Markneukirchen - International Instrumental Competition

From 8 to 17 May 2025, the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition is once again inviting young musicians from all over the world to the town of music for its 60th edition. With the violin category, the high-calibre competition is returning to its origins for the anniversary, as its roots lie in a violin competition that was launched back in the 1950s. The second discipline on the programme is viola.

The one-day national competition has developed into a highly respected international competition, which will also be held over four rounds in 2025, including an orchestral final. Attractive cash prizes totalling 31,000 euros as well as concert engagements and special prizes await the best performers.

As in previous years, the chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann, has once again taken over the patronage for 2025. The presidency is in the hands of Prof Julius Berger. He presides over a high-calibre international jury chaired by Prof. Paul Roczek (violin) and Prof. Barbara Westphal (viola).

All information on the competition programme, the repertoire of both subjects and other conditions can be found on the competition website https://instrumental-competition.de. Online registration will also be available at the same location. The application deadline is 31 January 2025.

The competition will open on Friday, 9 May 2025 in the Markneukirchen Music Hall with a concert by the Markneukirchen Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Matthias Spindler. A prizewinner of the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition is planned as the evening's soloist. In the days that follow, guests can look forward to an attractive supporting programme with demonstrations of instrument making, exhibitions of musical instruments, open days and further concerts.

The highlight and finale of the competition in 2025 will once again be the prizewinners' concert with the best violin and viola winners on Saturday 17 May 2025 at 7 p.m. in the Markneukirchen Music Hall.

Both works will also be on the programme in the final rounds on 15 May (viola) and 16 May (violin). The accompaniment will be provided by the Clara Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra Plauen/Zwickau. The other prizewinners will demonstrate their skills once again in the prizewinners' concert with the most outstanding interpretations from their competition programme.