Tibor Varga Competition: another rise in participation in 2025
The success of the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition continues to grow. After a jump of 20% in 2023, participation has increased again this year, 160 young prodigies from all over the world have registered, representing a 16% rise on the previous edition (149 registrations in 2023). Only 28 candidates have been selected to take part in the public rounds, which will be held in Sion from 22 to 30 August 2025, first at the Pôle Musique and then in the new hall NODA BCVS. The international Jury will be chaired by Pavel Vernikov. Six prizes will be awarded, worth a total of almost CHF 40’000.
The Preselection Jury selected 28 young violinists on video, 14 from Europe, 11 from Asia/Oceania and 3 from America. The youngest candidate is 17, with an average age of 23. “Due to the high participation and the exceptional level of all these young violinists, six additional candidates have been admitted to the waiting list”, explains Pavel Vernikov.
The selected candidates are :
- Bonhomme Aymeric, 25
- Coman Iohan, 23
- Fawcett John, 24
- Freytag Helene, 19
- Hatch Alexis, 22
- Lee Daisy, 26
- Lovell-Jones Charlie, 26
- Lundina Maria, 24
- Meipariani Elene, 27
- Miecznikowski Veronika, 24
- Mundiya Hana, 27
- Okubo Yukiko, 21
- Owaki Naoko, 22
- Park Audrey, 22
- Park Boogyeom (Bobby), 19
- Perig Vadym, 19
- SATO Reika 26
- Sekine Lisa-Maria, 29
- SHEN ZIXUAN, 23 years
- Shimada Mitsuhiro, 25
- Son Hyukjun, 22
- Spadino Pippa Simone, 24
- Ter-Sarkisova Eva, 21
- Tóth Kristóf, 25
- Tsao Yu-Ching, 19
- Weissbecker Alexandra, 23
- Zhang Aozhe, 17
- Zhang Xunyue, 21
The chosen few will compete in the first round on 23 and 24 August, which will focus on the solo violin repertoire. The 12 selected candidates will compete in the second round, scheduled for 25 and 26 August, directing their efforts towards the piano sonata. On 28 August at Noda BCVS, a decisive chamber music third round awaits the six remaining candidates, who will be in dialogue with three established musicians: the soprano Ekaterina Shelehova, the cellist Thomas Grossenbacher and the pianist Adrian Oetiker.
The final on 30 August at Noda BCVS promises to be an exceptional evening. The three finalists will each perform one of the greatest violin concertos, accompanied by the South Czech Philharmonic and wind players from prestigious Italian orchestras conducted by Valentin Uryupin. All the rounds will be video-streamed. The final will be recorded by the television Canal 9 and broadcast later.
Competition dates
- August 22, 4pm: draw, FREE ENTRY – Pôle Musique – Aula FXB
- August 23 and August 24: 1st round, 28 candidates, FREE ENTRY – Pôle Musique – Aula FXB
- August 25 and 26: 2nd round, 12 candidates, FREE ENTRY – Pôle Musique – Aula FXB
- August 28, 7:30pm: 3rd round, 6 candidates accompanied by Ekaterina Shelehova (soprano), Thomas Grossenbacher (cello) and Adrian Oetiker (piano) – Grande salle, NODA BCVS
- August 30, 7:30 pm: Final, 3 finalists accompanied by the South Czech Philharmonic and winds from prestigious Italian orchestras (conductor: Valentin Uryupin) – Grand Hall, NODA BCVS
>> Buy your ticket for Round 3 now!
>> Buy your ticket for the final now!
An international jury
- Pavel Vernikov, President
- Monika Baer
- Ariadne Daskalakis
- Thomas Grossenbacher
- Sunny Lee
- Fumiaki Miura
- Adrian Oetiker
- Lucie Robert
- Anton Sorokow
Six prizes
- First Prize: CHF 20,000
- Second Prize: CHF 10,000
- Third Prize: CHF 5,000
- Tibor Varga” Prize: best interpretation of Shin Kim’s creation, commissioned for the 2025 Competition: CHF 3,000
- Youth Jury Prize: CHF 500
- Audience Prize: CHF 500
Young Jury
Young amateur musicians will also have their say, with a Youth Jury made up of students from the Conservatoire Cantonal du Valais, coached by Nadia Rigolet.