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Open to violists under the age of 30, this year’s competition offers a top prize of CHF20,000 with a jury chaired by star violist Tabea Zimmermann. Find out how to apply here
Applications are now open for the 79th Concours de Genève, the live rounds of which will be held from 6 to 12 November 2025.
Violists born after 12 November 1995 are eligible to apply for the competition, with entries closing on 10 April 2025. Applicants must prepare a video audition of 20-30 minutes, comprising one baroque piece and a virtuoso etude from a prescribed list, plus one piece with piano of the candidate’s choice.
40 selected candidates will then be asked to produce a video recital, which will be broadcast online from 8 to 14 September. From this, the semi-finalists will be chosen for a three-part round, comprising a 50-60 minute solo recital, a chamber music recital, plus presentation of a personal artistic project.
Three finalists will be chosen to perform with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the compulsory concerto by L. Albisetti Nouvel Élan, which won first prize at the 2024 Composition Competition, plus a chosen concerto from a prescribed list of repertoire.
The first prizewinner will receive CHF20,000 (£17,600), with second and third place receiving CHF12,000 (£10,500) and CHF8,000 (£7,050) respectively. A host of special prizes, endowed with cash and concert engagements, are also up for grabs, including the Audience Prize, Students’ Prize, the Rose-Marie Huguenin Prize, Arts Society Prize, Concerts de Jussy Prize and Hindemith Prize.
Tabea Zimmermann, who won first prize at the 1982 Concours de Genève, returns to head the international jury, which comprises Tomoko Akasaka, Ettore Causa, Hsin-Yun Huang, Cynthia Phelps, Jean Sulem and German Tcakulov.
Entries close 10 April - click here to find out more and apply.
Listen to Tabea Zimmermann perform Enescu Concert Piece for Viola and Piano at the semi-finals of the 1982 Concours de Genève:
Read: Technique: Creating core in your viola sound
Read: Postcard from Switzerland: Concours de Genève String Quartet edition
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