Semifinals and Finals Information

The 2024 Competition will feature eight to nine Semifinalists who all compete on Saturday, June 1st at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. At the conclusion of the Semifinal round, the jurors will select 3 or more individuals to advance to the Finals on Sunday, June 4th. Please note that the Competition may alter its format and requirements for semifinalists due to public health requirements.

Format

The Semifinal and Final rounds of the Klein Competition are short recitals performed in a concert hall, without interruption, in front of both the jury and an audience. Semifinalists are responsible for creating programs for each round that satisfy both the repertoire requirements and the specified time limits, as well as giving the jury and audience the most complete picture of the contestant as a musical artist.

Program Requirements

For the Semifinals:
Assemble a no more than 25 minute program (actual playing time) including:

  1. An unaccompanied Bach work (at least one substantial movement)
  2. Movement from a Classical, Romantic, or major 20th/21st century concerto (with cuts as necessary)
  3. The entire commissioned work (unaccompanied)
  4. Do not include the sonata movement in this program.

Cuts in tutti passages of the concerto are expected in both rounds.

For the Finals
Assemble a no more than 35 minute program (actual playing time) including:

  1. Additional movements of the concerto
  2. At least one substantial movement of a Classical, Romantic, or major 20th/21st century sonata with piano (unless the chosen sonata has only short movements, in which case more than one may be programmed)
  3. May also include more unaccompanied Bach and/or the commissioned work, if time permits.

Again, cuts in tutti passages of the concerto are expected in both rounds.

Semifinalists submit their proposed programs (in performance order, and with timings for each work) no later than April 11, 2023 so the jury may assist in choosing selections that will both satisfy the Competition requirements and represent their playing in the most favorable light. The Competition reserves the right to recommend changes in programs. Semifinalists may direct questions regarding repertoire, cuts, etc. to Competition Artistic Director Mitchell Sardou Klein.

By April 11, 2024 semifinalists are asked to send:

  1. High-resolution digital headshot
  2. Short biography (include nationality, age, teachers, schools attended, significant performances, awards and competitions won, etc.) of approximately 200 words).

Please consider the following program guidance:

  • Programs should be balanced and interesting to the listener as well as highlight the semifinalist’s best playing. It is advisable to play different movements in the Finals than in the Semifinals.
  • Cuts may be made as needed (and musically justified) to fit time requirements. The judges understand this and will not penalize for cuts.
  • Do not exceed the time limit (better a minute or two short than long). Semifinalists risk being halted by the judges if they run over the time limits. Be sure to include timings when submitting programs.
  • All unaccompanied works and concerti must be played from memory, except for the commissioned work, which we recommend but do not absolutely require be memorized. It is not required to memorize the sonata.
  • Semifinalists are not required to play the same repertoire submitted in their application, even though some categories are similar.
  • Please include all details necessary for the printed program. For example: Brahms, Concerto in D Major, Opus 77, Allegro non troppo (9:00) or Prokofiev, Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Opus 80, Allegrissimo (3:50).