We know our finalists: Eight young talents are heading to Prague.
International Music Competition for Young Performers Concertino Praga – Dvořák Radio International Competition – Announces Its Finalists for 2025
Eight exceptionally talented young musicians have advanced to the finals, having stood out among nearly sixty applicants from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In two instrumental categories – strings and keyboard instruments, and separately for wind instruments – the expert jury anonymously evaluated recordings from a total of 59 contestants. The jury, composed of leading Czech performers and educators, convened from May 4–8, 2025.
Concertino Praga 2025 Finalists
Solo Category I (Strings and Keyboard Instruments):
Matvejs Fokins (Latvia) – Piano
Yeonah Kim (South Korea) – Violin
Darin Lambrev (Bulgaria) – Cello
Viktor Stocker (Czech Republic) – Accordion
“This year's edition of Concertino Praga has once again confirmed that the interpretive level of young musicians is rising incredibly fast. Not only in terms of technical mastery of highly demanding pieces, but also – despite their young age – in their admirable musical maturity and the breadth of convincingly interpreted repertoire,” said pianist Karel Košárek. “It’s a pity that only four competitors can advance to the finals; I could easily imagine a few more in this category.”
Music director Petr Strejc added: “It’s also worth noting the diverse instrumental representation. Personally, I was pleased to see the participation of harps, accordions, and violas. We can only wish all participants perseverance in the years to come – may music continue to guide them.”
Solo Category II (Wind Instruments):
Raeun Hong (South Korea) – Oboe
Víctor Amadeu Puigbò Rincón (Spain) – Saxophone
Otakar Antonín Štefan (Czech Republic) – Clarinet
Chantal Ramona Veit (Italy) – Flute
“This year's competition pleasantly surprised me with the high standard among wind instrument applicants. The evaluation was extremely difficult, with minimal point differences,” stated hornist Jan Vobořil.
Flutist Žofie Vokálková praised the variety of instruments: “I was very happy to see less ‘competition-prone’ instruments like the saxophone, oboe, and bassoon represented this year – and at such an excellent level. I also appreciate the very even standard and quality of the trumpet players.”
“Recording a nearly 30-minute program in a single take is a challenge even for seasoned professionals. The competitors demonstrated not only musical excellence but also incredible discipline and concentration,” added clarinetist Karel Dohnal.
Each finalist will perform a concerto piece in a public concert in Prague, accompanied by orchestra. Their performances will be evaluated by a final jury, and the winners will receive financial scholarships. The main laureate will also be given the opportunity to record a professional studio session with Czech Radio.
Based on the jury’s scoring, two alternates were selected. If they do not take part in the final, they will have the opportunity to perform at the Talent Stage of the Dvořák Prague Festival:
Naďa Strnadová (Czech Republic) – Cello
Levente Bubreg (Austria) – Bassoon
Special Awards for 2025
Karel Komárek Family Foundation Award for the Best Czech Participant: Viktor Stocker (Accordion)
Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Award: Chantal Ramona Veit (Flute)
Viktor Kalabis and Zuzana Růžičková Foundation Award: Matvejs Fokins (Piano)
Final Concerts in September
12th September 2025 – Final of Category II (Wind Instruments): Bethlehem Chapel, Prague
13th September 2025 – Final of Category I (Piano and String Instruments): Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague
Both concerts will take place within the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival. Czech Radio Vltava will broadcast the concerts live, including the Laureates’ Concert from the South Bohemian Concertino Praga Festival in Písek. Other concerts will be aired from recordings.
