Concertino Praga flies the Czech colours this year

The 57^th year of Concertino Praga – the Antonín Dvořák International Radio Competition for Young Musicians culminated at the end of last week. After the international jury had selected the best of the anonymous recordings, the performers gathered in Prague to continue the struggle for victory in front of an audience. “The musicality of all the competitors made a great impression on me. All the performances were very interesting and I liked them all. I am pleased that I had the opportunity to see artists who are just starting out on highly successful careers,” said the Spanish violoncellist Pablo Ferrández, who was a jury member. He confirmed the high level of the competition that has gone on to garner increasing international prestige after Czech Radio and the Academy of Classical Music joined organisational forces.

The international jury led by the violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky decided on the victory of the Czech duo of Daniel Matejča – Jan Schulmeister after the final concert in the chamber ensemble category held at the Convent of Saint Agnes of Bohemia on 15.9. Their dominance was further confirmed when they won the Audience Prize, the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Prize and the Viktor Kalabis and Zuzana Růžičková Foundation Prize. Second place went to the German Trio Florestan and third place was taken by the Czech duo of Veronika Jaklová – Kristian Mráček.

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One day later, the same jury members (Roman Rabinovich, Sarah Willis, Luc Mangholz, Albena Danailova, Pablo Ferrández, Ivo Kahánek, Irvin Venyš, Justas Dvarionas and Dmitry Sitkovetsky) decided on the victory of the Czech pianist Adam Znamirovský at the final concert for the soloist category in a completely sold-out Rudolfinum. He also received the Audience Prize and the Karel Komárek Family Foundation Prize. The German flautist Fabian Johannes Egger took second place and the Ukrainian violinist Margaryta Pochebut came in third.

“It was three years ago that I played on the steps of the Rudolfinum, one month later I performed in the Suk Hall and now I have made it all the way to the Dvořák Hall. In addition to the wonderful concerts in the following days, my victory in the competition also brought me a wonderful experience. I would definitely recommend that young artists should register in the competition,” said the winner directly after the results were announced. Unlike many other competitors, the final concert was his first opportunity to perform with a symphony orchestra and he made full use of it.

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Adam Znamirovský’s comment on the concerts taking place in the following days refers to the traditional event that occurs directly after the finale. The Concertino Praga South Bohemian Festival, which is attended by all the laureates, takes place from 18 to 22 September at the châteaux in Český Krumlov, Bechyně and Jindřichův Hradec and in the pilgrimage church in Klokoty u Tábora. All of the concerts will be broadcast by Czech Radio’s Vltava station, either live or as recordings.