scholarship, applicable toward participation in the Manhattan International Piano Festival and Final Round in New York City.
The Jury reserves the right not to award the Grand Prize if, in their professional judgment, no participant meets the required artistic standard.
All award recipients will receive an official printed certificate presented during the Awards Ceremony.
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2026 Aachen Regional -
Manhattan International Piano Competition
Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition
The 2026 Aachen Regional is the official Stage 2 (Live Round) of the Manhattan International Piano Competition (solo) and Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition. Following the international video screening, selected participants are invited to perform live before a professional jury in Aachen, Germany.
ThisAachen round is scheduled for 2-3 July, 2026 at the
Aachen, Germany. Location TBA.
Live Competition & Jury Evaluation
Participants at the Aachen Regional will perform live before an international jury of distinguished pianists and educators. Each performance will be evaluated on interpretive depth, technical command, stylistic insight, and artistic presence.
All competitors receive professional verbal & written feedback, providing meaningful guidance for future artistic growth. The regional round emphasizes excellence, education, and international standards of performance.
Pathway to the Manhattan Final
Selected winners from the Aachen Regional will be invited to New York City to take part in the Manhattan Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest, a multi-day international festival featuring:
• High-level solo performances
• Master classes with world-class faculty
• Collaborative cultural exchange events
• Winners recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City
The Aachen Regional is a key milestone in the competition’s globally structured progression, connecting talented pianists with a prestigious international platform.
Application Deadline: 24 May, 2026
Age Divisions
Rising Artist: Ages 8–12
Young Artist: Ages 13–17Professional Division : 18-35
The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, age is determined as of 15 March 2026.Application Deadline: 24 May, 2026
Application Requirements
All materials must be submitted through the official online application portal and include:
1. Completed application form and non-refundable application fee of €80.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional biography
3. One unedited video recording for the Preliminary Round (Stage 1)
4. A recent vertical headshot (JPEG or PDF format)
Structure
Stage 1 – Preliminary Round (Video Submission)
All applicants must submit one unedited video recording for jury review. Selected candidates will advance to the Regional Round.
Stage 2 – Regional Round (Live Performance)
Candidates selected from Stage 1 will be invited to perform in person at their designated Regional Round location.
Stage 3 – Manhattan Final
Regional winners will advance to the Manhattan Final, held in New York City as part of the Manhattan International Piano Festival.
The New York Regional includes two separate competitions:
• Manhattan International Piano Competition (Solo)
• Manhattan International Piano Concerto Competition
Each competition is evaluated independently, and results are announced separately.
Applicants may apply to one or both competitions.
A separate application and fee are required for each.
Concerto Repertoire Requirements
Rising Artist Division (Ages 8–12)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto (video submission)
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Youth Senior Division (Ages 13–17)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Professional Division (Ages 18–35)
Preliminary Round: One movement of a piano concerto
Regional Competition: One movement of a piano concerto
Final Round: One complete piano concerto
Orchestra Performance Opportunity
One Grand Prize winner may be invited to perform with orchestra during the 2027 Manhattan PianoFest in Manhattan
Rising Artist Division (Ages 8-12)
Applicants must be at least 8 years old and not older than 12 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 6 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• One etude (classical or contemporary)
showing technical difficulty and musical expression
(e.g. concert etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ligeti or Moszkowski; traditional etudes by Czerny or Burgmüller; or pedagogical technical pieces by Kabalevsky or Kuhlau, appropriate to the applicant's level)
• One Free choice Piece of the Applicant's Choice ( Non - Etude )
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 10-15 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command
Young Artist Dvision (Ages 13-17)
Applicants must be at least 13 years old and not older than 17 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should unedited, clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 8 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Professional Artist Division (Ages 18 - 35)
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not older than 35 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 10 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Awards & Scholarships
Awards in each division include:
• 1st Prize
• 2nd Prize
• 3rd Prize
• Honorable Mentions
• Special Prizes (at the discretion of the Jury)
Grand Prize – Overall Distinction
One Grand Prize may be awarded across all divisions to the highest-scoring participant of the entire competition.
To be eligible, the candidate must receive a score of 99 or 100. The Grand Prize recipient will be awarded a $1,000 Manhattan PianoFest Scholarship, applicable toward participation in the Manhattan International Piano Festival and Final Round in New York City.
The Jury reserves the right not to award the Grand Prize if, in their professional judgment, no participant meets the required artistic standard.
All award recipients will receive an official printed certificate presented during the Awards Ceremony.
Professor
Andreas Frölich
Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen
Yehudi Menuhin School London
pianist
German pianist Andreas Frölich studied with Stefan Askenase, Vitaly Margulis in Freiburg and Pavel Gililov in Cologne. He was prizewinner of numerous International Piano Competitions , as in Senigallia , Finale Ligure ,Vienna, Milano, and many others... He concertises in the most famous venues in Europe, South America, Asia, South Africa and Australia ,as well as in the most important Music Festivals, such as Rheingau Musikfestival, Schleswig -Holstein Musikfestival, Salzburg, Emilia Romagna Festival, Schubertiade Roskilde and many other Festivals worldwide. As a soloist Andreas Frölich appeared with many famous orchestras, among them Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de la Walonie , Wiener Kammerphilharmonie, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss, Münchener Kammerorchester, Colegium instrumentale Halle, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Rheinische Philharmonie
Koblenz, Klassische Philharmonie Bonn, Würtembergisches Kammerorchester, Suk
Chamber Orchestra Prag, Orquesta Sinfonica de Monterrey /Mexico, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Russian Philharmonic Moskau, Radio Symphonique Luxembourg, Orchestra Sinfonica di San Remo, Lutoslawski Philharmonie Wroclav, Stettin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Bretagne ,Concerto Málaga, Thüringer Sinfoniker , Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, Joenssu Sinfonic / Finnland, Kuopio Symphonic Orchestra / Finnland, Kyimi Sinfonietta Finnland, Talinn Chamber Orchestra, Kammerphilharmonie Amadé, Philharmonic Orchestra of Europe, Heidelberger Sinfoniker, Vogtland Philharmonie, National Philharmonic of Peru, Orchestre de Caen/France , Orquesta Filarmonica Montevideo... Andreas Frölich is pianist of the Mendelssohn Trio Berlin and he often performed with Ensemble Wien led by the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic. He recorded for many national (in Germany) and international Radio Stations and released more than 40 CD´s ( a number of them award winning) for different labels like, OEHMS
CLASSICS, CPO, EMI, BMG, Divox, Signum, Fono.
Andreas Frölich is Artistic Director and Chairman of the International MozArte Piano Competition Aachen, Artistic Director of the "MozArte " International Music Festival. He is Professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen , the Yehudi Menuhin School London and Professor at the Talent Music Masters University in Brescia, guest Professor at the International Summeracademy Mozarteum Salzburg, the Euro Arts Academy, the Musica Mundi Festival /Waterloo and gives Masterclasses worldwide. In the last years his students won more than 200 prizes (first and second) at International Piano Competitions . He is often inivited as jury member in many international piano
Competitions . Andreas Frölich is an official Steinway Artist.
International Jury
Andreas Frölich
pianist
Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen
Yehudi Menuhin School London
German pianist Andreas Frölich studied with Stefan Askenase, Vitaly Margulis in Freiburg and Pavel Gililov in Cologne. He was prizewinner of numerous International Piano Competitions , as in Senigallia , Finale Ligure ,Vienna, Milano, and many others... He concertises in the most famous venues in Europe, South America, Asia, South Africa and Australia ,as well as in the most important Music Festivals, such as Rheingau Musikfestival, Schleswig -Holstein Musikfestival, Salzburg, Emilia Romagna Festival, Schubertiade Roskilde and many other Festivals worldwide. As a soloist Andreas Frölich appeared with many famous orchestras, among them Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de la Walonie , Wiener Kammerphilharmonie, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss, Münchener Kammerorchester, Colegium instrumentale Halle, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Rheinische Philharmonie
Koblenz, Klassische Philharmonie Bonn, Würtembergisches Kammerorchester, Suk
Chamber Orchestra Prag, Orquesta Sinfonica de Monterrey /Mexico, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Russian Philharmonic Moskau, Radio Symphonique Luxembourg, Orchestra Sinfonica di San Remo, Lutoslawski Philharmonie Wroclav, Stettin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Bretagne ,Concerto Málaga, Thüringer Sinfoniker , Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, Joenssu Sinfonic / Finnland, Kuopio Symphonic Orchestra / Finnland, Kyimi Sinfonietta Finnland, Talinn Chamber Orchestra, Kammerphilharmonie Amadé, Philharmonic Orchestra of Europe, Heidelberger Sinfoniker, Vogtland Philharmonie, National Philharmonic of Peru, Orchestre de Caen/France , Orquesta Filarmonica Montevideo... Andreas Frölich is pianist of the Mendelssohn Trio Berlin and he often performed with Ensemble Wien led by the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic. He recorded for many national (in Germany) and international Radio Stations and released more than 40 CD´s ( a number of them award winning) for different labels like, OEHMS
CLASSICS, CPO, EMI, BMG, Divox, Signum, Fono.
Andreas Frölich is Artistic Director and Chairman of the International MozArte Piano Competition Aachen, Artistic Director of the "MozArte " International Music Festival. He is Professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen , the Yehudi Menuhin School London and Professor at the Talent Music Masters University in Brescia, guest Professor at the International Summeracademy Mozarteum Salzburg, the Euro Arts Academy, the Musica Mundi Festival /Waterloo and gives Masterclasses worldwide. In the last years his students won more than 200 prizes (first and second) at International Piano Competitions . He is often inivited as jury member in many international piano
Competitions . Andreas Frölich is an official Steinway Artist.
Manhattan Music and Arts Foundation Presents
Co - Director
Jung Eun Hong
" I'm passionate about creating opportunities for young pianists from around the world to connect, learn, and share their artistry in one of the world's most vibrant musical cities - fostering access for all and celebrating music as a universal language."
"This Competition is dedicated to students who may not have access to the same resources, but whose dedication and love for music deserve to be celebrated. It's about giving them a platform to share their talent and dreams."
Co - Director
Peter James
London Season of Excellence Piano Competition 2025
© 2025 by Manhattan Music and Arts Foundation
All Rights Reserved.
Guest Artist
Aidan Siqi Zhao
pianist
Lang Lang Young Scholar
Aidan Siqi Zhao, aged 14, is a highly gifted young musician currently studying in Year 10 at King’s College School, London. He is a dual-instrumentalist, learning both piano and violin as first instruments at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, where he continues to flourish artistically. Aidan previously performed as a member of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to orchestral performance.
Aidan is presently studying piano under the guidance of Professor Ian Jones at the Royal College of Music, receiving mentorship that has helped shape his expressive and mature musical voice. His talent has attracted national attention; in 2021, he was interviewed by BBC News in recognition of his musical achievements.
In February 2024, Aidan was selected as a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, one of the most prestigious programmes worldwide for emerging young pianists. Through this opportunity, he has received invaluable support in the form of performance engagements, artistic development, and masterclasses with distinguished musicians.
International Jury
Andreas Frölich
pianist
Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen
Yehudi Menuhin School London
German pianist Andreas Frölich studied with Stefan Askenase, Vitaly Margulis in Freiburg and Pavel Gililov in Cologne. He was prizewinner of numerous International Piano Competitions , as in Senigallia , Finale Ligure ,Vienna, Milano, and many others... He concertises in the most famous venues in Europe, South America, Asia, South Africa and Australia ,as well as in the most important Music Festivals, such as Rheingau Musikfestival, Schleswig -Holstein Musikfestival, Salzburg, Emilia Romagna Festival, Schubertiade Roskilde and many other Festivals worldwide. As a soloist Andreas Frölich appeared with many famous orchestras, among them Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de la Walonie , Wiener Kammerphilharmonie, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss, Münchener Kammerorchester, Colegium instrumentale Halle, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Rheinische Philharmonie
Koblenz, Klassische Philharmonie Bonn, Würtembergisches Kammerorchester, Suk
Chamber Orchestra Prag, Orquesta Sinfonica de Monterrey /Mexico, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Russian Philharmonic Moskau, Radio Symphonique Luxembourg, Orchestra Sinfonica di San Remo, Lutoslawski Philharmonie Wroclav, Stettin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Bretagne ,Concerto Málaga, Thüringer Sinfoniker , Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, Joenssu Sinfonic / Finnland, Kuopio Symphonic Orchestra / Finnland, Kyimi Sinfonietta Finnland, Talinn Chamber Orchestra, Kammerphilharmonie Amadé, Philharmonic Orchestra of Europe, Heidelberger Sinfoniker, Vogtland Philharmonie, National Philharmonic of Peru, Orchestre de Caen/France , Orquesta Filarmonica Montevideo... Andreas Frölich is pianist of the Mendelssohn Trio Berlin and he often performed with Ensemble Wien led by the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic. He recorded for many national (in Germany) and international Radio Stations and released more than 40 CD´s ( a number of them award winning) for different labels like, OEHMS
CLASSICS, CPO, EMI, BMG, Divox, Signum, Fono.
Andreas Frölich is Artistic Director and Chairman of the International MozArte Piano Competition Aachen, Artistic Director of the "MozArte " International Music Festival. He is Professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln -Aachen , the Yehudi Menuhin School London and Professor at the Talent Music Masters University in Brescia, guest Professor at the International Summeracademy Mozarteum Salzburg, the Euro Arts Academy, the Musica Mundi Festival /Waterloo and gives Masterclasses worldwide. In the last years his students won more than 200 prizes (first and second) at International Piano Competitions . He is often inivited as jury member in many international piano competitions. Andreas Frölich is an official Steinway Artist.
