Web broadcasts will replace the first two rounds, with the semi-finals and finals still expected to take place in person

Due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus, the Geneva International Music Competition (GIMC) has moved its first two rounds online. The competition, this year for cellists and oboists, will merge its first two rounds into a single 45-minute online recital to be broadcast in September. According to the GIMC, this will help to ensure higher safety standards by reducing the number of candidates required to travel to Switzerland.  

The list of candidates selected for the online recital will be released on 4 June. Candidates will then have until 15 August to submit video recordings and will be given CHF500 (£400) to make sure these recordings comply with the competition’s technical specifications. The results of this stage will be announced on 20 September.  

Read István Várdai on winning competitions and beyond

Read Vision String Quartet wins Geneva Competition

Read Violist Tabea Zimmermann on the pressure of competitions 

The later stages of the cello and oboe competitions will take place as previously announced, with the cello semi-final on 23 and 24 October and the cello final, where candidates will perform with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, on 28 October. 

A jury chaired by Ivan Monighetti and comprisng Thomas Demenga, Michaela Fukačová, Ophélie Gaillard, Qin Li-Wei and Shauna Rolston will decide which candidates recieve the competition’s prizes, worth CHF20,000 (£15,600), CHF12,000 (£9,400) and CHF8,000 (£6,300). 

Candidates have until 30 April to apply, and application fees have been reduced from CHF250 (£200) to CHF150 (£120). 

Topics