Concours International de Piano Chopin Pleyel à Nohant

1st edition of the Chopin Pleyel Competition — 2026

The very first edition of the Chopin Pleyel International Piano Competition in Nohant will be held from August 15 to 23, 2026 at the Frédéric Chopin Auditorium of the George Sand estate, in Nohant-Vic (Indre). Twenty-four pianists selected from around the world will exclusively perform works by Frédéric Chopin, in the very place where the composer stayed and composed alongside George Sand.

The competition is jointly created by the Centre des monuments nationaux, the Nohant Festival Chopin, and Pianos Pleyel, under the direction of pianist Yves Henry, president of the Nohant Festival Chopin. The opening night takes place on Saturday, August 15. The first round will be held on August 16 and 17 (individual recitals), the second round on August 18 and 19, followed by the two-part final on August 21 and 22. The gala concert and awards ceremony will conclude the competition on Sunday, August 23.

Pianist Martha Argerich is the patroness of this inaugural edition, a place dear to her heart where she has performed twice for the festival. An international jury of seven concert artists and pedagogues — Boris Berman, Akiko Ebi, Yves Henry, Ewa Pobłocka, Bruno Rigutto, Rena Shereshevskaya, and Danwen Wei — recognized for their expertise in Chopin's work, will judge the candidates. All rounds, the opening night, and the laureates' concert are open to the public.