Tibor Varga International Violin Competition's 2023 Candidates

Open to violinists of any nationality 26 years or under, the competition will be held in Sion, Switzerland from August 25 to September 2, 2023

Organized by the Fondation Sion Violon Musique, the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition, in Sion, Valais, aims to discover new talents, enrich the experience and musical practice of the participants, and provide encouragement to the winners for the rest of their careers.

With 149 registrations, it recorded a new increase in participation of 20% compared to the last edition. Only 25 candidates have been selected to take part in the public rounds — of whom 11 are from Asia/Oceania, 12 from Europe, and 2 from America. The youngest candidate is only 14 years old, while the average age is around 21.

The selected candidates are:

• Al-Saghir Léa, 23, Swiss
• Arai Rio, 24, Japanese
• Coppey Emmanuel, 23, French
• Fukuda Rennosuke, 23, Japanese
• Gogibedaschwili Elisso, 23, Austrian
• Hirano Yuki, 19, Japanese
• Im Anna, 25, South Korean
• Jégou-Sageman Sarah, 25, French
• Kim Seohyun, 14, South Korean
• Kurasawa Mahiro, 20, Japanese
• Lakisova Masha (Maria), 21, American
• Meinrenken Emma, 23, Canadian
• Ménétrier Alcide, 22, French
• Nussbaumer Raphael, 17, Swiss
• Oberhofer Muriel, 22, Swiss
• Raviol Isabelle, 17, German
• Saito Aoi, 25, Japanese
• Schiffner Felicitas, 25, German
• Tóth Kristóf, 23, Hungarian
• Wang Sophie, 23, Taiwanese
• Weissbecker Alexandra, 21, German
• Weng Qingzhu, 21, Chinese
• Yang Tien-Lin, 21, Taiwanese
• Zamponi Yume, 17, Italian
• Zou Zhang, 20, Chinese

These candidates will compete in the first round on August 26 and 27. Those who have made it through this stage will then compete in the second round on August 28 and 29. Finally, on August 31 and September 2, three finalists will take part in the final in two parts – one for chamber music and the other with orchestra.

The 2023 jury will comprise Augustin Dumay (President), James Brown, Mihaela Martin, Natsumi Tamai, Ingolf Turban, Pavel Vernikov, Silvia Colasanti, and Ashley Wass.

Up to 39,000CHF (~$40,000 US) will be awarded in prizes. The First Prize will receive CHF 20’000, Second Prize CHF 10’000, and Third Prize CHF 5’000.

The Prize for Best Interpretation of the piece by Silvia Colasanti is valued at CHF 3'000. There will also be a Youth Jury Prize (CHF 500) and an Audience Prize (CHF 500).

Previous major prize winners include VC Artists Ji Won Song and Paul Huang.