Application Deadline Extended for "Violins&Soul" Salon Music Violin Competition

Open to artists aged between 15 and 30 years old, the competition's application deadline is now April 2, 2023

Held annually, AMADEUS Festival Vienna brings together international musicians at the grounds of the AMADEUS International School Vienna for a series of performances and workshops. The festival has recently launched a competition that focuses solely on the genre of salon music.

The first of its kind, the inaugural Salon Music Violin Competition "Violins&Soul” will reward young musicians for their best interpretation of the then-popular European music genre from the 19th century.

"We've been asking ourselves: why is this music, which used to and continues to touch all of us, losing its presence in the very places where it used to move societies?" the competition's founders told The Violin Channel in a recent interview. "It provides rich nutrients for the soul, yet its gradually losing importance in our musical lives.

Open to artists aged between 15 and 30 years old, the competition's application deadline is April 2, 2023. To apply, click here.

The grand prize of 5,000 Euros will also include the two-year loan of the 1709 Antonio Stradivari violin from the Goh Family Collection.

The second prize of 3,000 Euros and the third prize of 1,000 Euros, may also include the loan of a violin from the Goh Family Collection at the discretion jury. The public prize, chosen by the festival's live audience, will include 500 Euros.

All prize winners will be required to perform at the AMADEUS Festival Vienna 2024 and may also receive performance opportunities organized by the festival.

To apply, candidates must submit pieces of contrasting styles with or without piano accompaniment, under the genre of salon music for solo violin. The total performance must be at least 40 minutes but not more than 60 minutes and include the following pieces:

1) Preludium & Allegro in the style of Pugnani by Fritz Kreisler 

2) Estrellita by Manuel Ponce 

Selected candidates will be informed by email and invited to a personal interview with Mrs. Karen Goh and Dr. Wilson Goh.

The chosen finalists will be invited to the competition Finals, taking place at the AMADEUS Festival Vienna on July 2, 2023.

Additionally, all finalists will be required to attend the Janoska Ensemble Workshop on June 29 and 30, 2023, and will then perform with the Janoska Ensemble at a concert on June 30, 2023.

"Souls of great artists must meet and collaborate," the founders said. "The Janoska Ensemble is a group of genius musicians, particularly in improvisation. Salon Music of yesteryears is about improvisation too."

Finalists will also receive full festival passes to the AMADEUS Festival 2023. Finalists will receive free accommodation at the first-class Boarding House of AMADEUS International School Vienna (breakfast included).

The jury of the competition is to include Mrs. Karen Goh, Director of AMADEUS Festival Vienna, Mr. Brendan Goh, Artistic Director of AMADEUS Festival Vienna, and Dr. Wilson Goh.

For more information, visit www.amadeusfestival.com and contact [email protected] with any questions.