Archives-Directors-Jury

Wolfgang Manz •
2019-2024

made his studies with Drahomir Toman and Karl-Heinz Kämmerling and is prizewinner of international competitions such as Leeds (1981, 2nd prize) and Brussels (Concours Reine Elisabeth 1983, 2nd prize). He has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, RSO Berlin and the Staatskapelle Dresden. Together with Rolf Plagge he has established the piano duo “Duo Reine Elisabeth” and made recordings for the labels Arte Nova, Chandos, Thorofon and Telos. From 2000 he is professor at the University of Music of Nürnberg, 2015-2017 he was vice president of this institution. Many of his students got prizes at international competitions such as Leeds, Hongkong, Cleveland and Valencia. Wolfgang Manz served as Artistic Director from 2019-2024.

Robert Benz •
2005-2018

received his first piano lessons from his father at the age of four. He studied under Naoyuki Taneda at the University of Music in Karlsruhe (Germany), as well as under Rosina Lhevinne and Martin Canin at the Juilliard School in New York. He won first prize at both the International Busoni Competition in Bolzano (Italy) in 1974 and in 1976 at the International Liszt-Bartók Competition in Budapest (Hungary). Concert engagements took him throughout Europe, the USA, Korea and Japan. Robert Benz recorded the complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas on CD and has been the Trio Bamberg’s pianist since 1996. He also held the chair of Professor for Piano at the University of Music in Mannheim (Germany) from 1990-2019. He was artistic director from 2005-2018. In 2026 he will serve again as Jury President.

Naoyuki Taneda •
1988-2004

originated from Kyoto (Japan.) After studying in Tokyo and Vienna he held the chair of Professor for Piano at the State Academy of Music in Karlsruhe (Germany) since 1967. From 1994 until 1999 he taught at the Kyoto City University of Arts (Japan) and then at the Shobi University (Japan). He has made a name for himself through concerts, lectures and seminars both in Germany and abroad and moreover through numerous prizewinners at international competitions who have been emerging from his school for years. Naoyuki Taneda was the artistic director of the International Competition for Young Pianists in Ettlingen from its beginning in 1988 to 2004. Naoyuki Taneda passed away in February 2011.

Frank Reich •
1990-2026

had his first piano lessons with Inge Wiechmann. Studies under Naoyuki Taneda at the University of Music Karlsruhe (Germany). Postgraduate studies at the University of Music Cologne (Germany) and under Helena Costa in Porto/Portugal. 1. Prize at the National German Competition "Jugend musiziert" in 1980. Scholar of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (German National Academic Foundation). Teaching: 1986-1993 Ettlingen School of Music, 1993-2015 Badisches Konservatorium Karlsruhe (since 1995 head of keyboard dept.), 2011-2013 Suwon-University Seoul/South Korea, 2014 Minzu-University of Beijing/P. R. China and Shenzhen Arts School, Shenzhen/P. R. China, since 2014 Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, Bangkok/Thailand and since 2016 Sungshin Women's University, Seoul/Rep. Korea. 1998-2012 board member, vice-president and president of the European Union of Music Competition for Youth (EMCY). Managing Director of the Ettlingen Competition 1990-October 2026.

Norbert Karle • 1988

Studies at the University of Music Karlsruhe (Germany) in the subjects piano, music theory, voice and conducting. Postgraduate studies in musicology at the University of Heidelberg. Collaboration at the edition of the complete liturgical works of court music director Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer. Working as privat tutor and regular performances with his Ettlingen Chamber Ensemble. Since 1979 teacher for piano and music theory at Ettlingen School of Music and head of the department of piano and music theory. Since 1982 vice director of the Ettlingen School of Music. Cultivating close contacts with Ettlingen twin cities Epernay (France) and Gatchina (Russia). After extensive preparation he became Managing Director of the first Ettlingen Competition in 1988. Norbert Karle passed away in April 2010.

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Internationaler Klavierwettbewerb
c/o Musikschule
Pforzheimer Str. 25
76275 Ettlingen • Deutschland

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