Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

The 2nd Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians initiated global enrollment on Nov 29 with a deadline of April 30 next year.    

The biennial competition is the only classical music contest customized for children, teens, and young adults. It encompasses several musical instruments and is named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a famous prolific composer of the Classical Era. The contest is sponsored by the University Mozarteum Salzburg in Austria and organized by Huafa Group.

The first session was held in Zhuhai from Sept 13 to 26 last year, attracting 535 contestants from 39 countries and regions. The grand musical feast received extensive attention from home and abroad with a series of activities such as Mozart Music Entering Classrooms, exhibitions, and master classes. 

The second competition will take place from Sept 12 to 24 next year at Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre, which is part of the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center. Standing on Nanwan Avenue of Wanzai and opposite Macao, it is a world-leading multi-purpose site for staging artistic performances. 

Contestant in 1st Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]

The participants, regardless of nationality, race, or gender, are below age 23. They will be divided into three groups, with ages 0-12 in Group A, 13-16 in Group B, and 17-23 in Group C. The top four in each group will win the final awards. During the competition, audiences can vote online for one pianist and one violinist. 

The competition not only focuses on the virtuosity of young musicians, but also attaches great importance to their understanding and interpretation of classical music styles. World-famous Indian conductor Zubin Mehta and Chinese Musicians Association chairman Ye Xiaogang are the honorary presidents. The Salzburg Chamber Soloists, globally renowned for specialization in Mozart’s works, is the designated orchestra for the competition.

Some adjustments have been made regarding the jury. Chinese judges remain the same while the violin chairman of the jury will be Friedemann Eichhorn, artistic director of the Louis Sbohr International Teenager Violin Competition; and that for piano will be prestigious French pianist and conductor Michel Beroff. Besides star teachers and educators from the US, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and Russia, renowned music composers and editors from Sueddeutsche Zeitung (South Deutsche Newspaper) and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (English literally Frankfurt General Newspaper) are invited to be on jury. 

The competition has received hearty support from the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in China and the Mozart International Fund. Colorful activities, exhibitions, forums, lectures, seminars, and salons will be held during the period. Winners of the first session and players this year will perform for charity concerts at hospitals, kindergartens, residential communities, and schools in Zhuhai, Macao, and surrounding cities. The Salzburg Marionette Theatre will also be invited to perform during the event. 

Young musicians from all over the world are invited to log on to www.zhmozart.org to fill in an application form and send it and a CD with assigned pieces of music to competition offices in Zhuhai or Austria. Accepted applicants will be notified before May 30 next year to confirm their participation.