10 grand pianos installed in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia to promote the 2013 Maria Canals Competition

Barcelona (CNA.) - The 59^th edition of the Maria Canals International Music Competition is being held from the 7^th to the 22^nd of March in Barcelona, with the participation of 91 pianists from 26 countries. One of the great new features this year was the 10 grand pianos that were set up in the middle of the street, on Passeig de Gracia boulevard on last Saturday, which were available for free to those who wanted to play. The competition program also includes various activities and concerts to be held at the Palau de la Musica Catalana and other emblematic spots in  Barcelona. 130 free musical concerts will be offered in 30 different locations.

Between the 7^th and the 22^nd of March, sixteen cultural centres in Barcelona, ??the Picasso Museum, the MACBA, the MNAC and the Auditori Concert Hall will set up a grand piano at the entrance to their facilities so that everyone can play. In addition, another grand piano will be installed in the subway hub at the Diagonal stop from the 7^th to the 18^th of March being available throughout the day for those who want to try it. There will also be performances by young pianists, workshop musicians and music schools.

What is the Maria Canals Competition?

The Maria Canals International Music Competition is a cultural project with the participation of over a hundred young performers from around the world. It was founded in 1954 by the Catalan musician Maria Canals and her husband, Rossend Latin, along with other leading figures of Catalan society. It is currently one of the most traditional competitions organised in Barcelona for piano, violin, cello, guitar, chamber music, flute, percussion and singing. In addition, it is one of the most prestigious piano competitions at world level.

This year, the competition will pay more than 80,000 euros in prize money. The first award, the Barcelona prize, ??has a value of 20,000 euros, while the second is 10,000 euros and the third prize of 6,000 euros. Finalists will also receive a prize of 1,000 euros. “This year, even though these are difficult times, we were able to maintain the economic level of recent years, and have a budget of 320,000 euros,” said the president of the competition, Mariona Carulla.