21 Sep International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition Hanover

History of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition:

The International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Hanover has been a highlight for me since my childhood in the 1990s. Every four years, the atmosphere at the University of Music, Drama, and Media Hanover transforms magically, with the local press buzzing with articles about the competition.

Initiated and led for years by the Hanover-based violin professor Krzysztof Wegrzyn, the competition has long been one of the most prestigious and highest-endowed international violin competitions. Although Professor Wegrzyn was removed from the jury in 2021 due to allegations of favoritism towards his own students, the tremendous positive impact of the event on the musical scene in Hanover cannot be denied.

The winners of the competition, such as Antje Weithaas and Nemanja Radulović, are widely recognized as outstanding and successful musicians. Even participants who did not win first place have gone on to enjoy successful international careers.

In the upcoming 2024 competition, the international jury includes renowned violinists such as Kim Kashkashian and none other than Gidon Kremer. The presence of violin legends of this caliber alone brings an atmosphere of inspiration to Hanover, a city I am proud to call my hometown.

Personal Reflections on the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition

The Joseph Joachim Violin Competition offers a stage for young, aspiring violinists that is not only visible locally but also internationally, thanks to professional coverage and live streams. You can listen live to all the preliminary rounds, as well as the final round with the NDR Radiophilharmonie, through the official live stream of the competition.

For me, listening to endless performances of Bach, Paganini, and Ysaÿe solo works has always been a joy, and over the years, it has significantly deepened my understanding of these pieces. However, even more impactful and unforgettable are the magical moments that happen when highly skilled musicians reach their peak performance, playing their most cherished music alongside top-class pianists.

I was fortunate to hear violinists like Fumiaki Miura, Artiom Shishkov, and Ayana Tsuji perform live at the Richard Jakoby Hall in the University of Music in Hanover. After hearing their sound in that hall, my own violin playing and practice methods evolved. Additionally, hearing Gidon Kremer perform the lesser-known Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 129 in a side event of the competition, and Nemanja Radulović play the Khachaturian Violin Concerto, were experiences that ignited my passion and lifelong love for the violin. These are memories that shaped me as a musician.

I can only encourage everyone with a passion for the violin to tune into the live streams and check out the official JosephJoachimTV YouTube channel.

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