Classical Music News

Premio Paganini Violin Competition Announces Admitted Candidates

February 25, 2025

4 MIN READ

107 violinists were admitted to this year's competition, happening from October 15-16, 2025, in Genoa, Italy

The 58th “Premio Paganini” International Violin Competition, is open to candidates of any nationality aged between 15 and 30. The competition will see young artists play a challenging list of repertoire that includes chamber music and an emphasis on communication with the audience.

The admitted candidates have today been announced. See the full list below!

Eight candidates will gain direct access to the Competition in Genoa, bypassing the pre-selection stage due to their prior successes in competitions of the Geneva International Federation (WFIMC). They are:

Mariam Abouzahra
Sara Dragan
Jenny Jin Yeyeong
Lorenz Karls
Seo Kim Hyun
Jinzhu Li
Tianyou Ma
Dongyoung Jake Shim

Artistic Director Nicola Bruzzo told The Violin Channel, “I am very pleased not only with the number of applicants but especially with the truly high quality of the submissions, despite a more complex test structure compared to previous editions. The next winner of the Premio will need to demonstrate diverse skills: Paganinian virtuosity, chamber music sensitivity, and the ability to share their musical vision with the audience. The 58th edition is off to a great start. I would like to thank the jury who will work with me during the pre-selections and all those involved in various capacities, starting with the relevant Italian Cultural Institutes.”

Between April and May, the preselection phase will take place through live auditions in Genoa, Guangzhou, Seoul, New York, and Berlin. Candidates will play two Caprices by Niccolò Paganini, one movement from the Sonatas and Partitas by Johann Sebastian Bach, and the first movement from the Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574 "Grand Duo" by Franz Schubert.

Only 24 violinists will be admitted to the first round (preliminary stage) on October 15-16, 2025, in Genoa, where candidates will perform in front of the jury — which is chaired by Uto Ughi and composed of Ana Chumachenco, Pavel Berman, Pamela Frank, Mihaela Martin, Enzo Restagno, and Sayaka Shoji.

Six competitors will perform in the final round which will be held on October 25, with the Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice, recently starring in a USA tour.

The first prize winner will receive €30.000, a series of engagements at many prestigious concert venues both national and international, and, for the first time, a recording contract with the Platoon label.

The winner will also have the opportunity to play Paganini's 1743 Guarneri del Gesù violin “Cannone” in a gala concert on October 26, 2025.

The Premio Paganini, whose first edition took place 70 years ago, is hosting concerts at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, Museo del Prado in Madrid, The Guildhall in London including a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Antonio Pappano, and former winner Simon Zhu who played the legendary "Cannone" violin in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III.

The 2025 admitted candidates are: