Chamber musicians act with one main goal - to serve music, art and beauty, bringing together diverse cultures and disparate personalities. In these tumultuous times, chamber music could serve as a model for how our world leaders should behave!
Since 2014, the PLOVDIV INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION has brought together musicians from six continents (only Antarctica is not represented, but we are working on it!), and it has been amazing to experience the breathtaking beauty and astonishing power of chamber music, in a stunning setting in our spectacular, sensational, extraordinarily old (8000 years!) but forever young, enchanting and fascinating Plovdiv - an irresistible gem of a town, the gorgeous pearl of the ancient Roman Empire, and - nowadays - the proud 2019 European Cultural Capital - bravely withstanding the inevitable ravages of time, eternally splendid and magnificent!
This year we again had a brilliant constellation of talent, an impressive, sparkling event - the third edition of the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition featuring 59 contestants from 24 countries and 6 continents! Opening on October 1 - the day which is celebrated around the world as the International Day of Music - our Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition brought us impressive, memorable performances, sparkling with marvelous grace and exquisite beauty!
On behalf of the organizers of the Competition and of the esteemed international jury, I thank all contestants and prizewinners for their participation and great achievements, and wish them all fantastic success in their career!
Elmira Darvarova (President of the Jury)
PRIZEWINNERS of the 2017 COMPETITION:
MAIN CATEGORY
GRAND PRIX, 4000 BGN - DUO SONORO, Ukraine
FIRST PRIZE, Gold Medal, 3000 BGN and $500 Special Jury Prize - QUASI TRIO, Czech Republic
SECOND PRIZE, Silver Medal, Audience Prize, 2000 BGN, and Concert at the 2019 Balabanov's House Music Days Festival - DUO TSANOVA - MAKEDONSKI, Bulgaria
THIRD PRIZE, Bronze Medal, 1000 BGN, Special Prize "Eugene Ysaye", and Special Prize "Orpheus" created by the artist Valchan Petrov - DUO POKROVSKY, Russia
SPECIAL PRIZE for BEST PERFORMANCE of CONTEMPORARY PIECE, and Concert at the
2018 Plovdiv International Chamber Music Festival - DUO YuNiKa, Russia
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JUNIOR CATEGORY:
FIRST PRIZE, Gold Medal, Audience Prize, Poulenc Prize, and 500 Leva - DUO APPASSIONATO, Bulgaria
SECOND PRIZE, Silver Medal, and 300 Leva - TRIO GMG, Bulgaria
THIRD PRIZE, Bronze Medal, and 200 Leva - DUO RALEX, Bulgaria
THIRD PRIZE, Bronze Medal and 200 Leva - DUO ARSIS, Romania
Congratulations and Much Love to all our Prizewinners!!!
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RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMPETITION
The Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition was founded in 2014 by the world-renowned violinist Elmira Darvarova, Neli Popova-Koeva - Director of the“Dobrin Petkov” National School for Music and Dance in Plovdiv, and the Foundation for Culture and Art “MusicArtissimo”. The Competition takes place under the auspices of Ministry of Culture - Republic of Bulgaria, under the aegis of Municipality Plovdiv, and with the support of America for Bulgaria Foundation.
The main objective of the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition is to add opportunities for young concert artists to further their career, emphasizing the fundamental role of chamber music and its important influence upon performers and audiences - on an international level. The great ancient city of Plovdiv (8000 years old - the oldest in Europe and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited place) was selected to be the 2019 European Capital of Culture, and the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition is proud to be part of the rich tapestry of cultural and artistic events, taking place in the Plovdiv area!
The Third Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition will take place October 1-5, 2017, at the concert hall of the “Dobrin Petkov” National School of Music and Dance in Plovdiv. Entry to the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition is open to all instrumental chamber music groups, ranging from Duo to Sextet, with or without piano. Groups including voice, or made up of two pianos, are excluded from the Competition (four-hand piano duos are admissible).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2017
The Competition includestwo age categories, as of October 1, 2017:
JUNIOR CATEGORY: for contestants up to 18 years of age on October 1, 2017
MAIN CATEGORY: for chamber groups in which the group members’ average age must be 35 years on October 1, 2017. (Average age is determined by dividing the sum of everyone's years by the number of participants in the group.)
At the beginning of the live auditions the participants must present a document of identification, otherwise they will be excluded from the Competition. If there is a personnel change in a chamber group after it is registered for the Competition, or before participation in any of the Competition rounds, this particular chamber group loses the right to participate in the Competition.
All rounds of the Competition, except for the Preliminary Round of the Main Category, are open to the public.
For the JUNIOR CATEGORY the Competition consists ofoneround, with duration of approximately 20 minutes. The repertoire includes any chamber music compositions, or movements from compositions, with varied and contrasting style, period and character.
For the MAIN CATEGORY the Competition consists of four rounds.
Round One: Preliminary Audition.
To keep the participation costs low and to guarantee a high competition level, the First Round will consist of a preliminary audition by way of evaluation of recorded audio and/or video performances, either sent as an mp3 attachment to e-mail, or mailed on a disc, or uploaded by the candidates to SoundCloud.com, YouTube.com, or other similar websites (candidates' choice). If the candidates' recordings are on a website (SoundCloud.com, YouTube.com, MySpace.com, Facebook.com, or any other site), the links to these recorded performances should be sent together with the application form and other required documents, by and not later than July 31, 2017. The recorded audio and/or video repertoire (5 - 30 min. long) should include at least two compositions (or movements from compositions) of contrasting style, period, and character. The compositions on the recorded program must involve all instruments in the group. The compositions must be executed in their original versions; only those transcriptions made by the author will be accepted. Possible exceptions (i.e. transcriptions made by important composers) must be pre-approved by the Artistic Committee of the Competition. The recorded performances will be evaluated by a board of examiners. The screening panel will evaluate the interpretation and technical accuracy of the performance. Admission to Round Two of the Competition will depend on the Jury’s incontestable judgement and will be communicated in good time and in the most appropriate manner to those involved, together with the information about the day and time of the quarter-final audition. Round One outcome will be available through the Competition website (www.plovdivchambercompetition.org). Please note: finalists of the Competition, who wish to participate in the next editions of the Competition, are exempt from submitting audio and/or video recordings to the Preliminary Round One in future editions of the Competition.
Round Two: Quarter-final Audition.
Round Two consists of a public audition in front of the Jury. Performance order of the participating groups will be determined by drawing of lots. The repertoire presented by each admitted ensemble will be chosen by the candidates. The repertoire should have a duration of approximately 30 minutes and should consist of two, or more, compositions (or movements from compositions), with contrasting style and character. The candidates should bring music scores to the Competition - two complete sets of scores for the Jury is required: failure to meet score requirements will result in disqualification. The repertoire for this round may, or may not be the same as for the preliminary audition.
Round Three: Semi-final Audition.
Round Three consists of a public audition in front of the Jury. Performance order of the participating groups will be determined by drawing of lots. The repertoire, lasting approximately 30 minutes, should be different from the repertoire performed in Round One and Round Two (the candidates should bring music scores to the Competition - two complete sets of scores for the Jury is required: failure to meet score requirements will result in disqualification).
Round Four: Final Audition.
It consists of a public audition in front of the Jury. Performance order of the participating groups will be determined by drawing of lots. The proposed repertoire for this round may be different from the previous rounds, or may be the same as in previous rounds - at the candidates' choice. The repertoire, lasting approximately 30 minutes, must be agreed to between the ensemble and the Jury, who may or may not ask to hear again some of the pieces performed in the previous rounds.
THE JURY is composed of musicians of great international renown, who will award prizes on the basis of demonstrated high musical and technical abilities, sophisticated ensemble skills and artistic presence. The Jury will have the option to select to hear separate movements or excerpts of the works presented, to abbreviate the duration of the contestants’ presentation, or to ask to hear certain pieces again. The Jury’s judgement is final and incontestable. In case of a tie, the Jury President's judgement will prevail. The Jury has the right to not award all of the announced prizes.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: The contestants must fill out, sign and scan an Application Letter, and e-mail it together with other required documents, by and not later than July 31, 2017, to the following e-mail address: info@plovdivchambercompetition.org
The following information and materials must be received from all applicants byJuly 31, 2017:
1. Application Letter, with the following information:
a) Name of the chamber ensemble;
b) Type of the group (specifying the instruments and their players);
c) Ensemble contact address (including e-mail) and phone number;
d) Repertoire for the Competition.
2. Scanned official documents, certifying the participants’ age (birth certificate, or passport);
3. Brief artistic biographies of all members of the ensemble;
4. Up-to-date artistic photographs of the group and/or the group members, in .jpg format, minimum 150 dpi;
5. Links for the recorded and uploaded repertoire for Round One - Preliminary Audition (this does not apply to the Junior Category!)
6. Scanned bank document certifying the payment of theRegistration Fee(except for former prizewinners, who don't have to pay any fee):
for Junior Category - in the amount of 10 Euros per group member;
for Main Category - in the amount of 20 Euros per group member;
(Please note: the Registration Fee does not include transfer fees and/or bank commissions).
The required documents must be scanned and sent to the following e-mail address: info@plovdivchambercompetition.org prior to July 31, 2017.
A fee paid by an applicant who does not meet the criteria for registration will not be refunded. All late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered valid. Late payments of registration fees will not be refunded.
Registration Fee. As specified above, the Registration Fee (which is non-refundable, and non-reimbursable, regardless of the circumstances) must be paid by July 31, 2017, and a scanned bank document certifying the bank transfer must be included with the application documents, by the deadline July 31, 2017. Candidates who have not effected all required payments, will not be admitted to participate.
For the Junior Category, the Registration Fee is 10 Euros per ensemble member.
For theMain Category, the Fee is divided in two portions: the first part, in the amount of 20 Euros per ensemble member, is payable by the application deadline July 31, 2017; the second part, in the amount of 30 Euros per ensemble member, is payable only by the chamber groups who are notified that they are advancing to the Second Round, and this second portion of the Registration Fee (30 Euros per ensemble member) is due by August 31, 2017.
All fees must be transferred to the following bank account:
National Music School “Dobrin Petkov” - Plovdiv
UniCredit Bulbank, Plovdiv Branch
IBAN: BG 19UNCR 7630 3100 113496
BIC CODE: UNCRBGSF
(To: Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition)
PLEASE NOTE: FORMER PRIZEWINNERS OF THIS COMPETITION PAY NO REGISTRATION OR APPLICATION FEES!
MUSIC SCORES:
Two copies of the music scores must be presented to the Jury prior to participation in the Competition rounds. Published works must have original scores or authorized facsimiles. Authorized facsimiles may include photocopied scores that are accompanied by either a written statement from the publisher, granting permission for the photocopied scores, or a declaration, signed by a member of the ensemble, stating that the contestants accept all possible legal liability for making any copies from the original scores.
PRIZES. The following prizes may be awarded, depending on the Jury’s decisions:
JUNIOR CATEGORY:
First Prize: Gold Medal, Diploma and 500 BGN
Second Prize: Silver Medal, Diploma and 300 BGN
Third Prize: Bronze Medal, Diploma and 200 BGN
MAIN CATEGORY:
First Prize: Gold Medal, Laureate Diploma and 3000 BGN
Second Prize: Silver Medal, Laureate Diploma and 2000 BGN
Third Prize: Bronze Medal, Laureate Diploma and 1000 BGN
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to award additional prizes and distinctions, granted by state, municipal or private individuals and organizations, depending on the Jury’s decisions, which are final and incontestable.
Prizewinners’ Gala Concert: The prizes will be awarded at the Gala Concert concluding the Competition on October 5, 2017. The winners of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes of the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition must perform at the Gala Concert which will take place at a renowned Plovdiv concert venue. The prizewinners' repertoire for the Prizewinners' Gala Concert is chosen and determined by the President of the Jury. Failure to perform at the Gala Concert of the Prizewinners, and/or failure to perform at the Gala concert the specific repertoire indicated by the President of the Jury, will result in forfeiting the prizes, medals, diplomas and monetary awards bestowed on the prizewinners who fail to perform at the Prizewinners' Gala Concert, or fail to perform the repertoire indicated by the President of the Jury, regardless of the reason for such failure(s). The winning ensembles performing at this event should be identical (persons and instruments) to those participating at the Competition, or they will lose the right to the Prize(s). The prizewinning chamber ensembles, performing at the Gala concert, will not receive remuneration for their performances. NO RECORDING OF ANY KIND BY THE CANDIDATES, PRIZEWINNERS OR ANYONE (EXCEPT THE COMPETITION ORGANIZERS) IS PERMITTED DURING THE PRIZEWINNERS' GALA CONCERT.
Media coverage and recordings. TV and radio recordings, resulting in documentation and media coverage during the Competition and the Prizewinner’s Concert, will not give the performers any rights over, or compensation for, the same. NO RECORDING OF ANY KIND BY THE CANDIDATES, PRIZEWINNERS OR ANYONE (EXCEPT THE COMPETITION ORGANIZERS) IS PERMITTED DURING THE COMPETITION ROUNDS, OR DURING THE PRIZEWINNERS' GALA CONCERT.
Travel and Accommodation.
Participants will cover their own expenses for travel and accommodation. The organizers may help, if asked, with hotel reservations.
Practicing during the Competition.
During the Competition rounds, contestants will be provided with practicing and dressing rooms.
PLEASE NOTE: PRIZEWINNERS MAY PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE EDITIONS OF THIS COMPETITION WITHOUT PAYING REGISTRATION/ APPLICATION FEES.
Participation in the Competition presupposes unconditional and unreserved acceptance of the rules and regulations of the Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition.
The Organizers reserve the right to make additions, corrections or changes to the clauses in the Rules and Regulations at any time, even after their publication.
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PRIZEWINNERS OF THE 2015 COMPETITION:
MAIN CATEGORY:
FIRST PRIZE: GOLD MEDAL, LAUREATE DIPLOMA, 3000 Leva, and a CONCERT at the 2017 "BALABANOV's HOUSE MUSIC DAYS" INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL:
DUO LEE - TONG (South Korea/China)
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL, LAUREATE DIPLOMA, 2000 Leva, and the SHOSTAKOVICH PRIZE:
MESSAGES QUARTET (Poland)
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL, LAUREATE DIPLOMA, 2000 Leva, and a CONCERT at the 52nd PLOVDIV CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL:
LUDENS PIANO TRIO (Romania)
THIRD PRIZE: BRONZE MEDAL, LAUREATE DIPLOMA, 1000 Leva, and SPECIAL DIPLOMA for BEST PERFORMANCE of a PIECE by a BULGARIAN COMPOSER:
DUO AGITARE BENE (Bulgaria)
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JUNIOR CATEGORY:
FIRST PRIZE: GOLD MEDAL, DIPLOMA, 500 Leva, CONCERT and RADIO RECORDING:
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE "PRESTO" (Bulgaria)
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL, DIPLOMA and 300 Leva:
DUO MAGNETICS (Bulgaria)
THIRD PRIZE: BRONZE MEDAL, DIPLOMA and 200 Leva:
CHITARRA CAMERATA GUITAR QUINTET (Bulgaria)
AUDIENCE PRIZE:PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE "PRESTO" (Bulgaria)
SPECIAL PRIZE "ORPHEUS", CREATED by ARTIST VALCHAN PETROV for BEST EMERGING ARTIST: ALEXANDRA TOTEVA from PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE "PRESTO"
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2014 COMPETITION:
(61 participants from 11 countries)
MAIN CATEGORY (2014):
FIRST PRIZE: GOLD MEDAL, 3000 Leva, CONCERT at a PRESTIGIOUS VENUE:
AKME PIANO QUARTET (Poland)
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL and 2000 Leva:
DUO PEPERONCINO ROSSO (Germany)
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL and 2000 Leva:
QUARTET SOLARTIS (Romania)
THIRD PRIZE: BRONZE MEDAL and 1000 Leva:
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE 3/4 (Bulgaria)
THIRD PRIZE: BRONZE MEDAL and 1000 Leva:
TRIO 2 to 1 (Bulgaria)
FOURTH PRIZE: 500 Leva:
DUO KOSTOV- PREYS (Bulgaria)
FOURTH PRIZE: 500 Leva:
VIOLETTE TRIO (Italy-Russia-Hong Kong)
AUDIENCE PRIZE: DUO PEPERONCINO ROSSO (Germany)
BRAHMS PRIZE: AKME PIANO QUARTET (Poland)
DVORAK PRIZE: SOLARTIS QUARTET (Romania)
MENDELSSOHN PRIZE: CHAMBER ENSEMBLE 3/4 (Bulgaria)
SHOSTAKOVICH PRIZE: TRIO 2 to 1 (Bulgaria)
BULGARIAN CHAMBER WORK PRIZE: CHAMBER ENSEMBLE 3/4 (Bulgaria)
DIPLOMA for BEST PIANO TRIO: CHAMBER ENSEMBLE 3/4 (Bulgaria)
SPECIAL PRIZE "ORPHEUS", CREATED by ARTIST VALCHAN PETROV
for BEST EMERGING ARTIST: JACQUELINE PREYS (Bulgaria)
SPECIAL DIPLOMA OF MERIT for ARTISTRY in the SEMI-FINALS: TRIO 442 (Bulgaria)
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JUNIOR CATEGORY 2014
FIRST PRIZE: GOLD MEDAL, DIPLOMA, 500 Leva:
QUARTET LIBERO
FIRST PRIZE: GOLD MEDAL, DIPLOMA, 500 Leva, CONCERT:
TRIO PULDIN
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL, DIPLOMA and 300 Leva:
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE PRESTO
SECOND PRIZE: SILVER MEDAL and 300 Leva:
DUO PIZZICATO
THIRD PRIZE: BRONZE MEDAL and 200 Leva:
TRIO ARTISSIMO
FOURTH PRIZE: TRIO NEKRIMA
FOURTH PRIZE: TRIO BACH
FOURTH PRIZE: TRIO ANGELA, EVA & SIMEON
AUDIENCE PRIZE: PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE PRESTO
AUDIENCE PRIZE: DUO PIZZICATO
MOZART PRIZE: DUO PIZZICATO
HAYDN PRIZE: TRIO BACH
CLARA SCHUMANN PRIZE: TRIO PULDIN
MARTINU PRIZE: TRIO ARTISSIMO
PIAZZOLLA PRIZE: QUARTET LIBERO
HONORARY DIPLOMA for PREMIERE PERFORMANCES: TRIO NEKRIMA
SPECIAL PRIZE "PHILIP DOBRICHKOV" FOR INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE in the amount
of 200 Leva: STEFAN HUBENOV (Violin, TRIO PULDIN)
SPECIAL DIPLOMA OF MERIT for YOUNGEST CONTESTANTS: DUO PIZZICATO
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PLOVDIV INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION © 2013