"Impressive, moving, phenomenal!",
raved the audience after our second edition of the "International Piano Competition for Young Pianists Kronberg" from March 21 - 23, 2025 at the Casals Forum in Kronberg.
We can only agree with this! We were all deeply moved by the performances of the pianists in our competition. It is one thing to experience young people who bring their passion for music to life with such artistry, expressiveness and virtuosity. The fact that so many outstanding talents from countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, the USA, Canada and the whole of Europe came to Kronberg with high expectations is another.
Renowned - significant
"With the second edition, this competition has probably established itself as one of the most important young talent competitions worldwide.",
stated Gregor Willmes, Chairman and Cultural Manager of the Carl Bechstein Foundation.
In view of the fantastic playing of all the eligible pianists, it came as no surprise that the jurors Prof. Matthias Kirschnereit, Prof. Christian A. Pohl, Prof. Claudia Schellenberger and Ulrike Danne-Feldmann awarded multiple prizes in each age group. The record sum of €20,750 for the prize money plus the sum of around €17,000 for the special prizes and follow-up concerts impressively shows how impressed the jury was with the level and quality of the young talents' piano playing.
Community-building - uniting
The cordial contact between the pianists, who congratulated and comforted each other and had fun together during the activities of the free supporting program, was also remarkable. Excursions to the Opel Zoo, Kronberg Castle and the Rhein-Main-Therme thermal baths provided plenty of opportunities to experience the competition as a shared experience and to have fun together. Richard Filz, who led the body percussion workshops, was simply amazing and also promoted the musical development of the young artists ganz
We were very happy about the visit of the Hessenschau on two days of the competition and their beautiful contribution!
The competition finally culminated in a brilliant prizewinners' concert, which you are very welcome to experience again here!
The feedback from the participants and their families was correspondingly overwhelming:
"Piano Competition Kronberg is an outstanding competition among the world piano competitions for young musicians. Everything is filled with music which unites the young musicians together. Right from the first moment we entered the Kronberg Academy, we found ourselves in the atmosphere of family, care, comfort and the exceptional organization of every little detail! We congratulate you, all the jury, your team and the winners. But it was the music that has become the main winner of your competition!"
Yuliya Bauwens, Switzerland, mother of Ellie Jasmine Bauwens
"Alexander had a very smooth and fun experience in both competition and activity participation. He loves all the practicing rooms and he attended the Body Percussion workshop twice! He also already made friends! The competition shows a top level of art professionality and sincere consideration towards young people's music education.",
enthused Chloe Jin, Alexander Zhou's mother from the USA.
Cordial - organized
We are very happy that our innovative concept with a focus on holistic and comprehensive support has been a success. Our commitment to excellent organization and a personal and warm atmosphere that puts the needs of the participants first was extremely well received.
Grateful
Combined with the perfect conditions of this wonderful venue, we are now one thing: grateful!
Thankful that we were able to experience such a competition, which with its radiance set an example for the unity of peoples and nations through music!
We are grateful that we are able to work with donors, sponsors and partners who pull together with us in the common interest of promoting talent, music, art and culture and who support us so generously both financially and in terms of ideas!
Grateful to be a guest at the Casals Forum and to be able to work together with Kronberg Academy!
Thankful for the willingness of many people to help us, be it as host families, helpers at the competition, members and supporters of our non-profit organization and much more!
Many thanks also to the supporters of our follow-up concerts. We cordially invite you to our first follow-up concert with a rousing and varied program on Sunday, 06.04.2025 at 5 pm in the Augustinum senior citizens' residence, Bad Soden-Neuenhain. Admission free, duration approx. 75 minutes without intermission.
We hope that this special competition experience will bear fruit and wish our young pianists in particular a musically fulfilling and successful future!
Your International Piano Competition Taunus e. V.
