From 11-23 March Barcelona will be transformed into the world capital for pianists with the 64th edition of the Maria Canals International Music Competition, which 93 talented young pianists are participating in. The participants are aged between 18 and 29 and come from 34 different countries. The three finalists will play the piano accompanied by the Orquestra Nacional de Catalunya (JONC) in the grand final which will be celebrated on 22 March from 8pm at the Palau de la Música Catalana de Barcelona.

During the competition different activities have been scheduled to bring music closer to the public, such as ‘Tu hi toques?’ (Do you play?) #johitoco’ distributing 100 grand pianos throughout the city, inviting anybody who wants to, to play the piano. Two exhibitions have also been organised: ‘Muzio Clementi, The father of the pianoforte’, which can be visited at the Foyer del Palau de la Música; and an exhibition in commemoration of Josep Guinovart.