37th International Competition for Early Music
YAMANASHI, Japan April 24 – 26, 2026
I) Categories:
1) Keyboard (Harpsichord or Fortepiano)
2) Ensemble (2–6 singers, players or mixed)
II) Repertoire: (The Jury will select the pieces or excerpts to be performed)
1) Keyboard
・Choose repertoire for harpsichord or fortepiano. You may play some pieces for harpsichord on
fortepiano, or vice-versa. (Repeats at the discretion of the performer.)
Harpsichord
① J.P. Sweelinck: Pavana Lachrimae (SwWV 328) or
W. Byrd: Lachrymae Pavan (Musica Britannica Vol.28, piece 54)
②L. Couperin: Compile a suite of about 12 minutes,
beginning with own-choice Prélude non mesuré
③ D. Buxtehude: Suite in d minor (Bux WV 233)
④ J.S. Bach: Capriccio sopra la lontanza del fratello dilettissimo (BWV 992)
⑤D. Scarlatti: Sonatas K.263 & K. 264
⑥ W.F. Bach: 2 fugues from FK.31
⑦Own-choice of piece composed after 1950 (about 6 minutes)
Fortepiano
① D. Scarlatti: Sonatas K.263 & K.264
② W.F. Bach: 2 fugues from FK.31
③ J. Haydn: Sonata in E flat Major no.62 (Hob. XVI:52)
④ M. Clementi: Capriccio in B flat Major (Op. 17)
⑤ W.A. Mozart: Six Variations on Paisiello’s Salve tu, Domine (K.398)
⑥ Compile an own-choice program of about 12 minutes
2) Ensemble (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque,or Classical Era)
・One player may use several instruments or also sing
Applicants may compile their program from one or more periods as desired:
・Compile an own-choice program of about thirty minutes, choosing repertoire mainly from the
Middle Ages and/or Renaissance.
・Compile an own-choice program of about forty-five minutes, choosing repertoire mainly from the
Baroque and/or Classical eras.
III) Keyboard instruments available
1) Harpsichord (used for both categories, pitch and temperament can be changed on request for the
Ensemble category)
- The committee provides four harpsichords:
Three double-manual harpsichords (A415) of different types
One Italian harpsichord (A415 meantone temperament)
2) Fortepiano (used for both categories)
- The committee provides one fortepiano:
A. Walter model (63 notes: FF–g”’A430)
IV) Terms of Entry
a) The competition is open to anyone, regardless of age, nationality or experience
・Application period: 2.3.2026-27.3.2026
b) Applicants must submit the following:
・Completed application form
・List of pieces, including the duration of each piece & utilized instruments
・For the Keyboard category, (harpsichord) six copies of 2,6,7; (fortepiano) six copies of 2,6
in either A4 or B5 format, each piece bound separately
・For the Ensemble category, six copies of all scores in either A4 or B5 format, each piece bound
separately
(Application form, Program and Copies of music must be sent together and received by March 27, 2026 at the latest)
c) A registration fee of JPY 10,000 must be paid by March 27, 2026
Credit Post Office a/c #00220 – 8 – 19023 (kokusai kogakukonku-ru yamanashi jikkouiinkai)
Important: If overseas applicants have difficulty sending money to Japan, please contact the committee first!
d) Applications should be sent to:
Ms Tsuneko ARAKAWA
Chairperson
International Competition for Early Music, Yamanashi
〒221-0002 Oguchidori 137-5
Kanagawaku, Yokohama-City
JAPAN
Tel/ Fax (81) 45-421-0502, E-Mail eterna@nifty.com
(https://icemy.jp)
V) Competition Schedule (Both rounds are open to the public for free)
Venues: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall, Kofu & Hall of Prefectural Library, Yamanashi
Preliminary Round April 24 &25, 2026 (exact details provided after closing date)
Final Round 11:00 – 16:00 April 26, 2026
VI) Commendation (immediately after the judging on April 26)
Prizes (for each Category)
1st Prize JPY 400,000
2nd Prize JPY 200,000
3rd Prize JPY 100,000
VII) Jury for both categories
OHTAKE, Naoyuki (Chairperson);
HIRAI Miho, Myriam Rignol, Julien Wolfs, YAMANA Toshiyuki;
ARIMURA,Yuhsuke (Observer)
VIII) Miscellaneous
- Further details will be announced after the application closing date (March 27, 2026)
- Applicants may try the the instrument on the evening of April 23
Organized by the Committee of the International Competition for Early Music, YAMANASHI
Sponsors: INDENYA UEHARA Yushichi
Supporters: Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kofu; University of YAMANASHI
YAMANASHI Nichinichi-Shinbunsha; YAMANASHI Hohsoh
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37th International Competition for Early Music YAMANASHI, Japan April 24-26, 2026
Application form
Category
1) Keyboard
2) Ensemble
(Circle the appropriate category)
1) Keyboard Harpsichord Fortepiano
(Circle the appropriate instrument)
Name:
Nationality:
Address:
Tel:
E-Mail:
Gender: Male/Female/Other:
Date of Birth:
Age:
Musical Career:
2) Ensemble
Name of Ensemble:
Names of all members:
Name of Representative:
Address:
Tel:
E-Mail:
Gender: Male/Female/Other:
Date of Birth:
Age:
Musical Career of the group:
Please refer to the Terms of Entry, and prepare your application in A4 format
Deadline 27.3.2026