Henri Marteau International Violin Competition Announces Finalists

Held in Bavaria every third year, the competition is open to violinists under the age of 25

Germany's Henri Marteau International Violin Competition recently named the six young violinists who will progress through to its finals — which will be held on Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, 2023.

Named for the prominent French violinist Henri Marteau, the competition takes place every three years in Bavaria. It is open to violinists of all nationalities who are under the age of 25.

The 2023 finalists are:

• Leon Blekh
• Hawijch Elders
• Teofil Milenkovic
• Tsukushi Sasaki
• Julian Walder
• Xunyue Zhang

In the semifinals, each candidate will present a recital of approximately 60 minutes. Repertoire includes Marteau's Caprice No. 1, the first movement of a Beethoven sonata, one Max Reger prelude, and a virtuoso piece — as well as the commissioned work by the Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye.

In 2023, the jury comprises Gilbert Varga, Michael Frischenschlager, Erika Geldschletzer, Ilya Kaler, Nam Yun Kim, Natalia Lomeiko, Silvia Marcovici, Kurt Saßmannshaus, Alexandra Soumm, and Ingolf Turbam.