Tibor Varga Competition: 20% increase in participation for 2023
The Tibor Varga International Violin Competition is on a roll. With 149 registrations, it has recorded a new increase in participation of 20% compared to the last edition (124 registrations in 2021). Proof, if any were needed, that it has become an unmissable event for talented young violinists from around the world. Only 25 candidates have been selected to take part in the public rounds, which will be held in Sion from 26 August to 2 September 2023 before an international jury chaired by Augustin Dumay. Seven prizes will be awarded.
The jury selected 25 young violinists on video, of whom 11 are from Asia/Oceania, 12 from Europe and 2 from America. The youngest candidate is only 14 years old, while the average age is around 21. Three Swiss are among the selected candidates.
(updated 08.08.2023)
Selected candidates are:
(updated 08.08.2023)
- Al-Saghir Léa, 23, Swiss
- Arai Rio, 24, Japanese
- Coppey Emmanuel, 23, French
- Fukuda Rennosuke, 23, Japanese
- Gogibedaschwili Elisso, 23, Austrian
- Hirano Yuki, 19, Japanese
- Im Anna, 25, South Korean
- Jégou-Sageman Sarah, 25, French
- Kim Seohyun, 14, South Korean
- Kurasawa Mahiro, 20, Japanese
- Lakisova Masha (Maria), 21, American
- Meinrenken Emma, 23, Canadian
- Ménétrier Alcide, 22, French
- Nussbaumer Raphael, 17, Swiss
- Oberhofer Muriel, 22, Swiss
- Raviol Isabelle, 17, German
- Saito Aoi, 25, Japanese
- Schiffner Felicitas, 25, German
- Tóth Kristóf, 23, Hungarian
- Wang Sophie, 23, Taiwanese
- Weissbecker Alexandra, 21, German
- Weng Qingzhu, 21, Chinese
- Yang Tien-Lin, 21, Taiwanese
- Zamponi Yume, 17, Italian
- Zou Zhang, 20, Chinese
The next step for all these young people will be the first round on 26 and 27 August. Those who have made it through this stage will then compete in the second round on 28 and 29 August. Finally, on 31 August and 2 September, the lucky ones will take part in the final in two parts – one for chamber music and the other with orchestra. All rounds of the Competition will also be livestreamed on our website. Both finals will be broadcast live by the regional television channel Canal 9.
>> Buy now your ticket for the 1st final
>> Buy now your ticket for the 2nd final
The Jury
The Jury will be composed of renowned soloists and teachers: Augustin Dumay (France), President, James Brown (England), Stella Chen (USA), Mihaela Martin (Romania), Natsumi Tamai (Japan), Ingolf Turban (Germany), and Pavel Vernikov (Ukraine – Israel). Alexander Chaushian, cellist (Armenia) and Ashley Wass, pianist (England) will join the jury for the final and will play in trio with the finalists in the chamber music round.
Seven prizes
Seven prizes are at stake: a First, Second and Third Prize, an Audience Prize, a Youth Jury Prize, an Over 20s Jury Prize and a Prize for the Best Performance of the compulsory work, a creation commissioned from the Italian composer Olivia Colasanti.
Youth Jury and Over 20s Jury
Music lovers and amateur musicians will also have their say with a Youth Jury and An Over 20s Jury. The first will be made up of scolars from the Conservatoire Cantonal du Valais who, coached by teachers, will attend the second round and then the two finals. Introduced last year during the Tibor Junior International Violin Competition, the second will be open to anyone interested. Accompanied by musicologist Marie Favre, they will learn how to evaluate a musical interpretation during a workshop and will attend the second round as well as the finals.