| Sections | Piano, Violín, Voz, Cuarteto de cuerda, Composición |
| Deadline | 01 nov 2026 - 30 abr 2027 |
| Finals | 01 - 19 sep 2027 |
| Where | Katowice, Polonia |
| Age groups | Piano, String Quartet & Violin: aged 18–32 (1.1.1995 - 31.1.2009); Voice: women – aged 20–32 (1.1.1995 - 31.1.2007), men – aged 20–35 (1.1.1992 - 31.1.2007); Composition: under 40 years |
The Karol Szymanowski International Music Competition is a chance to launch a career with real momentum. A chance to gain international recognition. And a chance to win a prestigious prize. The Competition is held in four performance categories – piano, violin, string quartet and voice – as well as a composition category. All of the competition rounds (performance categories) will take place September 1–19, 2027 in Katowice (Poland) and will be open to the public. The organiser provides and covers the cost of accommodation for participants admitted to the Second Round and the Final.
Past winners and laureates of the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition include Tymoteusz Bies, Ewa Tracz, Eliot Quartett, Sławomira Wilga, Magdalena Lucjan, Seina Matsuoka, Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev or Krzysztof Wierciński.
Composition category:
Applications period: 1.01–30.04.2027
The deadline for submitting applications and compositions is 30 April 2027 at 23:59 CET. You can see the application details here.
The results of the Competition shall be announced by 30 June 2027.
Performance categories:
Applications period: 1.11.2026–31.01.2027
The deadline for submitting applications and recordings is 31 January 2027 at 23:59 CET. You can see the rules and repertoires details here.
The list of individuals/ensembles admitted to the Competition shall be made public by publication on the Organiser’s website no later than 1 March 2027.
Auditions period: 1–19.09.2027
- Voice auditions: 1–7.09.2027
- Violin auditions: 4–12.09.2027
- String Quartet auditions: 8–15.09.2027
- Piano auditions: 10–18.09.2027
- Final Gala and Prize-winners’ Concert: 19.09.2027
Composition category:
First Prize: € 15,000 grossSecond Prize: € 10,000 gross
Third Prize: € 5,000 gross
Performance categories:
Piano, Voice, Violin categories:
First Prize: € 30,000 gross
Second Prize: € 20,000 gross
Third Prize: € 10,000 gross
String Quartet category (total amount for all members of the string quartet):
First Prize: € 40,000 gross
Second Prize: € 28,000 gross
Third Prize: € 16,000 gross
Special prizes:
In addition to the prizes and distinctions referred to above, the following special prizes shall be awarded: Special prize for the best performance of works by Karol Szymanowski (in the piano, violin and voice category – in the amount of € 5,000 gross; in the string quartet category – in the amount of € 8,000 gross) and Distinction for the best collaborative pianist (in the voice and violin categories) – € 3,000 gross.
