Italy’s International Bottesini Competition Announces 2024 Winners

The South Korean double bassist Siheon Ryu has won first place with a new bass worth €30,000 

Founded in 1989 by Franco Petracchi, the International Bottesini Competition (IBC) is named for the Italian bass player and composer Giovanni Bottesini, who helped elevate the reputation of the bass as a solo instrument. 

The South Korean double bassist Siheon Ryu won first place alongside a Nolli Double Bass crafted by the luthier Marco Nolli worth €30,000. He also won a Bogaro & Clemente bow case and the € 1,000 “Under 25” award. 

Second place went to the German bassist Johann Warzecha, who also received a Bogaro & Clemente bow case, and a Gonon Double Bass made by luthier Richard Gonon worth €20,000. 

Finally, third prize with €3,000 and a Bogaro & Clemente bow case went to Eva Brockhaus, who was doubly awarded the competition’s Special Prize, which came with a double bass bow crafted by the maker Marco Pasquino. 

All three finalists performed Bottesini’s Concerto for Double Bass No. 2 in B Minor with the Orchestra Bottesini and conductor Enrico Fagone. 

The 2024 jury comprised Franco Petracchi, Enrico Fagone, Fabio Vacchi, Gary Karr, Thierry Barbé, Luis Cabrera, Dominique Meyer, and Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE. 

“The sacred fire of tradition that Giovanni Bottesini lit more than 200 years ago continues to warm our hearts and is a balm for our souls,” said Fagone, who is also IBC’s Artistic Director. “I feel the duty to carry on this very important tradition and I hope that the young people after me will continue this mission. To understand who we really are we can only look to the past and ardently preserve the jewels that have come to us, like those left by a great composer like Bottesini.”