Application:
The 76th Prague Spring International Music Competition, a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions in Geneva, will take place in Prague on 6 – 14 May 2025 in the categories OBOE and CELLO.
The Competition is intended for artists of all nationalities who:
a) satisfy the age limit – 30 years (i.e. those who are born after 6 May 1995 inclusive)
b) have not already won 1st prize in the relevant category at the Prague Spring International Music Competition
APPLICATION DEADLINE – 2nd December 2024.
Persons interested in participating in the Competition shall apply online at the Competition´s website, where they shall complete and confirm an online application form and attach the following attachments: a) A copy of the applicant´s birth certificate or proof of identity
b) A portrait photo suitable for reproduction (without copyright) – min. 1 MB and 300 dpi
c) An unedited VIDEO recording of the compositions listed in the “Competition Repertoire” section of this General Provisions (find the technical requirements below)
d) A statement from a professor or other person of artistic standing (e.g. a sound engineer) guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of the recording – a form can be downloaded on the Competition´s website e) Proof of payment of the registration fee in the amount of EUR 50 (for costs associated with registration and the preliminary round) – always state the full name of the competitor in the comment
• payment to the Prague Spring account no. 3633372/0800 held at the Česká spořitelna bank, IBAN CZ64 0800 0000 0000 03633372, B.I.C. GIBACZPX (all fees must be transferred „free of bank charges for the recipient“)
• payment via PayPal service (platbaPP@festival.cz)
By 20th January 2025, the candidates admitted to the Competition (i.e. those successful in the preliminary round) shall be notified about their admission by an e-mail. After the 3 receipt of the admission confirmation, the participation fee 100 EUR must be transferred to the Competition account (or paid via PayPal) by 15th February 2025 at the latest. The accepted candidates shall be sent a letter with complete information concerning the organisation of the Competition, as well as the sheet music for the commissioned piece. Neither the registration nor the participation fee can be refunded.
Awards:
First prize – CZK 250,000
Second prize – CZK 150,000
Third prize – CZK 100,000
Repertoire:
OBOE
Preliminary Round:
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto for Oboe K. 314 – 1st movement
2. Robert Schumann: Three Romances Op. 94 – 1st Romance
First Round: (one piece must be played from memory)
1. Georg Philipp Telemann: 12 Fantasias TWV 40:2-13 Fantasy No. 9 (with repetitions)
2. Robert Schumann – Adagio and Allegro for Oboe and Piano Op..
Second Round:
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Oboe Quartet in F major K. 370/368b (in cooperation with Zemlinsky Quartet)
2. One of the following compositions a. Klement Slavický: Suite for Oboe and Piano b. Andre Jolivet: Serenade for Oboe and Piano c. Charles Koechlin: Sonata for Oboe and Piano Op. 58 (movements II, III and IV)
3. Jan Klusák: Solo composition up to 8 minutes commissioned for the IMC Prague Spring 2025.
Final:
1. Jiří Gemrot: Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra
2. One of the following concertos
a. Bohuslav Martinů: Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra H 353
b. Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra
CELLO
Preliminary Round:
1. Joseph Haydn: Concerto in C major Hob.VIIb:1 (1st movement without cadenza)
2. David Popper: Elfentanz Op. 39
First Round: (to be memorized)
1. Ludwig van Beethoven: First movement from one of following sonatas
a. in A major Op. 69
b. in C major Op. 102 No. 1
c. in D major Op. 102
2. Antonín Dvořák: Rondo in G minor Op. 94
3. Carlo Alfredo Piatti: 12 Capricci Op. 25 – one Caprice (except Caprice No. 1)
Second Round: (pieces can be played from sheet music or from memory as the candidate chooses)
1. First movement from one of following sonatas:
a. Johannes Brahms: Sonata in F major Op. 99
b. Franz Schubert: Sonata Arpeggione
c. Fryderyk Chopin: Sonata in G minor Op. 65
2. One of the following compositions:
a. Mieczyslaw Weinberg: Sonata for Cello Solo Op. 72 (2nd and 3rd movement)
b. Krzysztof Penderecki: Divertimento per Cello Solo (1994)
c. György Ligetti: Sonata for Cello Solo
d. Elliott Carter: Figment for Cello Solo
3. One full sonata from 20th century
a. Bohuslav Martinů: Sonata No. 2 H 286
b. Sergej Prokofjev: Sonata in C major Op. 119
c. Francis Poulenc: Sonata FP 143
d. Miloslav Kabeláč: Sonata Op. 9 (Bärenreiter Praha)
4. Pavel Zemek-Novák: Solo composition up to 8 minutes commissioned for the IMC Prague Spring 2025 PIANO
Final: (to be memorized)
In cooperation with Prague Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Harant
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Preludium, Sarabande, Gigue from one of Suits
a. E flat major BWV 1010
b. D major BWV 1012
2. Antonín Dvořák: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor Op. 104
More information: https://festival.cz/en/competition/podminky/