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I'm talking about specific pieces as opposed to general requirements(like a Bach Prelude and Fugue), and I'm also not talking about specific contemporary works commissioned for a competitions.

I got the idea for this thread by watching the junior e-competition mentioned in another thread. The specific piece(well actually a choice of two but that's close enough)required there for the third round is the Beethoven c minor Variations or Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses.

In the last Chopin Competition the required piece was the Polonaise Fantasy. I'd guess the Chopin Competition has had a required piece in the past. I believe that, at least at one point, the required piece for the Paris Conservatory audition was the Chopin Sonata No.2.


Do you know any other competitions/auditions that have a specific required piece and, if so, what is it?

What do you think are the requirements for an appropriate required piece?

Hi Piano,

When I was studying in Paris, the Conservatoire Nationale had a required program for their entrance exam that changed every year. It was usually announced in late September, and the audition took place 8 weeks later or so. The first year I was there, the required program was the Chopin g minor Ballade and the Beethoven "les adieux" sonata. The audition had to be performed live on the specified day, and you were required to present the complete work from memory even if they only wanted to hear you play for 5 minutes.

Years ago there was an international competition that required the Faure Nocturne in G#m (or F#m, but I think it was G#m)... It's a wonderful piece, but never got around to take part in the competition...