EUFSC announces Chamber Classic International Competition in Israel

The inaugural edition of the Chamber Classic International Competition will take place in Tel Aviv, Israel, from 23 May to 1 June 2022. It will be a project of great importance, organised by the European Foundation for Support of Culture (EUFSC), led by its President Konstantin Ishkhanov.

The distinguished string players invited to be part of the board are: Sonia Simmenauer (Germany), chair of the jury and founder of string quartet agency Impreseriat Simmenauer; violinist Sergei Bresler (Israel), founding member of the Jerusalem Quartet; violinist Karen Shahgaldyan (Russia/Armenia), performer at some of the world’s most esteemed venues; and cellist Raphael Wallfisch (UK), winner of the Gaspar Cassado International Cello Competition and founding member of Trio Shaham Erez Wallfisch. 

’Israel has a proven artistic legacy, with musicians travelling here from all over the world to express their music to audiences and share their main passion’, said Artistic Director of Chamber Classic, Dmitry Yablonsky. 

The prestigious jury comprises: pianist Chia Chou (Canada), bronze medal winner at the 1987 Queen Elisabeth Competition; pianist Vincent Coq (France), founder of Trio Wanderer; Pavel Gililov (Germany/Austria), winner of the Moscow National Piano Competition and International Warsaw Chopin Competition laureate; pianist Joseph Paratore (US), international juror and winner of the Munich ARD International Music Competition; pianist and pedagogue Tomer Lev (Israel), founder member and first director of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music; and conductor Conrad van Alphen (Netherlands), chief conductor and artistic director of Sinfonia Rotterdam. 

To participate, there is a total fee of €150. The only entry restriction is the combined age of the members, which must not exceed 120 years as of 23 May 2022. 

The total prize fund is €60,000 divided as followed between the top three participants: €30,000 (1st); €15,000 (2nd); €9,000 (3rd) and a special prize for the best performance of a Maltese composition (€6,000). 

The competition is divided into three rounds and contestants will have to choose between some of the greatest classical music pieces. During the second round, pianists will perform Seven Pieces for Piano Trio by Composer-In-Residence Alexey Shor. 

EUFSC president Konstantin Ishkhanov said: ‘I can’t wait to welcome all the participants and jury members to Tel Aviv for this prestigious competition. Israel is a country full of history and culture and I’m sure that it will represent the perfect place to inaugurate this prestigious project. Chamber Classics represent another incredible opportunity to continue our support towards culture and arts all around the world. I am glad to see classical music talents compete with each other with great enthusiasm, always led by their love for classical music. I’m honoured to announce this project and I look forward to enjoying every moment within a unique atmosphere.’

Please visit the competition’s official website for further information.