The PianoLink Association was born aiming to make high musical education accessible to every student or aspiring musician, to open the stages to the passionate music of professionals and amateurs or self-taught people of all ages.
Over the years, their activities – Academy, workshops, events, contests – have created a flourishing network of people and opportunities.
Considering it a valuable opportunity for every amateur pianist who has so far played purely out of personal passion, FAZIOLI has decided to join forces with PianoLink by becoming a partner of their International Amateurs Competition—an event dedicated to amateur pianists from all over the world, which will begin on August 15, 2025, with the final scheduled to take place at the Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona on September 27.
Here is some information about the competition, useful for those who wish to apply:
DATE & VENUES:
The Competition will take place online starting from August 15, 2025 (preliminary Round), and subsequently at Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona on September 27, 2025 (Final Round), and in Sacile at the FAZIOLI Concert Hall in 2026 (Winners’ Gala Concert).
APPLICATION
Candidates may register for the Competition between June 10 and August 10, 2025, by completing the online application form through the PianoLink APP available for iOS on the Apple Store and for Android on Google Play or the website www.pianolink.it/amateurs-competition/iscrizione
The application fee for the Competition is €160.00 for both categories A and B.
ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITION
All amateur pianists of any nationality and origin born before September 1, 1995, who are not professional pianists or who have not been for at least 10 years, are admitted to the Competition. Professional pianists are understood to be those who carry out remunerated concert and/or teaching piano activities. An amateur pianist is considered to be one who practices piano outside of their professional field, regardless of whether they have obtained a music degree. Amateur pianists who carry out professional activities in the field of music education are admitted to the Competition, provided that it pertains to subjects and/or musical instruments other than the piano.
CATEGORIES
The competition is divided into 2 categories:
• Category A. Candidates without any recognized academic degree in piano studies, of any nationality (first- or second-level academic diploma, undergraduate, bachelor, master, doctorate, professional, graduate, postgraduate, specialist degree or other equivalent qualifications) These candidates may alternatively register for category B if they wish to compete alongside candidates holding a diploma..
• Category B. Candidates holding an academic degree in piano studies (first- or second-level academic diploma, undergraduate, bachelor, master, doctorate, professional, graduate, postgraduate, specialist degree or other equivalent qualifications). These candidates are not allowed to register for category A.
The possession or lack of an academic degree, for the purpose of determining the category of belonging, is to be considered as of the opening date of the preliminary round.
ROUNDS:
Preliminary Round ONLINE: August 15, 2025 / September 10, 2025 — Categories A and B, with a video recording of a performance with free program of total duration between 8 and 12 minutes
FAZIOLI, official partner of the PianoLink International Amateurs Competition 2025, offers aspiring candidates the possibility to record the video for the online preliminary round free of charge at one of its official retail locations worldwide. The exclusive use of the space and a FAZIOLI grand piano will be made available, upon reservation, and for a duration to be agreed directly with the involved retail location. All audio/video equipment, technical support, and any other goods/services remain the responsibility and at the discretion of the candidate.
12 candidates will be admitted to the final round that will be held in Cremona, at Teatro Ponchielli, on September 27, 2025. The list of the finalists will be announced on September 12, 2025.
The jury will declare 5 winners by drawing up a single final ranking composed as follows: the first-place winner of cat. A, the first-place winner of cat. B, the second-place winner of cat. A, the second-place winner of cat. B, the third-place winner of cat. A or cat. B who obtained the higher score between the two. The jury will finally declare the overall winner of the PianoLink International Amateurs Competition.
PRIZES:
All candidates admitted to the Competition will receive a Certificate of Participation and a personalised summary evaluation, recorded as a voice message, by each juror.
Grand Prize Winner PianoLink International Amateurs Competition
• Award concert with Orchestra at the Fazioli Concert Hall in Sacile in 2026
• Award recital at the PianoLink STUDIOS in Milano in 2026
The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded to the candidate deemed particularly deserving by the jury, belonging to any category.
The 5 Winners of the Competition will be awarded:
• Winners’ Recital in Sacile at the FAZIOLI Concert Hall in 2026
• Exclusive visit to the FAZIOLI factory
• Winners’ Recital in Milano at the PianoLink STUDIOS in 2026
• Diploma
• Written and signed review by the jury
Cremona Musica Special Prize
The Cremona Musica Special Prize, consisting of a 30’ recital within Cremona Musica 2026 Exhibition and Festival, will be awarded to the pianist whose competition video receives the highest number of likes.
Award Ceremony. The 5 winners of the PianoLink International Amateurs Competition are required to perform at the Winners‘ Gala Concert 2026, under penalty of forfeiture of the prize won.