In 1991 members of Rotaract Club Palma de Mallorca invited to one of its meetings to whom at the time was the director of the Conservatory of Music in the Balearic Islands, the beloved and remembered Francisca Cuart (r.i.p.). At that meeting they noted the lack of incentives for the students in music and after a lengthy debate they decided to organize a contest piano with the dual purpose of offering the students the opportunity to confront Mallorca with their peers in the rest of Spain on the one hand and on the other to publicize the works of Mallorcan authors often unfairly unknown.
The idea was conveyed to His Excellency Palma City Hall that received the news with great interest, and since the first edition it has worked sponsoring the first prize and part of the expenses of the organization.
Call held
The first call had a great support from the media and more than 30 young pianists from around the country participated in that first event. The Majorcan Xavier Mut, today highlighted concertist, was the first to record his name as winner of the contest.
In the years following Juan Manuel Hidalgo, M Victoria Cortes, Ivan Cabrera, Katia Michel, Sara Olleros, Francesc Mora, Daniel Tellechea, Sonia Roman, Enrique Bernardo de Quiros, Javier Negrín, Eduardo Fernandez, Carmen Carillo, were the winners of the following editions.
At the same time and in parallel, it is being held the same contest for young pianists (Category B), so they are accustomed to act in public and losing the "fear stage" of their own age.
The contest has been "in crescendo" in both the number of participants and in the value of prizes. More than 500 participants from both sexes have come to the competition that already enjoys a high level.
Prizes
As for the incentives, we must note that in addition to the allocation of cash money, the first prize will be supplemented by a concert tour as well as other items. For more information please refer to the contest rules. These concerts that the winners are awarded are greatly appreciated by the contestants because they are very useful forms for them to make them known to the public.
Jury
Another highlight is the composition of the jury. Prominent personalities from the world of music have already confirmed their attendance to the contest. The jury of 15th edition will be unveiled at this website two weeks before the contest. In previous editions, the contest has been able to count on the piano pedagogue American Tinka Knopf, the outstanding pianist Israeli Ilan Rogoff, professor of compassion in the Conservatorio Superior de Madrid and the Catalan composer and director of Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance of the Balearic Islands Josep Prohens, among others.
Dissemination
The spread of this competition is conducted through the Conservatory and schools throughout the national territory, as well as through the several Rotary Clubs, municipalities and Councils of the major cities and communities of our country as well as via the Internet. Also dispatched articles to the media related to music will appear regularly.
