Dubai is scheduled to host the finals of the largest new violin competition in the world, as registration has finally opened, which is the “Olympus International Classical Violin Competition,” which will organize its final activities, with 12 violinists competing, face to face, in Dubai during April. 2025.
This competition, which is open to violinists of all ages and nationalities, has a prize fund of 310,000 euros, a pre-selection stage that extends across six countries around the world, and includes completely different eligibility criteria, according to the Gramophone Classical Music magazine.
Regarding the importance of the competition, the magazine explained that the violin instrument, with the delicate feelings it evokes, is the most popular instrument throughout the ages, regardless of language or culture, but its talented players find it difficult to stand out in light of the presence of opportunities that provide only a limited path for practitioners who are required to complete a group. Of stringent standards, noting that the “Olympus International Classical Violin Competition,” headed by the artistic director of the “International Music Festival” in Sion (Switzerland), violinist Pavel Vernikov, promises an unparalleled initiative at all levels and the arrival of a new approach to classical music competitions.
The competition will be supervised by a 23-member jury of conductors and directors of world-famous orchestras, festivals and concert series, with the value of the first prize reaching 200,000 euros. Most importantly, it will be the only violin competition in the world open to everyone.
In addition, according to the magazine, the pioneering competition programme, which includes six parts to highlight the most distinguished candidates, as the first stage witnesses the finalists performing alongside a symphony orchestra before they assume the role of conductor and lead the orchestra themselves for the second round. This will be followed by a special performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano, which will see them collaborate with two world-famous soloists, as well as a professional orchestra. Finally, participants will translate a work by a contemporary composer before giving a solo appearance and then participating in a short question and answer session with the jury.
In order to ensure that the competition reaches the largest possible number, the competition includes six different pre-selection stages in six separate cities throughout 2024. Each of these preliminary competitions will have a special prize fund of €35,000, and will be chaired by a five-person jury to determine the candidates. The two highest-ranked and most deserving of attending the grand final ceremony, which will be held in Dubai during April 2025.
