Seoul, South Korea – The third edition of the Global Piano Project, a preliminary round for the prestigious Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, is currently underway in 12 cities worldwide. The project, designed to provide wider access to the competition and reduce the burden on participants, is being held virtually to accommodate a diverse range of aspiring pianists.

The Seoul preliminary round took place on November 28th at the Steinway Gallery Seoul. Eight talented pianists competed for a chance to advance to the final round in Bolzano, Italy, next August.

Introduced during the pandemic to enable participants to compete without the need for international travel, the Global Piano Project has become a staple of the Busoni Competition. By hosting preliminary rounds in various cities around the world, the competition aims to reach a wider audience and discover exceptional talent from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The competition ensures fairness by using standardized Steinway D-247 concert grand pianos in all participating cities. Performances are professionally recorded and judged by a panel of experts. Additionally, the public can participate in the judging process by voting for their favorite performers online.

With 648 initial applicants, 120 pianists were selected to compete in the preliminary rounds. The top performers from each city will advance to the final round in Bolzano, where they will compete for a €30,000 prize and numerous performance opportunities.

The Busoni Competition, founded in 1949, is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. Past winners include renowned pianists such as Alfred Brendel and Martha Argerich. In recent years, South Korean pianists have made significant strides in the competition, with Jaehong Park and Dohyun Kim securing first and second place, respectively, in 2021.

The Global Piano Project reflects the Busoni Competition's commitment to fostering the next generation of pianists and promoting the highest standards of musical excellence.