The Competition was created by Jan J. Bistritzky; it was inaugurated in 1973 and is presented triennially to honour the memory of Maestro Arthur Rubinstein and to preserve the heritage of the great art of the piano.

Conceived in the spirit of the Maestro, the Competition is committed to attaining standards of the highest order and is a valid international forum for presenting talented, interpretative, aspiring young pianists and fostering their artistic careers.

In determining the highly demanding criteria for this stimulating musical confrontation, the organizers were inspired by Arthur Rubinstein’s personal approach to the art of the piano.

The task of the international jury is to select competitors of above average concert standard and a mature intellectual and emotional response to music.

The Arthur Rubinstein Award and other Prizes are presented to young master pianists whose talents combine to reveal outstanding musicianship and the ability to render versatile, artistically convincing interpretations of works, ranging from the pre-classical to the contemporary.

The Competition is a vital element of our Society's input into the world of music, and the combined force of all our friends across the world - the countless devotees of classical music, the great Maestro's admirers, our official authorities and the community at large - would help to ensure the continuity of our treasured cultural asset.

Bearing the original portraits of ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN drawn by PABLO PICASSO, these medals are dedicated to the great Maestro and are engraved with his facsimile signature and with the emblem of the State of Israel.

Especially struck for the Competition by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, they are individually numbered on the rim.

Limited edition - 22 carat gold - diameter 35mm - 30 gr.

In accordance with Arthur Rubinstein's wishes, ALL PROCEEDS from the presentation of these medals are donated to the INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FUND. Individuals or legal entities who contribute to the Fund in the form of a gift or subvention, and artists who donate their services for the benefit of the Fund, will be presented with one of these gold medals and will also be listed among the members of the International Founders and Sponsors Committee.

	

							          Tel-Aviv
							          12th April, 1976.

	Mr. J. Bistritzky,
	Director,
	The Arthur Rubinstein
	International Piano Master Competition



	Dear Mr. Bistritzky,

	In view of the success of the First Competition and its undoubted artistic standard,
	I was happy to learn that arrangements are well in hand for the Second Master Contest,
	to take place in April 1977.
	I am particularly grateful that the Competition activities continue to be
	self-supporting and that they are not a burden on the Israel Government.

	I supported your initiative for a world-wide fund-raising project through the
	issue of a Commemorative Gold Medal of artistic and numismatic value - such as
	would appeal to friends of the Competition who wish to assist in the cultural
	development of the State of Israel.
	To this end I entrusted you with sketches of me drawn by my friend, Picasso,
	and with my facsimile signature, giving you the sole rights to use them and to
	receive any royalties accruing therefrom for the purpose of creating the
	International Competition Fund.





						Yours sincerely,