16th International César Franck Competition

General The 16th International César Franck Competition will take place on

October 4, 6 and 8, 2022

in the RC Cathedral and Basilica of St. Bavo in Haarlem, The Netherlands, on the Willibrordus-organ (Adema, 1923/1949/1971/1978, 79/IV/P).

Theme: César Franck. Participation is open for organists who obtained a bachelor degree or comparable level of education at a conservatory or music college.

Download the complete Regulations.

Program The competition consist of three rounds.

For the 1st round on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 10 a.m. – ca. 5 p.m. the mandatory works are:
César Franck: Prière op. 20, from: Six Pièces
César Franck: Pièce héroïque, from: Trois Pièces

For the 2nd round on Thursday, October 6, 2022, 10 a.m. – ca. 3 p.m. the mandatory work i:
César Franck: Grande Pièce symphonique op. 17 from: Six Pièces

For the Finals on Saturday, October 8, 2022, 4 p.m. the candidates have to prepare a program that contains:
César Franck: Trois Chorals (all three)
César Franck: Cantabile, from: Trois Pièces
César Franck: Final op. 21, from: Six Pièces

After the second round the jury will make a choice from these pieces to compose the program for the final round.

Jury In 2022 the jury consists of: Michel BOUVARD (Toulouse/Paris), Étienne WALHAIN (Tournai/Mons) and Petra VEENSWIJK.
Participation Candidates are expected to send in before July 1, 2022 a live recording of César Franck: Pièce héroïque, from: Trois Pièces, to give proof of their ability,

The recordings will be evaluated by a professional team. Depending on the quality, a maximum of 10 candidates will be invited to participate in the first round on October 4, 2022.

Prizes Three prizes will be awarded:

  • A first prize of € 2.500,-
  • A second prize of € 1.500,-
  • A third prize of € 1.000,-

In addition an Audience prize of € 500,- will be available.

The winner of the first prize will also have the opportunity to give a concert in ‘De Duif’ in Amsterdam.

Registration Fee Selected candidates have to pay a fee of € 100,- by bank transfer before September 1, 2022, without any charges for the recipient. For bank account details please look under Organisation.

Hotel and travelling expenses have to be paid by the candidate.