International Max-Rostal competition 2024: Talents conquer Berlin!

International Max-Rostal competition 2024: Talents conquer Berlin!

Universität der Künste Berlin, Deutschland - The University of the Arts Berlin (UDK) will organize the international Max Rostal competition for violin and viola from October 19 to 25, 2024. This year, 180 applicants from all over the world, including 23 violists and 21 violinists, will fight for the highest awards. The competition, which has been able to take place since 1991 and has been carried out at the UDK since 2009, aims to promote and support young musicians under the age of 30. The jury, chaired by Prof. David Kindas, evaluates the appearances in two categories: violin and viola, whereby the ratings are made separately.

In this year's competition edition, the participants can expect a demanding structure. In three rounds you will present solo works as well as sonatas with piano and violin concerts by Schumann and Prokofjew as well as viola concerts from Bartók and Walton. A special highlight will be the order work for Viola, “Dertro” by Przemyslaw Pujanek, which is mandatory in the second round. The finalists of the viola category, which will perform on October 24th and 25th with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pavel Baleff, are Brian Isaacs, Marina Kosaka and Kyungsik Shin.

prices and awards

Total prices worth 27,000 euros are awarded at the Max-Rostal competition. The first three winners in both categories can look forward to the following cash prizes:

In addition, prices for the best interpretation of the compulsory piece and an audience award are awarded. The winner of the best interpretation of the order will receive 500 euros, while the audience award is endowed with 1,000 euros. All award winners are also rewarded with high -quality strings from Pirastro.

future competitions and Markneukirchen

A look into the future shows that the next big competition, which promotes young artists, will take place in Markneukirchen in May 2025. 162 young musicians from 36 countries and 4 continents take part in this anniversary competition. This event, which will be held from May 8th to 17th, 2025, also offers an extensive supporting program with concerts, lectures and exhibitions. Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and conductor Christian Thielemann have patronage. The competition forces will be accessible to the public, which is a special event in the music world.

The registrations show impressive diversity, with participants from 36 countries, including China, Germany, Japan and South Korea. The competition thus becomes a global platform for Young Talents that can compete in the competitive atmosphere. In the coming months, the anticipation for the Max-Rostal competition with its prestigious prices and the commitment to the classic music scene will continue to increase.