The Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival has announced their 6th edition, to be held in Mexico City in November 2022. Baltazar Juárez founded the competition and festival in 2006 with the goal of helping young people to flourish as classical artists by competing at the international level.
The competition is divided into four categories by age, with a total prize value of nearly $10,000 USD. In addition to a monetary award, the first prize of the Young Professional division includes a concerto performance with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico immediately following the competition, as well as a solo recital at the next edition of the festival.
The competition is open to harpists of all nationalities up to the age of 36 as of November 1. Applications must be submitted by email by July 20. For more information, contact mexihcf@gmail.com, or visit the competition’s Facebook page for repertoire and rules.
Junior Division (Maximum age 15 years on Nov. 1)
First Stage
- Choose one of these pieces from Bach for Early Grades Book 1:
- Minuet in G Major (no. 4) Moderato, by J.S. Bach
- Minuet in D minor (no. 14) Andante, by J.S. Bach
- Reverie, by Susann McDonald, from Harp Solos: Graded Recital Pieces
- Free choice piece, 2–4 minutes
Final Stage
- Mexican piece to be announced
- Free choice piece, 2–4 minutes
Intermediate Division (Maximum age 20 years on Nov. 1)
First Stage
- Sérénade Mélancolique, from Feuilles d’Automne, by Alphonse Hasselmans
- Choose one:
- Sonata in C Major, K. 95, by Domenico Scarlatti
- Sonata in D Major, K. 415 – Pastorale, by Domenico Scarlatti
- Free choice piece, 3–6 minutes
Final Stage
- Mexican piece to be announced
- Free choice piece, 2–4 minutes
Advanced Division (Maximum age 25 years on Nov. 1)
First Stage
- Etude de Concert, by Félix Godefroid
- Haiku para Jan, by Gabriela Ortiz
- Choose one:
- 1ère Arabesque, by Claude Debussy
- 2ème Arabesque, by Claude Debussy
Semifinal Stage
- Free choice recital, 20–25 minutes, including the following piece:
- Mexican piece to be announced
Final Stage
- Tema y Variaciones, op. 100, for Harp and String Orchestra, by Joaquín Turina
Young Professional Division (Maximum age 36 years on Nov. 1)
First Stage
- Sonata II in G, op. 8, no. 2, by François-Adrien Boieldieu, ed. Isabelle Perrin
- Impromptu, by Gabriel Fauré
- Free choice piece, 6–9 minutes
Semifinal Stage
- Free choice recital, 30–35 minutes, including the following piece:
- Spanish Dance no. 1, from the opera La Vida Breve, by Manuel de Falla, trans. Marcel Grandjany
Final Stage
- Concertstück pour Harpe et Orchestre, by Gabriel Pierné
- Mexican piece to be announced
