Afin de ne pas gêner les artistes, merci de bien vouloir neutraliser votre téléphone portable et de ne pas entrer ou sortir de la salle durant l’exécution d’un morceau. Veuillez noter par ailleurs qu’il est interdit de prendre des photos ou d’enregistrer le concert par quelque moyen que ce soit. Merci.
Les épreuves sont diffusées en direct sur : concoursgeneve.ch, Youtube, Facebook, Amadeus.tv et The Violin Channel Captation vidéo et diffusion web : JBP Films
PROGRAMME
PROJET ARTISTIQUE
Dans le cadre des Demi-finales du 79e Concours de Genève, il est demandé aux candidat·es de proposer un projet mettant en lumière leur personnalité artistique.
Ce projet peut prendre diverses formes, qu’il s’agisse d’une proposition purement musicale, d’un concept de tournée ou même d’une collaboration avec d’autres formes artistiques telles que la littérature, les arts visuels ou la danse.
L’objectif du projet est de permettre au jury et au public de mieux comprendre la vision artistique des candidat.es et ce qui les anime dans leur parcours musical. Le Concours de Genève s’engage à aider les finalistes du concours à réaliser leur projet.
Le projet artistique compte pour 20% de l’évaluation globale de la demi-finale. Les demi-finalistes ont eu l’occasion de travailler et préparer leur projet artistiques grâce à des séances de travail en ligne avec deux coachs professionnels : Eugénie Guibert, agente d’artistes et Andreas Vierziger, consultant et curateur artistique.
A Genève, les demi-finalistes doivent présenter et défendre leur projet en répondant aux questions d’une journaliste spécialisée : Charlotte Gardner, journaliste musicale free-lance. L’interview se fera en anglais, en présence du Jury et en public. Le public n’est pas autorisé à poser des questions.
JURY ALTO 2025
Tabea Zimmermann, Présidente
Tomoko Akasaka
Ettore Causa
Cynthia Phelps
Pauline Sachse
Jean Sulem
German Tcakulov
WASSILI WOHLGEMUTH
SAMEDI 8 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« HINDEMITH DER MALER»
The idea is to create a short animated movie based on the second movement of Hindemiths Viola Concerto “Der Schwanendreher“. The movie could be shown in the context of a Family -or children’s concert, with the concerto being played live and parallel to the movie, but also standing alone as a short movie in digital form.
Similar to the way that a film director might try to find the right music for a scene, as a musician, I often thought about realizing the images that came to my mind while listening to certain pieces. Of course not all music tries to evoke pictures, but especially the music of 20th century composers like Prokofiev, Stravinsky or Hindemith, often carries this quality.
The piece that opened my eyes for Hindemiths music was his viola concerto “Der Schwanendreher”. I was immediately captivated by its narrative quality, something that didn’t match the sometimes believed misconception about his music being overly theoretical or dry.
AYAKA TANIGUCHI
SAMEDI 8 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« VIOLA × KOTO - CONTEMPORARY MUSIC»
Dialogue Between Spectral MuSic anD JapaneSe aeStheticS : «reSonance of SounD, tiMe, anD perceptionS of nature».
The concept for this project arises from my profound interest in contemporary music and my deep fascination with the musical traditions of my home country, Japan. It represents an integrated expression of my artistic identity.
Western and Japanese music differ fundamentally in their structures and underlying philosophies. However, there are remarkable points of resonance between them. A notable example is the French contemporary music movement, Spectral Music.
This project aims to focus on these shared qualities and to develop a program that embodies intercultural dialogue and musical resonance between these distinct traditions.
ALESSANDRA YANG
SAMEDI
8 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« WHAT DO YOUR EARS SEE? »
NurturiNg a Love of CLassiCaL MusiC through storyteLLiNg aNd art with the very youNgest of audieNCes
In a world where we are bombarded with AI-generated algorithms insidiously crafted to scream for our attention, how we respond to art remains a kind of individual eye in the hurricane that the modern cultural landscape has become. Yet, despite the designs of the arbiters of popular culture, we can’t help but see and hear in our own way; no one can force anyone into a given interpretation. The inside of our head is a safe zone where we are free to escape and let art itself guide the exploration.
Classical music, with its ability to plumb the vast extremes of human emotion, is ideally suited for this purpose. However, classical music has an image problem, perceived by many as intimidating and inaccessible; few today would reach first for a Beethoven symphony or Mozart opera. I want to take action starting with the earliest of listeners: children.
With the focus on the next generation of music-lovers, we will demystify classical music and encourage young minds to approach classical music with curiosity and imagination. Through art exercises, we will build an interactive foundation with classical music that promotes creativity and expression, with the hope that the students cultivate their own relationship with this incredible artform.
EMAD ZOLFAGHARI
SAMEDI 8 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« BETWEEN WORLD »
For this artistic project, I aim to curate a CD (which will be concertized) that Connects new commissioned works by Iranian composers alongside the standard viola repertoire. The link between the standard repertoire and new works is that they are each inspired by art from their own culture, whether it be music, dance, or visual art.
I want to share my story as a second generation Iranian-American, and how I have assimilated to North American culture, while still keeping my roots close and knowing where I came from. This program will create an experience that is both musically rich and culturally immersive.
My project tells the story of those who moved away from their home and left everything for their dreams. Although I grew up in North America, I will always hold my Iranian roots within me, and remember where I came from. This program is all about this connection, and how despite our cultural differences, we are more alike than we think. All the composers in the following program, despite being born in different centuries and parts of the world, were inspired by other cultures and art forms to compose their works. We all find connection through music, food, language and emotion. This is why it is possible to assimilate to different cultures. We all find human connection through art.
BRIAN ISAACS
DIMANCHE 9 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« orChestrated eXPressioNs » a CoNCert PrograM ProPosaL
Since I first started to play in orchestras from the age of 16, I have always been interested in creating my own orchestrations!
“ORCHESTRATED”
(a.) to develop my own orchestrations of a piece for viola
“EXPRESSIONS”
(b.) to propose this orchestrated piece to orchestra presenters along with a ‘prelude’-recital and talk.
To bring details of the score to life through my own orchestration style (voice distribution, texture, balance, etc.).
To perform the piece in both its original and orchestrated forms, giving audiences the opportunity to experience each version and compare the layers of expression between them.
KINGA WOJDALSKA
DIMANCHE 9 NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
« THE VIOLA GAMBIT »
the iMMortaL oPera gaMe - a MusiC-theatre ProjeCt
Viola Gambit brings together two seemingly distant worlds — music and chess — into a single, immersive stage experience. Inspired by a real historical event, it transforms the legendary “Opera Game” played by chess prodigy Paul Morphy at the Paris Opera in 1858 into a live, multi-layered performance for viola, ensemble, and actors.
At its core lies the question: Can logic and emotion, intellect and beauty, share the same stage? While music has been my lifelong pursuit, chess is a more recent passion. I don’t play competitively, but I enjoy following the chess world and watching games and analysis videos. I find many similarities between the two — both demand precision, creativity, and emotional discipline. They mirror each other in a way: grounded in structure, yet always reaching beyond it.
This project embodies my artistic mission: to connect the arts in unexpected ways and bring classical music into dialogue with other creative languages. Viola Gambit is not a concert about chess — it is a music-theatre work where the chess game becomes a metaphor for artistic creation, risk, and sacrifice.
Through this story, I explore how beauty is often born from the tension between calculation and emotion, order and chaos, winning and surrender.
ERIC SEOHYUN MOON
DIMANCHE 9 NOV - 11H
PROJET
ARTISTIQUE :
« SPATIAL MUSIC » where souNd surrouNds you
Spatial Music is a concert experience where the audience can hear sound from multiple directions, either with the musician physically moving or through speakers that are placed in different locations throughout the venue.
Classical music concerts have been perceived from the front of the stage to the audience (one-directional) for the past centuries. Yet our ears can hear sound in 360°. That raised a question in me: “Why can’t we experience concerts on a 3-dimensional scale in sound?” From that question came my concept of Spatial Music.
This concept itself is actually not unheard of. Back in 1727, Johann Sebastian Bach first performed the St. Matthew Passion in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. It is a masterpiece written for two choirs and two orchestras which were placed on opposite sides of the church, creating an remarkable spatial effect. This piece therefore inspired me with the idea of sound embracing the audience, which I wanted to interpret in a 21st-century way.
The audience will experience their ears opening in all directions, perceiving the concert in a three-dimensional way. The repertoire will be curated according to this idea.
SARAH STROHM DIMANCHE 9
NOV - 11H
PROJET ARTISTIQUE :
«
360° OF PAUL HINDEMITH’S SONATAS FOR VIOLA »
Complete sonatas for solo viola and viola with piano by Paul Hindemith through three complementary approaches:
• A narrator introducing the composer and the works, reading quotes from his correspondance
• A projection of drawings/caricatures by Hindemith and photos of him in relation to the works performed
Concert conception: Journey through Hindemith’s different phases and inspirations:
• Hindemith lyrical and inspired by Debussy
• Hindemith inspired by machines and industrial progress
• Hindemith inspired by Bach: Variations
• Hindemith inspired by folk and jazz music: parody and playfulness
Between each section (and during the sections), a narrator would provide contextual information and read quotes in order to facilitate a better understanding of the works played.
PRIX ET RÉCOMPENSES
PRIX OFFICIELS
1er Prix
2e Prix
3e Prix
CHF 20 000.
CHF 12 000.−
CHF 8000.
Les prix officiels bénéficient du généreux soutien de la Fondation Francis & Marie-France Minkoff
PRIX SPÉCIAUX
Prix du Public
Prix Jeune Public
CHF 1500.−
PROCHAINS RENDEZ-VOUS
SAMEDI 08.11 - DIMANCHE 09.11
DEMI-FINALE ALTO - Musique de chambre 16h et 19h, Salle Franz Liszt, Conservatoire
Les candidat·es interprètent deux oeuvres imposées: Le Divertimento de Mozart KV563 (mouvements 1 à 3) et Naturale de Berio. Ils et elles sont accompagné·es de solistes de renom.·
DIMANCHE 09.11
SHOWCASE AUTOUR DE L’ALTO 11h, Salle Bartholoni, Conservatoire
Showcase organisé par l’Association Suisse Lutherie et Archèterie, en complément à l’exposition d’instruments proposé au Conservatoire de Genève durant le Concours d’Alto.
MARDI 11.11
MASTERCLASS ALTO
Haute école de musique de Genève
Sessions à 10h & 14h30
CHF 1000.–Prix des Étudiants
Prix Rose-Marie Huguenin
Prix Fondation Etrillard
Prix Société des Arts
Prix Concerts de Jussy
Prix Hindemith
CHF 1000.–
CHF 10 000.–
CHF 5000.–
CHF 3000.−
CHF 3000.−
CHF 3000.–Prix Odyssée Frank Martin Engagement
Prix des Musiciens de l’OSR Engagement
Les lauréat·es reçoivent également une récompense de notre partenaire Pirastro Strings.
PROGRAMME DE SOUTIEN AUX LAURÉATS
En plus des prix officiels, le Concours de Genève propose un Programme de Soutien aux Lauréats, leur offrant un appui et des conseils indispensables pour démarrer leur carrière. Le programme comprend deux ans de management par l’agence Sartory Artists : à la clé, de nombreux concerts, des tournées internationales et un atelier de formation professionnelle.
Masterclass publique avec Tabea Zimmermann, Présidente du Jury d’Alto, en partenariat avec la HEM et l’HEMU. Entrée libre
MERCREDI 12.11
FINALE ALTO
19h, Victoria Hall
Les trois finalistes interprètent la pièce imposée de L. Albisetti Nouvel Élan (1 er Prix Composition 2024), suivi d’un concerto à choix parmi une liste. Avec l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, sous la direction de Cornelius Meister.
JEUDI 13.11
WORKSHOP DES LAURÉATS
11h, Haute école de musique de Genève
À l’issue d’un atelier de formation de trois jours, les participant·es présentent le fruit de leurs travaux devant un panel de professionnel·les et le public.
JEUDI 13.11
CONCERT DES LAURÉATS ALTO
19h30, Salle des Abeilles, Palais de l’Athénée
Concert avec des lauréat·es du Concours d’Alto. Offert par l’Institut National Genevois. Entrée libre, sur inscription (www.inge.ch)
VENDREDI 14.11
CONCERT DES LAURÉATS ALTO
20h, Temple de Jussy
Concert donné par l’altiste lauréat·e du 79e
Concours de Genève. En partenariat avec Les Concerts de Jussy.
