Classical Music News

Prizes Awarded at 78th Concours de Genève Composition Edition

October 20, 2024

3 MIN READ

Composers Léo Albisetti and Caio de Azevedo have been awarded first prize ex-aequo for their compositions for viola and orchestra

In 2024, the 78th Concours de Genève is dedicated to Composition and Voice. Held in Geneva, Switzerland from October 15–22, 2024, the biennial Composition Competition was open to candidates born after October 20, 1984. The entire competition is being streamed LIVE on The Violin Channel.

The final composition round has come to an end with three world premieres performed by the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, conductor Pierre Bleuse, and viola soloists Lise Berthaud, Georgy Kovalev and Adrien La Marca.

Léo Albisetti (27) from Switzerland and Caio de Azevedo (30) from Brazil have been awarded first prize ex-aequo for their compositions for viola and orchestra — entitled "Nouvel Elan" and “Marionettes” respectively. They will each receive CHF 15,000.

Born in Switzerland in 1997, Léo Albisetti began his musical training on the piano. At the age of 19, he entered the composition class of Michael Jarrell, Luis Naón, Eric Daubresse, and Gilbert Nouno at the Haute école de Musique de Genève. He obtained a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in mixed composition. He composes mainly for chamber ensembles, but also orchestras, wind bands, electronics, and theatre.

A Brazilian composer based in Germany, Caio de Azevedo's compositions have been performed by ensembles such as the MIVOS Quartet, the Ensemble Recherche, and the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie. Notable works include the Music Theater piece "Finita" (2018) and the three-act ballet for orchestra "Macbeth" (2019). He holds a Master's degree in composition from the Musikhochschule München, where he studied with Moritz Eggert. In 2023, he was a resident at the Cité des Arts in Paris.

Third prize and CHF 5,000 was given to Sang-Min Ryu (24) from South Korea for his work “The past recaptured.”

In addition to the official prizes, laureates benefit from two years of services from the concert agency Sartory Artists, partner agency of the Concours de Genève. This includes career management, personal coaching, and multiple concerts, enabling them to take their first steps on the Swiss and international music scenes.

The winning compositions have been selected as a compulsory piece for the Semi-Finals of the Concours de Genève Viola Competition 2025, chaired by world-renowned violist Tabea Zimmermann, winner of the Concours de Genève in 1982.

The special prizes were awarded to:

Audience Prize (CHF 1,500): Léo Albisetti
Young Audience Prize (CHF 1,000): Léo Albisetti
- This project brings together music students, but also students from local public and private schools
Students Prize (CHF 1,000): Léo Albisetti
- Decided by music students from the Haute École de Musique de Genève and musicology students from the University of Geneva together into the same jury
Nicati-De Luze Special Prize (CHF 3,000): Sang-Min Ryu
- Consists of one commissioned piece, for chamber music or ensemble, to be performed two times in concert

Chaired by Pascal Dusapin, the jury comprised Milica Djordjević, Francesco Filidei, Hector Parrà, and Francesca Verunelli.

"Through their work, they have demonstrated an already accomplished mastery of writing, discourse and orchestration,” said Secretary General, Didier Schnorhk. He added that “the jury chose three works of varied style, demonstrating a good command of writing, a musical and expressive vision and interesting sound design.”

The Final Round of the Voice Competition will be held on October 22 and streamed LIVE on The Violin Channel at 1 PM (ET). The three finalists are mezzo-soprano Barbara Skora, baritone Jungrae Noah Kim, and soprano Chelsea Marilyn Zurflüh.