
6–9 September 2025 · Thessaloniki, Greece
We are delighted to announce the 1st International “Nora Loukidou” Piano Competition – a tribute to the life and legacy of the distinguished pianist and educator Nora Loukidou. Renowned for her inspiring teaching and profound musical insight, Loukidou dedicated herself to training young pianists with passion and excellence. This international competition honors her memory and supports outstanding young talents from around the world.
- Location: “Megaron Mousikis” Concert Hall Thessaloniki
- Date: 6–9 September 2025
- Eligibility: Pianists of all nationalities, without any age restrictions
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2025
- Application Fee: €30 (non-refundable, except in case of cancellation of the competition)
- Pre-selection Results Announcement: 1 August 2025
Applications must be submitted online via email only. Participants who successfully pass the pre-selection will receive an invitation on August 1 to take part in the first round, which will take place on August 7–8. Upon successful completion, a final application fee of €120 must be paid before the second round.
Required Documents:
- Complete competition program
- High-resolution portrait photo (not older than 2 years)
- Artistic résumé
- Contact information (email, phone number, address)
YouTube link to the pre-selection video
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Résumés will not be submitted to the jury and do not influence the selection.
All rounds are open to the public and will be live-streamed.
Pre-selection (Video submission)
- One etude
1st Round – Online Live performance (7 and 8 August 2025 · Performance Time max. 15 minutes).
- One movement from a sonata
- One freely chosen piece
Performance Format and Technical Requirements
For this stage of the competition, candidates are invited to perform from a location of their own choosing. The jury will observe and evaluate the performance live via Zoom or a similar online platform.
Please note that it is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure an adequate audio-visual setup. This includes securing a stable internet connection and using a high-quality microphone or a mobile device with reliable sound capabilities. Good sound quality is essential to allow the jury to fairly assess your performance.
We appreciate your attention to these technical details and look forward to your participation.
2nd Round – Live in Thessaloniki (6 September 2025 · Performance time max. 20 minutes)
- A composition by J.S. Bach
- A fast movement from a sonata (repetition from Round 1 allowed)
- A romantic piece of the candidate’s choice
Semi-final – Live in Thessaloniki (7 September 2025 · Performance time max. 45 minutes)
- A concert program including:
- A sonata (repetition from previous rounds allowed)
- A piece from the 20th or 21st century
Final Round – Concert with the Thessaloniki Youth Orchestra (9 September 2025)
Three finalists will perform one of the following concertos with the Thessaloniki Youth Orchestra (T.Y.O.), conducted by the winners of the 1st Thessaloniki LWI Conducting Competition.
Three finalists will perform one of the following concertos with the Thessaloniki Youth Orchestra (T.Y.O.), conducted by the winners of the 1st Thessaloniki LWI Conducting Competition.
Placements will be determined by a combined vote of audience and orchestra (ratio 1:3 – one orchestra vote equals three audience votes).
- W.A. Mozart: All Mozart piano concerts
- L. van Beethoven: Piano Concertos No. 1–5
- E. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
- P. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
- S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 or No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
- 1st Prize: €1,000 + concert with the Student Philharmonic Orchestra Tübingen (Germany)
- Recital at the Culture Church Nikodemus, Berlin
- Recital at the Vafopouleio Cultural Center, Thessaloniki (for all three prizewinners)
- 2nd Prize: €500 + Recital at the Vafopouleio Cultural Center, Thessaloniki
- 3rd Prize: €300 + Recital at the Vafopouleio Cultural Center, Thessaloniki
- Best interpretation of a classical work
- Best interpretation of a contemporary work
International jury of renowned pianists and educators:
- Prof. Lambis Vassiliadis – Chair (Ionian University, Greece)
- Prof. Igor Petrin (Macedonian University, Greece)
- Prof. Dimitrios Dimopoulos
- Prof. Emre Elivar (Uludağ University, Turkey)
- Prof. Eric Schneider (University of the Arts Berlin, Germany)
- Prof. Alexander Hanneman (HfM Detmold, Germany)
- Symeon Ioannidis – Artistic Director & Founder
- All live rounds take place at the Music Center Thessaloniki.
- Practice rooms with upright and grand pianos are available.
- All repertoire must be performed from memory.
- The submitted program is binding after the application deadline.
- The organizer reserves the right to record, broadcast and publish all phases of the competition (audio, video, photo) – without compensation.
- Participation in the final round and award ceremony is mandatory for all prizewinners.
- Delays may result in disqualification.
- Email: symeonioannidis@hotmail.com
- Phone: +49 179 5174126
We look forward to welcoming outstanding young pianists from around the world to Thessaloniki in 2025. Join us in celebrating musical excellence and the enduring legacy of Nora Loukidou.