Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, the Primrose International Viola Competition is proud of the rich history and legacy it promotes. The Competition has an international reputation for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its artistic and professional integrity. In 2024, 24 Quarter‐Finalists will be invited to compete for cash prizes and awards over $30,000 US dollars. The 2024 competition is dedicated to the memory of Dr. David Dalton, one of the world’s great champions of the viola and the legacy of William Primrose.
Deadlines
Applications due January 15, 2024
Application rules:
The Primrose International Viola Competition 2024 is open to violists born on or after June 23, 1992, who are ready to embark on an international solo career. The Competition welcomes applicants of all nationalities, ethnic origins, religions, and genders. Applicants are required to be current members in good standing with the American Viola Society and to submit a nonrefundable application fee of $125 US dollars.
Awards:
First prize: 15.000 €
Second prize: 10.000 €
Third prize: 5.000 €
Repertoire:
Pre-Screening/Video Round
Maximum length of total combined performance of all three works – 20 minutes
Competitors will perform works that fulfill all of the following criteria, and each video recording shall be made from start to finish without cuts and/or splices. Each work shall be uploaded separately. Since it will be a blind review process, do not include your name on the videos or on the titles of your video files:
Virtuosic piece of choice (examples include, but are not limited to, Paganini’s 24 Caprices or the Penderecki Cadenza for Solo Viola);
The Prelude of a Johann Sebastian Bach Cello Suite, the Preludio of Partita No. 3 in E Major, or the first movement of a Violin Sonata, transcribed for viola; and
First Movement of Carl Philipp Stamitz Viola Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 1 or Franz Anton Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D Major, both including cadenzas.
Quarter-Final Round
Minimum length of performance – 20 minutes;
Maximum length of performance – 25 minutes
The 24 competitors in the Quarter-Final Round will perform works that fulfill all three of the following criteria:
One major work for solo viola from the list below. Competitors may choose to play one or more movements from the same work to maintain time constraints; however, portions of movements are not permitted:
Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Solo Viola No. 1, Op. 11, No. 5 (1919); No. 2, Op. 25, No. 1 (1922); No. 3, Op. 31, No. 4 (1923); or No. 4 (1937)
Max Reger: Any of the Drei Suiten (Three Suites) for Solo Viola, Op. 131d (1915)
Ernst Krenek: Sonata for Viola Solo, Op. 92, No. 3 (1942)
One piece of choice with piano accompaniment from a category below:
Transcribed piece for viola – the transcription can be their own OR a transcription by William Primrose. Some Primrose transcriptions are listed in the PDF called “Primrose Transcriptions” below for reference. (Note: competitors who choose to perform the Weber Andante e rondo ungarese must use the Primrose transcription)
Virtuosic piece (examples include, but are not limited to, Paganini Sonata per la Grand Viola and Enescu Concertstück)
One piece for solo viola or for viola & piano by a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) composer. Competitors may refer to a list of suggested works here, but are not limited to these works. (Note: while the database is rather broad, competitors must choose a work specifically by a BIPOC composer to fulfill this requirement.)
Semi-Final Round
Maximum length of performance – 50 minutes
The eight competitors in the Semi‐Final Round will perform works that fulfill the requirements below:
Any two contrasting movements of a solo work by Johann Sebastian Bach (one movement can have been used in the pre-screening round);
The commissioned work for viola and piano by composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama for the 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition, lasting from 5-7 minutes (All live round competitors will have access to the score in March 2024); and
A complete major work for Viola and Piano (Selections include, but are not limited to: Clarke Sonata, a Brahms Sonata, RochbergSonata, any Hindemith Sonata for Viola, Bloch Suite 1919, Shostakovich Sonata, Bax Sonata, Bowen Sonata, Walker Sonata, Rubinstein Sonata, any Juon Sonata, Vieuxtemps Sonata, etc.)
Final Round
Each of the three competitors in the Final Round will perform, in its entirety, Claude Debussy Trio for Flute, Viola and Pedal Harp (1915); and either the Bela Bartók Viola Concerto (ed. Serly) or William WaltonViola Concerto with orchestra.
More information: https://www.primrosecompetition.org