The 2nd edition of International D Masters Piano Competition (IDPC), held during D Festival Young Pianist Program, aims to forge a fresh path in nurturing tomorrow’s pianists by celebrating unique artistic expression and empowering emerging musicians to shape their own musical journeys. Beyond the competition stage, we seek to cultivate a supportive environment that fosters camaraderie among participants and enriches the musical community for years to come, contributing to the growth of piano arts education in China and the broader Asian region.
The 2026 IDPC offers cash prizes, festival scholarships, and a comprehensive artist and young performer management and promotion package with a total value of up to HKD $300,000. Winners will receive carefully orchestrated career opportunities through partnerships with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and Hong Kong GMC Music, such as professional manager signings, concert engagements, and recording projects. They will also be eligible for full or partial scholarships to the 2026 D Festival, along with performance opportunities during the festival.
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Competitors between ages 8 and 30 must demonstrate advanced proficiency and submit application through the application portal, including applicant's information, first round recordings, a categorized repertoire list for each competition round, and a professional portrait photograph. Prior competition experience is not required.
3 divisions of Professional Category
- D1 Children’s Division (12 and under) / Date of birth range: Born on or after July 20, 2013
- D2 Youth Division (13–17) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2008 – July 19, 2013
- D3 Artist Division (18–30) / Date of birth range: July 20, 1995 – July 19, 2008
6 divisions of Amateur Category
- A1 Division (6–7 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2017 – July 19, 2019
- A2 Division (8-9 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2015 – July 19, 2017
- A3 Division (9-10 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2013 – July 19, 2015
- A4 Division (10-12 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2011 – July 19, 2013
- A5 Division (13-15 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2009 – July 19, 2011
- A6 Division (16-18 years old) / Date of birth range: July 20, 2006 – July 19, 2009
The competition formats for each Professional Category division are structured as follows:
D1 Children Division
First Round (online) → Semifinal → Final
D2 Youth Division
First Round (online) → Quarterfinal → Semifinal → Final
D3 Artist Division
First Round (online) → Quarterfinal → Semifinal → Final
All rounds except the First Round will take place during the D Festival live at Quanzhou Grand Theatre.
The competition formats for ALL Amateur Category divisions are structured as follows:
First Round (regional live location / online) → Final (live)
The Final Round will take place during the D Festival live at Quanzhou Grand Theatre.
First Round
Applicants must submit video recordings of two contrasting pieces, each 10–15 minutes in duration.
The judges will select 9 contestants to advance to the semi-final round.
Semi-Final
Part A: Contestants will perform solo piece(s) totaling 13–15 minutes
Part B: Contestants will then followed by performing 2 art songs selected from a designated repertoire list (1 from Group A & 1 from Group B) in collaboration with an IDPC specially invited vocalist.
The judges will select three contestants to advance to the final round.
Group A Art Songs:
1. Schubert: "Gute Nacht" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.1
2. Schubert: "Der Lindenbaum" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.5
3. Schumann: "Die beiden Grenadiere", Op.49 No.1
4. Liszt: "Loreley", S.273
5. Debussy: "Le Jet d'Eau" (from "Cinq Poèmes de Baudelaire"), L.81, No.3
6. Richard Strauss: "Beim Schlafengehen" (from "Vier Letzte Lieder"), TrV 296, No.4
Group B Art Songs:
1. Schubert: "Gretchen am Spinnrade", D.118
2. Schubert: "Auf dem Wasser zu singen", D.774
3. Schubert: "Frühlingstraum" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.11
4. Schumann: "Im wunderschönen Monat Mai" (from "Dichterliebe"), Op.48, No.1
5. Richard Strauss: "Allerseelen", Op.10, No.8
6. Hahn: "Si mes vers avaient des ailes"
Final
Finalists will perform the 1st movement of a designated concerto in collaboration with Quartet Daedalus.
List of Piano Concerto:
1. Bach: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
2. Haydn: Piano Concerto in D major, Hob.XVIII:11
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K.271
4. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K.414
5. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K.488
6. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op.15
7. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op.19
First Round
Applicants must submit video recordings of two contrasting pieces, each 10–15 minutes in duration.
The judges will select 9 contestants to advance to the semi-final round.
Quarter-Final
Part A: Contestants will perform solo piece(s) totaling 13–15 minutes
Part B: 2 art songs selected from a designated repertoire list, performed in collaboration with an IDPC specially invited vocalist.
The judges will select 3 contestants to advance to the final round.
Semi-Final
Contestants will perform 4 art songs selected from 2 designated repertoire lists (2 from Group A & 2 from Group B) in collaboration with an IDPC specially invited vocalist.
The judges will select 3 contestants to advance to the final round.
Group A Art Songs:
1. Schubert: "Gute Nacht" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.1
2. Schubert: "Der Lindenbaum" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.5
3. Schumann: "Die beiden Grenadiere", Op.49 No.1
4. Liszt: "Loreley", S.273
5. Debussy: "Le Jet d'Eau" (from "Cinq Poèmes de Baudelaire"), L.81, No.3
6. Richard Strauss: "Beim Schlafengehen" (from "Vier Letzte Lieder"), TrV 296, No.4
Group B Art Songs:
1. Schubert: "Gretchen am Spinnrade", D.118
2. Schubert: "Auf dem Wasser zu singen", D.774
3. Schubert: "Frühlingstraum" (from "Winterreise"), D.911, No.11
4. Schumann: "Im wunderschönen Monat Mai" (from "Dichterliebe"), Op.48, No.1
5. Richard Strauss: "Allerseelen", Op.10, No.8
6. Hahn: "Si mes vers avaient des ailes"
Final
Finalists will perform the 1st movement of a designated concerto in collaboration with Quartet Daedalus.
List of Concerti:
- Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466
- Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
- Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op.25
- Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op.21
- Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16
- Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major, M. 83
- Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op.102
First Round
Applicants must submit video recordings of two contrasting pieces, each 15–20 minutes in duration.
The judges will select 12 contestants to advance to the semi-final round.
Quarter-Final
Part A: Contestants will perform solo piece(s) totaling 10–15 minutes,
Part B: Contestants will then perform the 1st movement of a designated piano quintet in collaboration with Quartet Daedalus.
The judges will select 3 contestants to advance to the final round.
List of Piano Quintets :
1. Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op.44
2. Franck: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op.14
3. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op.34
4. Saint-Saëns: Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op.14
5. Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op.81
6. Fauré: Piano Quintet No.2 in C Minor, Op.115
7. Elgar: Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op.84
Semi-Final
Contestants will perform solo piece(s) totaling 13–15 minutes, followed by two art songs selected from a designated repertoire list, performed in collaboration with an IDPC specially invited vocalist. The judges will select 3 contestants to advance to the final round.
Final
Finalists will perform the first movement of a designated concerto in collaboration with D·Ensemble.
List of Piano Concerti:
1, Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G Major, Op.58
2. Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E Minor, Op.11
3. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.54
4. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor, Op.22
5. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2 in C Minor, Op.18
6. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43
7. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3 in C Major, Op.26
First Round
Online applicants must submit a video recording of 1 piece of their choice.
Regional live applicant will be performing 1 piece of their choice in one of the regional locations of 2026 IDPC.
Regional locations: Seattle (USA), Beijing (China), Guangzhou (China), Shenzhen (China), Xiamen (China)
A1 Time Limit: 2 minutes
A2 Time Limit: 2 minutes
B1 Time Limit: 3 minutes
B2 Time Limit: 5 minutes
C1 Time Limit: 7 minutes
C2 Time Limit: 7 minutes
Final
Contestants who successfully advance to the Amateur Group Final Round, after paying the Final Round participation fee (HKD $2, 500), will enjoy the following exclusive opportunities carefully designed by the D·Festival team, providing valuable learning and growth opportunities for participants to perform at their best on the final stage.
Finalists must perform live at the Quanzhou Grand Theatre, with all travel and accommodation costs being the responsibility of the finalists.
1. Finals Qualification: Gain official eligibility to compete in the 2026 IDPC DMasters International Piano Competition Quanzhou Grand Theatre Finals.
2. 30-Minute Pre-Competition Coaching: Enjoy one 30-minute professional coaching session before the competition.
3. Studio Class: Participate in a series of group studio classes held during the 2026 D·Festival. Each class is approximately 1 hour, and each group participant will receive about 10–15 minutes of performance and live feedback opportunities. Class content covers piano performance techniques, music theory, stage presence, and other related topics.
4. Auditing Masterclasses/Lectures: Gain auditing access to all masterclasses and special lectures during the 2026 DFestival Young Pianist Art Festival.
Contestants can choose either one of the following:
1. Perform the same piece in the Final Round as in the First Round
2. Perform a different piece in the Final Round, provided you notify the IDPC committee at least one month in advance.
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $20,000.
Cash Prize: HKD$2,000
1. 50% Scholarship for D Festival 2027 (12-day participation category)
2. Invited to perform at D Festival 2027
3. Production of live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $14,000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD$1,000
2. 30% Scholarship for DFestival 2027 (12-day participation category)
3. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $5,000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD$500
2. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
3. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
4. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $28, 000.
Cash Prize: HKD$3,000
1. 50% Scholarship for D Festival 2027 (12-day participation category)
2. Invited to perform at D Festival 2027
3. Production of live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $20, 000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD$2,000
2. 30% Scholarship for D Festival Young Pianist Program 2027
3. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD$10, 000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD $1000
2. 20% Scholarship for D Festival Young Pianist Program 2027
3. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music Management International Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $55, 000.
Cash Prize: HKD $10, 000
1. Full Scholarship for D Festival 2027
2. Invited to perform at D Festival 2027
3. Production of live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia Music International Limited
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD $25, 000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD $3, 000
2. 50% Scholarship for D Festival Young Pianist Program 2027
3. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
Scholarship, cash prize, and performer development package worth a total of HKD$12, 000.
1. Cash Prize: HKD $2000
2. 20% Scholarship for D Festival Young Pianist Program 2027
3. Production of professional live competition recordings (video and audio)
4. Concert performance opportunities planned by Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd.
5. Certificate and Trophy
D1 Children Division: Best Chamber Music Award (Art Song)
Awarded to the contestant that demonstrates exceptional musicality, listening skills, and stylistic understanding in art song performance with the volcalist. Recipients will receive a Medal + Certificate in recognition of their outstanding collaborative achievement.
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D2 Youth Division: Best Chamber Music Award (Art Song)
Awarded to the contestant that demonstrates exceptional musicality, listening skills, and stylistic understanding in art song performance with the volcalist. Recipients will receive a Medal + Certificate in recognition of their outstanding collaborative achievement.
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D3 Artist Group: Best Chamber Music Award (Piano Quintet)
Awarded to the contestant that demonstrates the highest artistic standard in piano quintet performance, showcasing technical mastery, mature ensemble communication, and a strong grasp of chamber style. Recipients will receive a Medal + Certificate.
All professional group contestants entering the semi-finals will receive the Semi-Finalist Award (medal + certificate), in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the competition.
All professional group contestants entering the semi-finals will receive the Semi-Finalist Award (medal + certificate), in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the competition.
Distinguished Teacher Award will be presented to the teacher(s) of competitors who advance to the Final Round.
Outstanding Institution Award will be presented to the institution (school/studio/organization) whose students achieve outstanding results, such as advancing to the Semifinal or Final Round.
The following awards are set for each group (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2):
First Round Award Benefits:
Special Opportunities for Amateur Group Finalists
Contestants who successfully advance to the Amateur Group Finals, after paying the Live Final Round Registration fee, will enjoy the following exclusive opportunities carefully designed by the D Festival team, providing valuable learning and growth opportunities for participants to perform at their best on the final stage.
Finals Qualification: Gain official eligibility to compete in the 2026 International D Masters Piano Competition Quanzhou Grand Theatre Finals.
30-Minute Pre-Competition Coaching: Enjoy one 30-minute professional coaching session before the competition.
D Festival Group Studio Classes: Participate in a series of group studio classes held during the 2026 D Festival Young Pianist Program. Each class is approximately 1 hour, and each group participant will receive about 10–15 minutes of performance and live feedback opportunities. Course content covers piano performance techniques, music theory, stage presence, and other related topics.
Auditing Masterclasses/Lectures: Gain auditing access to all masterclasses and special lectures during the 2026 D Festival Young Pianist Program.
Note: Participants simultaneously participating in 2026 D·Festival are not subject to these terms.
