Twenty-two young musicians have been selected from 183 applicants for this year’s Alberto Lysy International Violin Competition, culminating in a free final concert at Saanen Church on 10 October.

Twenty-two young violinists from around the world are in Gstaad and Saanen this week for the fourth Alberto Lysy International Violin Competition, taking place from 8 to 10 October.

This year’s competition attracted 183 applications from 44 countries, almost twice the number received for the previous edition two years ago. The selected musicians will compete over three days, with the final taking place on Saturday, 10 October at Saanen Church.

For the first time, the finalists will perform with a full symphony orchestra rather than piano accompaniment. The St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra will accompany the young musicians, adding a new dimension to a competition that is steadily developing an international profile.

The move to Saanen Church is another first. With its long association with classical music and the Menuhin tradition, the venue provides a fitting setting for a competition created to continue the legacy of violinist and teacher Alberto Lysy.

Growing international reach

The competition was initiated by the Association Rencontres Musicales – Camerata Lysy in Château-d’Oex and is now organised in collaboration with the Menuhin Center Saanen.

The growing number of applications reflects its increasing international reach. This year’s first prize is worth CHF 10,000, but the opportunities offered to the winners go beyond prize money.

Awards include future concert appearances at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival and, for the first time, at the Nume Festival in Italy. One prize also includes a four-year loan of a Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin.

The five-member jury comprises highly regarded musicians and music educators, with particular emphasis on professional independence and minimising potential conflicts of interest.

Continuing Alberto Lysy’s legacy

Alberto Lysy (1935–2009) was an Argentine violinist, conductor and teacher who became closely associated with Yehudi Menuhin.

Together they founded the International Menuhin Music Academy in Gstaad in 1977, which Lysy directed for many years. He had already founded Camerata Lysy in 1971, combining performance with the education of young musicians.

Supporting the next generation was central to his work, and the violin competition continues that tradition.

Competition programme

The first round takes place on 8 October from 9am to 7pm at the Kirchgemeindehaus Gstaad.
Followed by the semi-final on 9 October from 2pm to 8pm.
The final will be held at Saanen Church on 10 October from 3pm to 5.30pm, accompanied by the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra.

Admission to all rounds is free.

Further information and the livestream are available here

Based on reporting by our sister publication, Anzeiger von Saanen.