Giuseppe Martucci Prize 2026

Piano Competition – Rules

Organized by the “Amici della Musica Vittorio Cocito” Association, Novara

Art. 1 – Purpose and organization

The “Amici della Musica Vittorio Cocito” Association of Novara organizes the Giuseppe Martucci Prize 2026, a piano competition dedicated to promoting young pianists and the music of Giuseppe Martucci.

Art. 2 – Participants

Pianists of any nationality may participate, provided they are between 16 and 26 years of age at the end of October 2026.

Art. 3 – Venue and dates

The competition takes place in Novara, at the “Guido Cantelli” Conservatory, Via Collegio Gallarini 1 – 28100 Novara, according to the following schedule:

• Friday, 16 October 2026 – Preliminary round.
• Saturday, 17 October 2026, 5:00 p.m. – “F.lli Olivieri” Auditorium. Finalists’ concert.

Art. 4 – Format

• Preliminary round (Friday, 16 October). Each candidate performs before the Technical Jury for approximately 30 minutes. At the end of this stage, the Jury selects the two finalists, who are announced publicly.
• Finalists’ concert (Saturday, 17 October, 5:00 p.m.). The two finalists perform in public, playing at least 30 minutes of music. The audience present, by vote, decides the overall winner.

The order of performance is determined by the organizers. The detailed performance schedule will be communicated to the admitted candidates.

Art. 5 – Program

• Each candidate presents a free program with a total duration of between 50 and 60 minutes, including at least one piece by Giuseppe Martucci chosen from the following list: Concert Study op. 9; Tarantella op. 44; Study for the Lebert&Stark Method op. 47; Fantasia op. 51; 3 Scherzi op. 53 (a single scherzo is also acceptable); Characteristic Study op. 54; Theme and Variations op. 58; Prelude and Toccata op. 61; 2 Nocturnes op. 70 (a single nocturne is also acceptable); 2 Capricci op. 80 (a single capriccio is also acceptable); Novelletta op. 82; 5 Pieces from Handel (a single piece is also acceptable); Gavotte from Sacchini’s Oedipus at Colonus; Gavotte from Mozart’s Idomeneo; Tempo di gavotta from Piccinni’s Orlando; Musette from Rameau’s Les Indes galantes.
• To compete for the Prize for the Best Interpretation of Martucci, the Martucci pieces performed must have a total duration of approximately 10 minutes.
• The program must be performed from memory, except for the works by Martucci and contemporary music.
• The program submitted at the time of registration cannot be changed after the deadline, unless authorized by the organizers.

Art. 6 – Jury

• The Technical Jury is composed of five members.
• The Jury does not rank candidates: it selects the two finalists by majority vote.
• The Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Art. 7 – Prizes

• Finalists: €500 to each of the two finalists.
• Overall winner (chosen by the audience): a paid recital with a gross fee of €1,000 as part of the Cantelli Festival.
• Prize for the Best Interpretation of Martucci: €500.
• “Folco Perrino” Prize: €500 for the best interpretation of a piece composed between 1856 and 1909.
• Special mentions: up to two, each with an award of €250.
• Reimbursement of accommodation expenses for the finalists, up to €100 each.
• Concerts offered to the winner by Italian concert associations in the 2026/27 season.

Prizes may be subject to withholding taxes as required by law. The organizers reserve the right not to award the prizes if the artistic level is deemed insufficient.

Art. 8 – Registration

• The application must be received by 30 September 2026, by e-mail at info@amicimusicacocito.it.
• The following must be attached to the application:
  • a copy of a valid identity document;
  • contact details (address, telephone, e-mail);
  • a detailed program with the duration of each piece;
  • an artistic curriculum vitae of 350–400 words;
  • a high-resolution photograph;
  • the receipt of the bank transfer for the registration fee;
  • a signed declaration of consent to the processing of personal data.
• The registration fee is €80, non-refundable, payable exclusively by bank transfer to:
  Associazione “Amici della Musica Vittorio Cocito”
  IBAN: IT50C0503410100000000001294
  Reference: first name, last name, Premio Martucci

Art. 9 – Number of candidates

The competition is held with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 candidates. If the minimum number is not reached by the registration deadline, the deadline may be extended by one week; if the minimum is still not reached by the new date, the competition will be cancelled and the fees paid will be refunded.

Art. 10 – Recordings and rights

The organizers may record, film and broadcast (audio, video, radio, television, web) all stages of the competition. Candidates waive any financial claim relating to such recordings and footage.

Art. 11 – Processing of personal data

Candidates’ personal data are processed pursuant to EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) exclusively for the purposes of the competition.

Art. 12 – Acceptance of the rules

Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these rules. In the event of a dispute over interpretation, the Italian-language text shall prevail.

Art. 13 – Jurisdiction

The Court of Novara has exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute.

Contacts

Associazione “Amici della Musica Vittorio Cocito” – info@amicimusicacocito.it https://premiomartucci.amicimusicacocito.it