The Cape Piano Team at the City Hall from left to right: Justine Gevisser, Head of Communications CAPE PIANO; Adriaan Fuchs, CEO, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra; Alex Andersson, Executive Director, CAPE PIANO; Francois du Toit, Associate Professor of Piano South African College of Music; Nina Schumann, Artistic Director, CAPE PIANO; Pieter Grobler, Associate Professor of Piano Stellenbosch University. (Photo by Tiffany Schultz)
6–17th March 2027
Thirty pianists. Fourteen countries. Twelve days. One city.
The inaugural Cape Town International Piano Competition takes place in March 2027, and tickets are now on sale. From more than 200 entries worldwide, thirty extraordinarily gifted young pianists, representing fourteen countries, have been selected to take the stage in Cape Town, where they will share twelve unforgettable days of music-making. Audiences can follow them from the first notes in Stellenbosch to a finale with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at Cape Town City Hall.
Nina Schumann, Artistic Director, says, “We truly have the makings of an incredible piano event. We have a stellar field of competitors, a star-studded jury and an accomplished conductor in Maestro Daniel Raiskin, supported by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.”
With more than USD 70,000 in prize money and performance opportunities around the world, including an invitation to perform in 2027 at the Busoni Festival in Italy, Bachfest in Leipzig, Germany and the Gilmore Rising Star Series in Michigan, USA, the stakes are high. The field of contestants includes prize winners from many of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions.
The competition’s esteemed international jury includes amongst others, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Charlotte Hu, Michael Lifits and South Africa’s Francois du Toit.
Cape Piano is supported by the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition and has already been welcomed as a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. These milestones are a tremendous vote of confidence in our vision to create a truly world-class competition in Cape Town.
Follow the competition, round by round.
Rounds 1 and 2: Endler Hall, Stellenbosch, 7–11 March.
All contestants will appear in Rounds 1 & 2 before the field narrows from thirty to twelve. The Endler Hall is an intimate venue, so you get to hear these young artists up close. Come for an afternoon or stay for the week. Day pass: R250.
Semi-Finals: Baxter Concert Hall, Rondebosch, 12–13 March.
Each of our twelve semi-finalists will perform a full 45-minute solo recital. That is long enough to hear who they are as artists, not just how they play. Day pass: R250.
The Finals: Cape Town City Hall, 16–17 March, 19h00.
Over two nights, six finalists each perform a full concerto with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Daniel Raiskin. The winners are announced at the prize giving on the final night. R550 per night.
The Competition Pass
If you are a true piano enthusiast and opt for the CIPC Competition Pass, you will receive the CIPC VIP treatment. On arrival at the event on the first day of the competition, your Competition Pass will be ready for you, with allocated VIP seating for Rounds 1 and 2, the Semi-Finals and both Finals evenings. Additionally, you will receive a goodie bag that includes free CIPC gifts and a program. The Competition Pass is R2000 ( saves you R850.)
More than a competition
The Cape Piano Festival runs alongside the competition, with participants performing in pop-up recitals in communities across the Cape. This reflects Cape Piano’s mission: to create connection between the concert halls and communities. Through the Piano Graveyard Revival, Cape Piano restores disused pianos and places them, at no cost, in schools and community venues.
Alex Andersson Executive Director says: “Cape Piano would like to play a part in raising the level of classical piano in South Africa by bringing the best in the world here, connecting them with local artists through shared recitals and masterclasses and by letting this timeless music loose from the concert hall.”
The Finals will be live streamed to audiences worldwide, and the earlier rounds will be available on the Cape Piano YouTube channel.
Book now: https://www.webtickets.co.za/V2/client.aspx?clientcode=CapeTownPiano
Key details
Competition dates: 6–17 March 2027
Website: www.capepiano.com | Email: info@capepiano.com
Instagram: @capepianocompetition | Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube: [as per launch release]
Session times
Welcome Reception: Saturday 6 March, 19:00
Round 1
Sunday 7 March, 09:00–13:20
Monday 8 March, 09:00–17:30
Tuesday 9 March, 09:00–13:20
Round 2
Tuesday 9 March, 14:00–16:20
Wednesday 10 March, 09:00–18:35
Thursday 11 March, 09:00–18:35
Semi-Finals
Friday 12 March, 11:00–18:30
Saturday 13 March, 10:00–17:30
Finals
Tuesday 16 March, 19:00
Wednesday 17 March, 19:00