The Maria Canals contest and the Jesús Serra Foundation once again fill Barcelona's Paseo de Gracia with music

"On 3 July, the 10 grand pianos will return to Barcelona's iconic avenue to mark the start of the 66th edition of the Maria Canals International Competition. "

The Maria Canals International Music Competition and the Fundación Jesús Serra will once again fill Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia with pianos this Saturday, 3 July, from 10 am to 8 pm to mark the beginning of the international competition for young musicians. The Paseo de Gracia Trae Cola event will place 10 grand pianos at different points in the avenue for anyone who wants to play them.

They wil be positioned as follows:

1. Passeig de Gràcia, 6
2. Passeig de Gràcia, 13
3. Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40
4. Passeig de Gràcia, 43
5. Passeig de Gràcia, 59
6. Passeig de Gràcia, 70
7. Passeig de Gràcia, 80
8. Passeig de Gràcia, 91
9. Passeig de Gràcia, 104    
10. The Salvador Espriu Gardens/Jardinets de Gràcia

During the day, visitors, passers-by, amateur and professional musicians who play the 10 pianos and demonstrate their musical ability will be able to obtain invitations for the tests and the final of the competition, which will take place between 3 and 15 July in the Palau de la Música Catalana. To be eligible, they must prove that they have followed the whole circuit by scanning the QR code displayed on each of the instruments. Among these musical gems, there are pianos which are usually to be found in large auditoriums, including a Bösendorfer Imperial, a Yamaha CFIII, and 8 Yamaha C7 and C3 pianos.

The highlights of public participation can be shared and followed on social networks via the hashtags #PianosBCN and #Johitoco.

The event will mark the start of the 66th edition of the Maria Canals Competition, founded in 1954 by pianist and educator Maria Canals y Cendrós, with the aim of ensuring that her students could compare their talent with the best young international pianists. On this occasion, 57 young musicians from 22 different countries will meet at the Palau de la Música Catalana to demonstrate their musical talent. Over 80,000 euros will be awarded in prizes and the Fundación Jesús Serra will be offering the first prize, which amounts to 25,000 euros. 

The Foundation will also help to promote the musical career of the winner of this prestigious competition by sponsoring a national concert tour in major auditoriums in Madrid, Bilbao, Tenerife, Granada and Seville.

Music to break down barriers

The Maria Canals Barcelona Association has been working for years to break down social, cultural and ideological barriers that may hinder participation in musical activities. The “OFF Concurso” informative, educational and social programme promotes playing and enjoying music as essential elements for individual development.

Alongside this project, which has the support of the Association of Friends of Paseo de Gracia, the Fundación Jesús Serra's "¡Me toca!" initiative gives grants each year to more than one hundred children from Barcelona, Seville and Madrid, with the aim of promoting music among young people from vulnerable neighbourhoods.

The Jesús Serra Foundation and the Maria Canals International Music Competition will also bring music to other Spanish locations through the programme “Tu ciudad se llena de pianos” ("Your city is full of pianos"), which will travel to Zaragoza on 17 September, San Sebastián on 24 September and, finally, Madrid on 7 October.