Hastings International Piano, the charity responsible for the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition and the Hastings International Piano Festival announces that the 2021 Concerto Competition due to take place in June in the historic town on England’s South Coast has been rescheduled to early 2022, due to ongoing COVID 19 restrictions.

The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is an internationally renowned biennial competition for young concert pianists from around the world and in 2019 attracted competitors from across the globe, 40 of which came to compete in Hastings during the live finals. Their prize: the opportunity to perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a two-night final and to win a first prize of £15,000.

The rescheduled competition is now confirmed to take place from 24th February – 5th March 2022 with successful entrants being selected from video auditions by a panel appointed by the President of the Jury Professor Vanessa Latarche, who is Head of Keyboard at The Royal College of Music in London.

Professor Latarche joined Hastings International Piano last year to curate the next competition, oversee the audition process, as well as to preside over the international jury who she has invited to join her in Hastings.

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition has enjoyed a record number of entries this year, from an even bigger list of countries, reflecting the competition’s growing national and international importance. It was decided by the charity that produces the competition that it must only take place once competitors and audiences safety could be guaranteed and venues including the historic White Rock Theatre re-open.

Managing Director of Hastings International Piano Ian Roberts says – “The past 12 months have been an extremely testing time for all music, cultural and arts organisations and we have been constantly reviewing and adjusting our live dates and overcoming the many challenges that COVID-19 has presented to us. We have been proud of our on-line concert series, digital festival and on-going education programme that Arts Council England and Steinway supported during lockdown in 2020 and we can’t wait to welcome talented young pianists to perform live on the south coast of England for our audiences in 2022. The safety of our young artists, our volunteers, our audiences and our team is of the upmost importance to me and by moving the competition to early next year, we will be able to deliver an exciting and safe two week international competition, that our audiences have come to expect from us.

I want to thank our many patrons, friends, volunteers, host families and sponsors whose kindness, support and patience will never be taken for granted. Without them this important cultural event, which shines a light on our beloved town, would not be able to take place nor continue to spark an interest in live music for our younger generation. I am also pleased that our ongoing partnership with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues in 2022 and we look forward to announcing further news about our exciting schedule of on-line and socially distanced events taking place once lock down ends.”

The next edition of Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition takes place in the cultural hub of Hastings, on England’s historic south coast from the 24th February to 5th March 2022.