Concertino Praga Is Heading for the Finals. Come and Cheer on the Stars of Tomorrow
Eight young musicians, two final categories, two orchestras – and everything still to play for in the 60th anniversary edition of Concertino Praga. The competition reaches its climax in Prague on 17 and 18 September, before the laureates head south for the traditional Concertino Praga South Bohemian Festival just a few days later. Come and experience the moment when exceptional young talent steps into the spotlight.
Every year, the final rounds of the Dvořák International Radio Competition for Young Musicians Concertino Praga transform the excitement of competition into a thrilling live concert experience. Following the anonymous first round, eight finalists from five countries have made it through to perform before both a live audience and an international jury this September.
A Historic First for the Wind Instrument Final
The first final takes place on Thursday, 17 September at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Prague Conservatory. Competing in the wind instrument category are Czech trombonist Sebastian Cretan, Ukrainian oboist Alina Lamziuk, Czech trumpeter Vojtěch Stejskal and Armenian flautist Elen Virabyan.
This year also marks a first in the competition’s history: never before has a trombonist reached the Concertino Praga final as a soloist. The four finalists will perform with the Prague Philharmonia under the baton of Marek Ivanović.
The Keyboard and String Final Takes Centre Stage at the Rudolfinum
The following evening, Friday, 18 September at 7 p.m., the competition moves to the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum.
The keyboard and string instrument final will feature New Zealand pianist Xuyao Bai, Czech cellist Tobiáš Balkovský, Czech pianist Valentýna Ibriqi and Japanese violinist Lin Tokura. They will be joined by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marek Šedivý.
Both final concerts will also be broadcast live on Czech Radio Vltava.
Talent Stage Shines a Light on More Young Musicians to Watch
Before Friday evening’s final, audiences will have another chance to discover some of the outstanding young musicians who caught the jury’s attention in the first round.
The Talent Stage takes place on 18 September at 5 p.m. in the Suk Hall of the Rudolfinum and will feature South Korean trumpeter Jooan Kim, Czech harpist Michaela Odvárková, Czech pianist Jaroslav Skalka and American cellist Daniel Wang.
From Prague to South Bohemia
The story does not end with the finals. One of Concertino Praga’s most cherished traditions is its South Bohemian Festival, where the young musicians can leave the pressure of competition behind and meet audiences in the more relaxed setting of a concert tour.
This year’s festival opens on Monday, 21 September in Třeboň, with a concert in the Schwarzenberg Hall of Třeboň Chateau. On 22 September, the laureates travel to the Vok Hall of Bechyně Chateau, followed by a concert on 23 September at Střelnice – the Community House in Tábor.
The festival comes to a close on 25 September in the Knights’ Hall of the Jindřichův Hradec Chateau. It will be a symbolic return to one of the places at the very heart of Concertino Praga’s history – a town that has been closely connected with the competition for decades.
Come and celebrate the 60th anniversary edition of Concertino Praga live – and discover a new generation of musicians whose names may soon become very familiar.
