Nikolaj Znaider knows better than most the value of a competition. In 1992, aged just 16, he won first prize in the 2nd Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition and went on to scoop the 1997 Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels. Today, with an international career as both violinist and conductor, he has taken on the role of President for the 10th Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition and hand picked a jury to aide him in his vision. 23 participants have been chosen to compete in Odense from 16-22 April including 17 women and 7 men ranging in age from 17-29 years old.
Will help launch the careers
“Too many competitions leave the young artist ill-equipped to embark on a professional career” states Znaider. “With the Carl Nielsen International Competition our aim is to identify and help launch the careers of extraordinary and versatile talent as they begin the long road ahead of them. It is also of paramount importance for us to maintain transparency throughout the entire process of the competition, from choosing the participants to singling out the winners. A number of competitions are marred by the personal interests of their jury members, giving advantages to particular participants and making the competition effectively redundant.”
“Joining me this April in Odense are colleagues with a vast range of experience from different fields of performance and management, none of whom have duel roles as teachers and therefore completely unbiased. In addition to the benefits of the competition itself the jury, with their multiple connections across the international music scene, will be well placed to spread the word about emerging talent from Odense.”
The Jury
Joining Nikolaj Znaider on the 2016 jury are Noah Bendix-Balgley, (1st Concertmaster, Berlin Philharmonic) Mats Engström, (Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra), Kathryn Enticott, (Artist Manager), Charles Hamlen, (Artistic Advisor, Orchestra of St. Luke's | DiMenna Center), Werner Hink (Violinist, Vienna Philharmonic), Kathryn Stott (Pianist) Eugen Tichindeleanu, (Concert Master, Odense Symphony Orchestra and Jian Wang (Cellist).
Key components and benefits
In summary, the key components and benefits of the 10th International Nielsen Violin Competition are:
All participants must perform in recital, chamber music and concerto as well as direct from the violin in order to seek out a musician rounded in all areas and repertoire of their instrument. A two tiered final: the three finalists will compete over two days, with a break of one day between the semi-finals (19 April) and the finals (21 and 22 April). The structure of the finals allows each participant to have quality rehearsal time with the Odense Symphony Orchestra prior to performance. The Nielsen Violin Concerto is a key component of the repertoire and each finalist will perform the work in full. Each participant will receive personal advice from the jury on their performance as well as career and media guidance.
Prize is a recording deal
The winner will receive 12.000 Euros, a recording deal with Orchid Classics (studio & conductor of the value of 13.000 Euro), a minimum of 10 concerts with orchestras or recitals across Europe and PR guidance / support. The second prize winner will receive 10 000 Euros and the third prize winner 8 000 euros. Additional prizes include “Best Danish Interpretation” for the performance of a new work by composer Jesper Koch (2 000 euros), “Odense Symphony Orchestra Prize” (1 500 euros) and “Children’s Jury Prize” (1 500 euros). The entire competition will be streamed live on Danish Radio’s website.