PR: The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition: 26 August – 3 September 2022

The 17th edition of The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition will welcome 30 pianists from 16 countries to Bergen from 26 August – 3 September 2022. Organised by KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, the competition will be held at composer Edvard Grieg’s historic home Troldhaugen in Bergen which has hosted the biennial competition since 2012. Due to ongoing travel restrictions because of the global pandemic, this is the first time the competition has taken place since 2018.

The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition is one of the world’s leading competitions for young pianists. The competition was founded to provide an opportunity for some of the world’s best young musical talent to compete and to celebrate the work of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. The most recent edition received a record number of applicants, with submissions from 247 pianists from 39 countries. Applications were open to pianists born between 1987 and 2005, with a higher age limit than in previous editions to take into account the two-year postponement. This year’s participants were selected by a panel of three experts and the winner will be decided by a jury composed of seven leading international pianists including Noriko Ogawa, Einar Steen-Nøkleberg and Lilya Zilberstein.

Three preliminary rounds will take place at Troldhaugen at the Troldsalen Concert Hall from 27 – 31 August, that audiences can attend free of charge. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage will provide audiences with the view of Lake Nordås that Grieg saw from his hut where he composed many of his best-known works. Three finalists will progress to the grand finale, which will take place at The Grieg Hall, Bergen on 3 September 2022. Each finalist will perform a solo concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Foster. The winner will be announced that evening and awarded a prize of 30,000 euros along with invitations to perform at a number of leading international venues. Second place will be awarded 20,000 euros, and third place will be awarded 10,000 euros. There will be additional prizes nominated by the Audience and Orchestra.

“The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition has established itself as one of the world’s leading competitions for young pianists and we are proud that alongside this important opportunity to make a name for themselves on the world stage that these artists will encounter Grieg’s music within the spectacular setting of his home town here in Bergen. Winning the competition will provide a boost to the participant’s career as an international concert pianist and we are excited to be finally hosting the competition once again following a two-year delay.” Said Christian Grøvlen, Competition Director.

In addition to the competition events, the 2022 programme includes several performances and master classes from both the participants and special guests. Highlights will include an exclusive concert at Håkonshallen with the Canadian pianist Bruce Liu, winner of the XVIII International Chopin Competition last year in Warsaw and a masterclass at the Grieg Academy with Jury member Lilya Zilberstein.

Click here to see the participants for the 2022 competition 

Click here to read more about the Competition history

Notes to Editors

- The 17th edition of The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition will take place across Bergen from 26 August – 3 September 2022.

- Details of the full 2022 programme, including ticketing can be found online at: https://griegcompetition.com/audience-program

- The entire competition will be available to audiences around the world to stream free of charge.

For further PRESS information please contact Maria Tripodianos, maria.tripodianos@kodebergen.no T: 0047 41459187