The ClaviMasters International Piano Competition stands as a celebration of artistic excellence and global talent in the world of piano. Rooted in a distinguished legacy that began as part of the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival, the competition continues a tradition of inspiring and supporting outstanding young pianists from all around the world by offering them the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of some of the biggest names in the contemporary classical music world, with a variety of top prizes awaiting the most accomplished amongst their number.
The ClaviMasters International Piano Competition was first established in Cologne in collaboration with the city’s Hochschule für Musik as part of the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival, marking the humble beginning of what would become a global journey.
In 2015, the competition moved to Aachen, where it was held in partnership with the Conservatory of Music and Dance Cologne/Aachen, building on its strong basis and strengthening its educational and artistic foundations.
ClaviMasters arrived in Hamburg in 2019, being hosted alongside the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, further expanding its presence within Germany’s leading cultural music centres.
After a pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ClaviMasters returned in 2022 with its first edition beyond Germany’s borders, aligning itself with one of Europe’s most historic musical cities in the form of the Austrian city of Salzburg, where it was organised in cooperation with the Mozarteum University Salzburg.
Shifting countries once again in its globetrotting journey, ClaviMasters was hosted in Pescara, Italy in 2024, in tandem with the city’s Luisa D'Annunzio State Conservatory of Music, marking its continued expansion across Europe.
Remaining in Pescara, ClaviMasters entered a new phase in 2025, moving away from ClaviCologne, and returning to the Italian city as part of the Accordi Musicali International Festival, where it was held in collaboration with the Luisa D'Annunzio State Conservatory of Music under the umbrella of the Accordi Musicali Academy, the festival’s educational branch.
From 2026 onward, ClaviMasters begins its independent journey as a standalone event, set to travel across major cultural cities worldwide bringing with it the highest standards of classical piano competition, honed and perfected over its long and rich history at the heart of Europe.
Dear Friends,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the ClaviMasters International Piano Competition, a project that represents both a proud artistic legacy and an exciting vision for the future. Since its inception, ClaviMasters has been driven by a deep commitment to artistic excellence, and the discovery of exceptional young pianists whose voices deserve to be heard on the world stage...
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
ClaviMasters was conceived as a space where pianists could express not only technical mastery, but also their true musical identity. Throughout its evolution, from its early years within ClaviCologne to its most recent chapters, the competition has always placed artistry, talent, and individuality at the centre of its artistic vision, and this will remain our driving force for this upcoming standalone edition...