Rules • Ensembles • Online
Online Competition ASTOR PIAZZOLLA®
The Online Competition ASTOR PIAZZOLLA® celebrates the music and legacy of the renowned Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. Open to ensembles of all nationalities, genders, and ages, it aims to promote and preserve the spirit of Piazzolla’s music through ensemble performance.
Designed to provide talented musicians from around the world with the opportunity to participate regardless of geographical distance or travel constraints, the fully online format creates an international and accessible platform in which artistic excellence, musical interpretation, ensemble cohesion, and individual expression remain at the center of the evaluation.
GENERAL RULES
Eligibility
The Online Ensemble Category is open to ensembles of up to 12 members, regardless of the nationality, gender, or age of their members.
All instrumental and vocal combinations are eligible to participate.
Repertoire
Only music by Astor Piazzolla may be performed in the competition.
Ensembles may perform original works by Piazzolla or transcriptions and arrangements of his music.
If an official transcription or arrangement is performed, the name of the arranger must be clearly indicated in the application and in the submitted repertoire.
PARTICIPATION FEE
Ensembles: €50 per ensemble member
Each ensemble must submit one single application on behalf of the entire ensemble, accompanied by one corresponding payment covering all participating members.
Individual ensemble members must not submit separate applications or make separate payments.
The total participation fee is calculated according to the number of members in the ensemble.
For example, an ensemble of 4 members pays €200 in total (€50 × 4 members).
The ensemble submitted in the application should remain consistent throughout the competition. Any changes to the ensemble membership must be communicated to and approved by the organizers.
The application fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the ensemble withdraws, is disqualified, or fails to submit its application or video materials by the specified deadline.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
1. Bank Transfer
All transaction costs must be fully covered by the applicant so that the complete participation fee is received by the organizer.
Bank Name: CREDIT AGRICOLE ITALIA S.P.A.
Account Holder: Associazione Musicale Como Classica
IBAN: IT12 O 06230 10920 000048116276
SWIFT/BIC: CRPPIT2P321
Important: The 5th character of the IBAN is the letter “O”, not the number zero (0).
Please indicate the full name of the ensemble in the payment description/reference.
2. PayPal
For payments made via PayPal, the participation fee is increased by €5 to cover PayPal charges borne by the recipient.
PayPal: comoclassica@gmail.com
PayPal participation fee: €55 per ensemble member
Please include the full name of the ensemble in the PayPal payment note/message.
COMPETITION PROCEDURE
The Online Ensemble Category consists of two rounds, both conducted entirely online.
Round I — Preliminary Round
Each ensemble must submit two video recordings, each featuring a different work by Astor Piazzolla.
Each video recording may have a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
The two recordings must feature different compositions by Astor Piazzolla.
Suites and multi-movement works are considered a single composition, even when only selected movements are performed.
The submitted videos will be reviewed by the Jury during the Preliminary Round.
Following the Preliminary Round, a number of ensembles will be selected to advance to the Online Final.
The number of finalists will be determined by the Jury and organizers according to the overall level and number of applications received.
Round II — Online Final
The finalists will advance to the Online Final based on the same two video recordings submitted at the beginning of the competition.
No new video recordings may be submitted for the Final Round.
The same original video submissions will be evaluated by the Final Jury according to the established artistic and technical assessment criteria.
The Final Jury will award points based on the submitted performances and determine the final ranking and winners of the Online Ensemble Category.
The decision of the Final Jury regarding the final ranking and awards is final.
VIDEO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Each ensemble must submit:
Two video recordings
Each recording featuring a different work by Astor Piazzolla
A maximum duration of 15 minutes per recording
The two recordings may be of works performed specifically for the competition or of previously recorded performances, provided that they comply with all competition requirements.
The submitted recordings must represent genuine performances by the participating ensemble.
The ensemble members appearing in the submitted recordings should correspond to the ensemble members declared in the application.
Any evidence of multiple takes, editing, manipulation, or audio that does not correspond to the submitted video performance will result in disqualification from the competition.
Further technical requirements for video submissions will be specified in the application form.
EVALUATION
Preliminary Round
The Preliminary Round is intended to identify ensembles that demonstrate the artistic level required to advance to the Online Final.
The Jury will evaluate the submitted performances with consideration given to the ensemble’s overall artistic and musical qualities.
Online Final
In the Online Final, the same two submitted performances will be evaluated in greater detail according to established assessment criteria, which may include:
Artistic interpretation
Musicality and phrasing
Technical proficiency
Stylistic understanding of Piazzolla’s music
Ensemble cohesion and interaction
Balance and sound quality
Overall artistic impression
The final scores will determine the ranking and winners of the Online Ensemble Category.
The organizers reserve the right to establish and publish the detailed scoring system and evaluation criteria for the Online Final.
RESULTS AND ANNOUNCEMENT
The results of the Online Ensemble Category will remain confidential until the official announcement of the competition winners.
The final results of the Online Ensemble Category will be announced on April 11, 2027, together with the winners of the live competition in Como.
The organizers may announce the finalists of the Online Competition before April 11, 2027. However, the final ranking and winners will remain confidential until the official announcement.
AWARDS
1st Prize — Winner
Official title of Winner of the Online Competition ASTOR PIAZZOLLA®
Official Diploma (Digital Format)
Video featured on the official social media channels of the Competition and Astor Piazzolla's official channels
2nd Prize — Laureate
Official title of Laureate of the Online Competition ASTOR PIAZZOLLA®
Official Diploma (Digital Format)
SPECIAL MENTIONS
In addition to the main awards, the Online Competition may confer the following Special Mentions in recognition of outstanding artistic merit:
Best Chamber Interpretation of an Original Work by Astor Piazzolla
Best Arrangement of a Work by Astor Piazzolla
“Original Work by Astor Piazzolla” refers exclusively to a composition originally written by Astor Piazzolla and does not include arrangements, transcriptions, adaptations, or other reworkings of Piazzolla’s compositions.
Special Mentions are independent of the official competition ranking and are awarded, or withheld, at the sole discretion of the Jury. Depending on the overall artistic level demonstrated by participants, a Special Mention may or may not be awarded in a given edition.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All video recordings must be submitted according to the provided deadlines and technical guidelines.
The submitted video must represent an authentic performance by the participating ensemble.
Any evidence of multiple takes, editing, manipulation, or audio that does not correspond to the submitted video performance will result in disqualification from the competition.
The video must clearly show and correspond to the members of the ensemble performing in the submitted recording.
Further technical requirements for video submissions will be specified in the application form.
DEADLINES
Applications will be open until March 1, 2027, 23:59 CET.
The finalists selected for the Online Final will be announced following the completion of the Preliminary Round.
The final results of the Online Ensemble Category will be announced on April 11, 2027.
FINAL PROVISIONS
By submitting an application, participants confirm that they have read and accepted all competition rules and requirements.
The organizers reserve the right to make decisions concerning matters not expressly covered by these rules.
The decision of the Jury and organizers regarding eligibility, selection of finalists, final ranking, and awards is final.
We look forward to welcoming ensembles from around the world to the Online Competition ASTOR PIAZZOLLA® and to celebrating the extraordinary music and legacy of Astor Piazzolla.