site.btaNew International Competition Brings Together Young Violinists in Sofia

Sofia will host a new music competition, which will bring together young violinists from Europe and the world between May 9 and May 11, the organizers Cantus Firmus said.

Violinists up to the age of 30 from all countries and nationalities can participate in the competition. After four successful editions of their national competition for young instrumentalists in Bulgaria, Cantus Firmus  isopening the stage for international participants for the first time. This first international edition will feature distinguished musicians and teachers on the jury, commented Vasil Dimitrov, executive director of Cantus Firmus.

The performances of the young talents will be evaluated by masters of the violin art such as Prof. Mario Hossen (chairman of the jury), Prof. Michael Frischenschlager (Austria), Prof. Pavel Vernikov (Ukraine), Prof. Ruta Lipinaityte-Savickiene (Lithuania), Prof. Joanna Kamenarska (Bulgaria) and Prof. Philip Draganov (Switzerland). Each of them combines solo performances and teaching work in their professional careers.

The competition regulations are drawn up in accordance with the most renowned music competitions in the world, explained Cantus Firmus. After a preliminary selection based on video recordings, 20 violinists will be selected to perform in front of the jury. The repertoire of the in-person tours will include virtuoso solo pieces, sonatas and concertos from various musical styles. Only three violinists will be admitted to the final stage of the competition, and will participate in a gala concert with the Camerata Orphica NBU orchestra. One of the mandatory works in this final round will be a new musical piece created especially for the competition by composer Georgi Arnaudov.

The winners will receive cash prizes, as well as further stage appearances, one of which is a solo concert with the Cantus Firmus Orchestra at the European Music Festival in 2026. For the first time, the organizing team will work in partnership with the Geza Anda International Piano Competition in Switzerland, with one of the awards for young violinists providing for joint concerts in Bulgaria and Switzerland by laureates from both competitions.