August 31st to September 6th

Where renowned pianists and young talents alike make music in a relaxed setting

Artistic Director: Gianluca Luisi

"Polo Music Management", sponsored by the City of Osimo (AN, ITALY), presents “Osimo Piano Hours Festival” and the 8th edition of the “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” Osimo International Piano Competition, to be held at the “La Nuova Fenice” Theatre from August 31 to September 06, 2018.

The Mission

The Osimo International Piano Competition and Festival seek to provide an opportunity for Italian and foreign pianists to meet, and to encourage young talents with cash prizes, scholarships, concerts, and educational activities to promote and facilitate the study of piano and enjoyment of music.

The Vision

To foster individual growth and offer an opportunity to exchange artistic ideas and repertoire in a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere dedicated to music.

RULES AND REGULATIONS Eligibility:

International Youth (Competition by Age Categories) - August 31st September 1st

The competition is open to all Italian and foreign pianists who have not already won a first prize in previous editions.

• Category Enfant Prodigy Soloists born up to 2013 (inclusive up to 10 years old) • Category Enfant Prodigy Four Hands born up to 2013 (inclusive up to 10 years old) • Category A Soloists born in 2012 (age 6)

2018  2018  2018  

• Category A Four Hands born in 2012 (age 6) • Category B Soloists born in 2011 (age 7) • Category B Four Hands born in 2011 (age 7) • Category C Soloists born in 2010 (age 8) • Category C Four Hands born in 2010 (age 8) • Category D Soloists born in 2009 (age 9) • Category D Four Hands born in 2009 (age 9) • Category E Soloists born in 2008 (age 10) • Category E Four Hands born in 2008 (age 10) • Category F Soloists born 2006 to 2007 (ages 11-12) • Category G Soloists born 2004 to 2005 (ages 13-14) • Category H Soloists born 2002 to 2003 (ages 15-16) • Category I Soloists born 1999 to 2001 (ages 17-19) • Category L Four Hands born before and including 2002 (up to age 16)

NOTE: Competitors may apply to categories above their chronological age if they think their preparation adequate.

National Competition (Young Pianists under 28) - September 2nd and 3rd

All pianists with Italian citizenship or foreigners with Italian residency and/or anyone having Italian residency permits born between 1990 and 2002 (ages 16-28)

NOTE: It is possible to register for the competition national level at a younger age if the candidate considers his or her preparation adequate. “Nuova Coppa” Osimo International Piano Competition - September 4th and 5th

All Italian and foreign pianists can participate in the competition born from 2002 to 1986 (16-32 years). It is possible to register for the international competition at a lower age if the applicant deems its proper preparation.

NOTE: The absolute winner of the "International Music Competition Giuseppe Tricarico" (Italy) automatically qualifies for the finals of the “Nuova Coppa” International Competition (16-32). Final Concert and Award Ceremony, Evening of September 6th

Prize winners will perform in the Final Concert. In addition, those who have shown particular talent throughout the competition may be invited to perform at the discretion of the artistic director and taking into account the timing of the evening.

Fees:

The individual participation fee is based on the category of event:

• Category Enfant Prodigy Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category A Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category B Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category C Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category D Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category E Solo € 25.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category F Solo € 50.00 and € 50.00 for Four Hands • Category G Solo € 50.00 • Category H Solo € 50.00 • Category I Solo € 60.00 • Category L Four Hands € 100.00 • National “Young Pianists under 28” € 80.00 • International “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” (ages 16-32) € 100.00

NOTE: It’s possible to register both in the category and in the International competition by paying two different tuition fees. Those registered in the National competition can take part in the "Nuova Coppa Pianisti" 16-32 International Competition by paying a single registration fee - which therefore includes participation in the two competitions - equal to € 110.00. Registration and Payment Start: May 15, 2018

The enrollment for all categories of the competition must be done exclusively on-line by filling in completely (including proposed repertoire program) and following the instructions. The registration form and the enrollment fee via Paypal is available on the official website of the competition on May 15th 2018: www.nuovacoppapianisti.com

NOTE: Registration will not be considered official until payment of fees has been submitted and received.

To pay by bank transfer to "POLO MUSIC":

IBAN IT20Q0854937490000050122687 Swift - ICRAITRRF90

Include: Reason for payment, surname and name of the candidate and category.

• For e-mail communications write to the following address: info@polomusicmanagement.com

• All participation fees are not refundable in case of cancellation or absence of the candidate. • Registration must be sent no later than the deadline of July 1, 2018. • Any applications sent after the deadline will be considered at the discretion of the Artistic

Director and the Committee of the Competition Promoters. • The schedule will be published on the competition website www.nuovacoppapianisti.com by

August 1, 2018. It is the responsibility of the competitors to be informed about the exact time of their auditions by visiting the website or by calling the City of Osimo (see section "13. Contacts" of this announcement)

Repertoire requirements:

International Youth Encounters (Categories) Consists of a single audition with a free program.

National Competition (young pianists under 28) Consists of a single audition with a free program.

International Competition “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” (16-32 years) The competition will take place in two rounds with free program.

NOTE: Candidates are not obligated to perform from memory.

Duration times of audition by category:

International Youth Encounters (Categories)

Category Enfant Prodigy Soloists and Four Hands: from 1 minute to 5 minutes;

Category A, B, C, D, E Soloists and Four Hands: maximum of 8 minutes;

Category F, G, H: maximum of 13 minutes;

Category I, L: maximum of 15 minutes.

National Competition (young pianists under 28)

Maximum of 25 minutes.

International Competition “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” (16-32 years)

First round: maximum 15 minutes;

Second round (finals): maximum 30 minutes.

NOTE: You may repeat pieces performed during the first round.

General Rules

a) The auditions will be public. However, concert decorum is required and respectful to the candidates engaged in performance. Avoiding continuously entering and exiting the concert hall. Mobile phones must be silenced or turned off;

b) Upon arrival, candidates must present a valid identity document (ID card) or a document certifying nationality (at the President of the Jury and/or Artistic Director); minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or authorized adult;

c) There will not be a call for each category. The contestants must arrive no later than 20 min. prior to their designated audition time at “La Nuova Fenice” Theatre. In case of delayed arrival of the contestant, his/her admission will be decided by the panel on the basis of the contestant s reasons. In case of delays due to external causes, please inform the Public Relations office as indicated in the Competition regulation;

d) Pursuant to art. 10 of Law no. 675/96 on the protection of personal data, information provided at registration will be used solely for the purpose of this competition. Registration in the contest implies acceptance of the processing of personal data and authorization to publish them on the net, as well as the unconditional acceptance of these rules;

e) Applicants may not claim rights or make financial claims regarding any audio and/or video taken during the course of the entire event;

f) The organization accepts no liability with respect to any injury to persons and / or property of any nature during the course of the competition and the final concert;

g) In case of dispute or claim, only the Italian version of the Competition Regulations will be considered valid. Any dispute will be settled by the Court of Ancona.

h) A list of the main Bed and Breakfast, Hotels and Restaurants of the City of Osimo (AN) is available on the official website of the Competition on the "Partners" page; i) During the competition, any questions or concerns may be directed to the staff which will be available full-time at the audition offices; j) The Polo Music Assoc. reserves the right to make any changes to the regulations and to cancel all or part of the competition if circumstances beyond its control will prevent the carrying out of the competition, in which case the entry fee will be fully refunded.

Performance/Practice Pianos

The competition will provide the prestigious Yamaha CFIIIS or Yamaha CFX in the historic and uniquely beautiful setting of the La Nuova Fenice Theatre (600 seats). The acoustics of the theater are considered perfect for concerts as well as recordings.

The International Jury

The jury will be composed of renowned professors, Italian and international concert artists, and promoters (event organizers, music critics, magazine editors, labels and record labels, artist managers). If any member of the jury is indisposed for health reasons or force majeure it will be the responsibility of the artistic director to find a worthy replacement. The jury will be divided into different committees depending on the categories. Jury International Youth Encounters (Categories), August 31 - September 1: Cristina Altamura, concert pianist, teacher and Associate Artistic Director of the Competition, Founder/Director, Legacy Arts International, (USA) Emiliano Giaccaglia (Italy) Phyllis Lehrer (USA) Alberto Nones (Italy) Alessandro Simonetto (Italy) Jury National Competition (Young Pianists under 28), September 2-3: Michel Brousseau, pianist, conductor, President of the Jury (Canada) Cristina Altamura (USA) Phyliss Lehrer (USA) Luigi Tanganelli (Italia) Enrico Tricarico (Italia) Jury Competition International “Nuova Coppa Pianisti", September 4-5 (16-32 years) Andrea Padova concert pianist, teacher, President of the Jury (Italy) Michel Brousseau (Canada) Marsida Koni (Albania) Francesco Monopoli (Italy) Alessandro Simonetto (Italy) Enrico Tricarico (Italy) Moritz von Bredow (Germany) Evaluations The Jury's evaluations are definitive, irrevocable and final. They will be formulated by assessments points:

a) • 98 to 100 points: first prize b) • 95 to 97 points: first prize c) • 90 to 94 points: second prize d) • 85 to 89 points: third prize

For the International Competition “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” the voting system will be decided by the Artistic Director of the competition;

b) The judges have the right not to award prizes if the participants are not considered worthy. They can also decide to assign a tie only for second and third prizes, the first prize will not be divisible;

c) A judge shall abstain from voting if he/she has a familial relationship with a competitor or has had an ongoing private teaching relationship in the two years prior to the competition;

d) Ranking will be announced at the end of each category.

e) The winners must attend the awards ceremony to be held at the La Nuova Fenice Theatre in Osimo, (AN) on Saturday, September 1st 2018 (International Youth Encounters - Categories) and Tuesday, September 6th 2018 (National and International Competition).

Prizes/Awards

International Youth Encounters (Categories)

Categories Enfant Prodige, A, B, C, D, E soloists and four hands: First Absolute Prize: Diploma of Merit First, Second and Third Prizes: Diploma of Merit NOTE: In this category there will be no cash prizes in order to avoid excessive competitiveness between children and to retain the purity of the joy of music as their first motivation to study music. Categories F, G, H: First Absolute Prize: € 150.00 Scholarship and Diploma; First, Second and Third Prizes: Diploma of Merit. Category I: First Prize Absolute: Scholarship of € 200.00 and Diploma; First, Second and Third Prizes: Diploma of Merit Category L: First Prize Absolute: Scholarship of € 250.00 and Diploma; First, Second and Third Prizes: Diploma of Merit. National Competition (Young Pianists under 28)

First Prize: Scholarship of € 800.00 and a concert held at Palazzo Campana in the summertime "Concerts in the Cloisters " in 2019 concert season. Second Prize: € 500.00 scholarship International Piano Competition “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” (16-32 years)

First Prize: - € 2,000.00 Scholarship distributed as follows: € 1,000.00 will be delivered during the awards ceremony on September 6, 2018 and € 1,000.00 will be used as compensation for a concert and / or a masterclass to be held in a European city in the 2019-2020 season; - The possibility of playing with the symphonic orchestra FORM, Orchestra Marchigiana Philharmonic, (at the discretion of the Artistic Director of the Competition and Orchestra management) during the 2019-2020 season in important theaters of the Marche Region (Italy) or during the concert season in Osimo; - A digital album in HD offered by the OnClassical Label. Repertoire will be agreed upon with the label’s producer;

- Promotion and recommendations to Italian and foreign concert societies and organizations. NOTE: The first prize won’t be divided. Second Prize: € 500.00 and diploma. Promotion and recommendations to Italian and foreign concert societies and organizations. Third Prize: € 250.00 and a diploma. Promotion and recommendations to Italian and foreign concert societies and organizations. Special awards

The following special prizes will also be awarded:

• J.S. Bach Prize - in the amount of € 200,00 - for the best execution of a Prelude and Fugue of J. S. Bach;

• Grete Sultan Prize - in the amount of € 200,00 in memory of the pianist Grete Sultan for the best interpretation of a contemporary composition written after 1975;

• Beethoven Prize - in the amount of € 200,00 - for the best interpretation of a sonata by L. v. Beethoven.

NOTE: Other prizes may be offered by the Artistic Director.

Specifics

* The payment of prizes will be made by non-transferable check or bank transfer made payable to the parents for minors.

* During the festival there will be piano concerts, musical and cultural events (at the Palazzo Campana, art exhibitions such as "Capolavori Sibillini", historical museums of the city of Osimo and the Grottos, the location of the Grottos are available at the Office of Tourism).

* Osimo is situated in the “Conero" region. Those who wish to can easily reach the beaches of Portonovo, Sirolo and Numana via car or public transport (10 to 20 minutes).

* Free accommodation for competitors may be available in accordance with the terms and offered by accommodation facilities (they are listed on the competition website). For info you can contact the hotels directly or contact the Osimo Office of Tourism.

* The organization of the competition is NOT responsible for the accommodation of competitors and must be arranged independently by each contestant.

Recordings

During past editions of the competition, recorded discs (Cd’s) have been made for the winners and artists attending the festival for international labels such as Naxos, Brilliant Classics, Movimento, Danacord, Amadeus, Suonare News and for radio collaborations with Rai Radio Tre, Rai Radio Uno and Rai Tre Marche region.

Last year, the Competition presented a Sony CD recorded by the youth section winner of the “4th Nuova Coppa Pianisti,” Francesco Mazzonetto. Concerts Offered

Concerts organized for the winners of the “Nuova Coppa Pianisti" in previous editions:

• Four concerts with the Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra in historic theaters • of the Marche Region for the winner of the 2017 Giulio De Padova; • Two concerts, one with the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana for • winner of the 2016 Vasyl Kotys; • A concert for the opening of the exhibition of Vittorio Sgarbi March 17, 2016 at the Teatro La

Nuova Fenice in Osimo with the 2015 winner, Evgeny Starodubtsev, in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto, No.4, Op.58, with the Marche Philharmonic Orchestra;

• Three concerts in the season in 2015 with the Marche Philharmonic Orchestra in Osimo Theaters, Chiaravalle and Urbino for the winner ed. 2014 pianist Nicola Losito;

• A concert at the Sala Walter Gieseking, at the Hochschule in Saarbruecken for the winner Sebastian Di Bin;

• A concert at Cape Town Piano Festival, South Africa; • Concerts organized at the Colorado Piano Festival (USA); • A concert organized by the competition at the Music at Penn Alps Chamber Music Series (New

York), USA; • Concerts in the Season "Meister Konzerte", Sulzbach, Germany; • Concerts in the city of Hamburg, Germany; • Summer Concerts at the cloister of the Palazzo Campana, Osimo (AN) for the winners Umberto

Jacopo Laureti and Maddalena Giacopuzzi; • Concerts at the Piano Academy of Marche, Italy; • A summer Concert at the Season "I concerti del chiostro", Civitanova Marche, Italy; • Concerts at the Festival "Osimo International Piano Competition NUOV A COPP A PIANISTI"

of Osimo (AN); • Concerts in cooperation with the Walton Foundation in Ischia; • Concerts in Recanati Musical Evenings.

Many other concerts were offered and organized by the artistic director in cooperation with Italian and foreign organizations and institutions that could not be included in this list.

Contacts

For telephone communications, please turn to Department of Culture, Piazza del Comune 1- 60027 Osimo (AN). Telephone 071.7249271.

Green Number of the City of Osimo always active: 800-228800

Artistic direction and committee: info@polomusicmanagement.com

Press Office: ufficiostampa@nuovacoppapianisti.com

Public Relations Office: upr@nuovacoppapianisti.com

Miscellaneous

• Live television coverage of the competition as well as audio and video footage will be carried out by national and local broadcasters;

• Registration is not valid unless completed by the deadlines specified; • The Polo Music Assoc. reserves the right to make any changes to the regulations and to cancel all

or part of the competition if circumstances beyond its control will prevent the carrying out of the competition, in which case the entry fee will be fully refunded;

• The application for the Nuova Coppa International Piano Competitions MUST be sent ONLINE on the website (www.nuovacoppapianisti.com) of the competition (online form).