Didier Schnorhk on the Upcoming Concours de Genève

The string quartet edition of the 77th Concours de Genève will take place from October 23 - November 4, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland

Founded in 1939, Concours de Genève is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting, and supporting young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career. Several main disciplines rotate annually, including piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, viola, string quartet, voice, percussion, and composition, which is held every second year.

As the official media and broadcast partner, all rounds of this year's string quartet competition will be streamed on The Violin Channel and be available for playback.

We sat down with Secretary General, Didier Schnorhk, to learn more about the competition.

What does it mean to you to be leading such a prestigious competition?

I've been at the helm of the Concours de Genève for over twenty years now. In other words, this work is at the heart of my life. I could never have dreamt of a job as demanding and exciting as that of managing an internationally renowned musical institution. It is a privilege and an honour. And of course a lot of responsibility!

What are you most looking forward to at the competition this year? How will it differ from the last String Quartet Competition?

I'm really looking forward to seeing whether we face the same contrast as last time: a ‘classic and polished' interpretation versus a ‘committed and somewhat furious' interpretation. In 2016, this was really at the heart of the string quartet competition. 

What's more, this year we've lightened the final programme considerably, giving the finalists complete freedom of choice.

Can you tell us about the Personal Artistic Project, which has been part of the semi-finals since last year?

We want to give the jury a more in-depth understanding of the personalities they are being asked to judge. 

The semi-finalists express themselves in two separate rounds and also present a personal project: a good way of getting to know these young artists. 

What's more, we really believe that, these days, an international career is built on projects and personal proposals that can be put forward to promoters.

During the two years following their prize, the Concours de Genève offers laureates an ambitious Career Development Programme in partnership with the concert agency Sartory Artists. How do you think this will help a young quartet’s career?

We've had this programme for many years and we've seen the many benefits for the young winners, so it has been proven that this will indeed help them. 

We have regular contact with numerous festivals in Switzerland, France, Italy and Germany, and over the years, we have organised a number of tours in Asia and America. 

What's more, the fact that the Competition is multidisciplinary means that we can encourage fruitful encounters between young artists. And it works!

What are you looking for in this year’s winners?

Our aim is always the same: to find exceptional artists. This means artists who are capable of grabbing an audience and taking them into their world, transmitting strong emotions and feelings.

What advice would you give to the ensembles competing this fall?

Dare to show who you are and follow through on your intentions. The jury always appreciates risk-taking!

From your experience as a cellist and Secretary General of the Conours de Genève, what do you think are the necessary steps to developing a successful career as a string quartet?

There are a lot of young quartets today and many really interesting ones. So the competition is fierce.

Above all, the young players have to realise that to emerge successfully, they have to be at the highest possible level. The technical level of each of their members (we've become very demanding…), and an overall level as an ensemble, by working tirelessly on group harmony, accuracy, common intentions, etc. And finally, once again, knowing why you make music, what message you're trying to convey, and what emotions you want to provoke. We don't want lukewarm artists… we need the best!