Due to the current pandemic-related restrictions and widespread limits on public gatherings, the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City will hold its Wieniawski Violin Competition online this time around. Established in 1969, the Competition aims to encourage aspiring young violinist to study Polish violin repertoire with special emphasis on the virtuoso works by Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880). This year’s Competition Jury will be headed by the Competition’s Artistic Director, violinist Hanna Lachert, with Robert McDuffie and Mark Peskanov serving as the assisting jurors.
The Kosciuszko Foundation’s 2020 Wieniawski Competition will be carried out in three stages, scheduled as follows:
Stage I: Saturday, 21 November 2020, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Stage II: Sunday, 22 November 2020, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Final Stage: Sunday, 22 November 2020, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Each stage will be live-streamed on the official Kosciuszko Foundation YouTube channel. The Competition is open to violinists of all nationalities who are between 16 and 26 years of age as of November 21, 2020.
The Competition application deadline is July 21, 2020 and contestants are invited to send in a video recording of two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach’s Six Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin (with the exception of the Chaconne), and one virtuoso work of candidate’s choice. Details on application forms and other documents that need to be submitted with each application can be found at www.kfwieniawski.org. Acceptance notifications will be made by September 21, 2020.
Over $8,000 in prizes plus a special award of a performance with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Music Director, Maestro Matthew Aubin, are offered to Wieniawski Competition winners.
[Source: Kosciuszko Foundation press release]