Competitions

Banff International String Quartet Competition

Website: http://www.banffcentre.ca/bisqc

Category: Chamber Music
Date: August 30 to September 5, 2010
Country: Canada

Created in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Banff Centre, the competition has been held triennially and dedicated to string quartets. Other than works from the classical, romantic and modern periods, the repertoire includes a new piece especially commissioned for the competition by Canadian composer, Ana Sokolovic. Quartets entering the final will have free choice for the programme. Renowned string players including Erich Höbarth, Joel Krosnick, Louise Hopkins and Tim Vogler are invited to join the jury.

ARD International Music Competition

Website: http://www.br-online.de/br-klassik-english/ard-musikwettbewerb/index.xml

Category: Piano duet, Cello, Flute, Horn
Date: August 22 to September 10, 2010
Country: Germany

The competition, founded in 1952 and taken place annually in Munich, is one of the most important international competitions in Germany for classical music. Disciplines alter every year to include voice, solo instruments and ensembles. This year, it is devoted to horn, cello, flute and piano duet. Past winners include Jessye Norman, Mitsuko Ushida, Christoph Eschenbach, Yuri Bashmet, Heinz Holliger, Natalia Gutman, Thomas Quasthoff just to name a few.

International Violin Competition "Rodolfo Lipizer Prize"

Website: http://www.lipizer.it/

Category: Violin
Date: September 3 to 12, 2010
Country: Italy

Named after the Italian violinist and composer, Rodolfo Lipizer, the competition was established in 1982 and has taken place annually in Gorizia, Lipizer’s native town, located in the northeastern part of Italy. Competitors will perform works by Lipizer and other renowned masters such as Paganini, Beethoven and Brahms. The winner will be given an opportunity to play on Lipizer's violin at the closing ceremony of the finalists’ concert, and also be engaged for other performances. Past winners include Tedi Papavrami, Alexandre Dubach, Roman Simovic, Kristof Barati, Amaury Coeytaux, just to name a few.

International Johannes Brahms Competition

Website: http://www.brahmscompetition.org/

Category: Piano, Chamber music, Violin, Viola, Cello, Voice
Date: September 5 to 12, 2010
Country: Austria

Named after one of the leading pianists and composers, Johannes Brahms, the annual competition has taken place since 1984 in Pörtschach, a town located on a beautiful lake where Brahms spent summer months and wrote some of his most important pieces. It aims to promote classical music and culture in the region, and welcomes participantsof all ages. Marks are given immediately after each performance and in full view of the public, the Competition is proud of the transparency and fairness of the judgement. The repertoire includes works by Brahms and other famous composers such as Bach, Chopin, Mozart and Haydn. Past winners include Kristaps Bergs, Miroslav Sekera, Milan Karanovic, Alexander Akimov, Giampaolo Stuani and Lea Birringer.