The world of classical music is abuzz with excitement as the 2025 Concours de Genève viola finalists are finally revealed, and the competition is fiercer than ever! But here's where it gets really interesting: among the talented musicians vying for the top spot, only three have made it to the final round, and their journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Meet Brian Isaacs (USA), Sarah Strohm (Switzerland), and Ayaka Taniguchi (Japan), the exceptional violists who will battle it out on November 12th at Geneva’s iconic Victoria Hall. And this is the part most people miss: these finalists didn’t just play their way through; they survived a grueling semi-final process that included a 60-minute recital, a chamber music round, and the presentation of a unique artistic project—all held from November 6 to 9 at the prestigious Conservatoire de Genève in Switzerland.
Each finalist will perform a concerto alongside the renowned Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, as well as tackle the compulsory piece, Nouvel Élan by Léo Albisetti, which was the winning composition from the 2024 competition. But here’s the controversial part: while the first-place winner will take home a substantial CHF20,000 (£17,600), the second and third prizes are significantly lower at CHF12,000 (£10,500) and CHF8,000 (£7,050), respectively. Does this prize distribution truly reflect the effort and talent of these musicians? We’ll leave that debate to you in the comments.
Adding to the excitement, several special prizes will also be awarded, including the Audience Prize, Students’ Prize, Rose-Marie Huguenin Prize, Arts Society Prize, Concerts de Jussy Prize, and Hindemith Prize. This year’s jury, chaired by the legendary Tabea Zimmermann (herself a former first-prize winner in 1982), features an impressive lineup of experts: Tomoko Akasaka, Ettore Causa, Pauline Sachse, Cynthia Phelps, Jean Sulem, and German Tcakulov. Fun fact: The Concours de Genève has a rich history with the viola, dating back to its first viola edition in 1942, won by Paul Doktor. The last viola competition, held in 2005, saw Ukrainian violist Maxim Rysanov and US violist Jennifer Stumm share the second prize—a rare joint honor.
For those eager to witness this musical showdown, the finals will be livestreamed on The Strad website, giving audiences worldwide a front-row seat to the action. Held annually, the Concours de Genève alternates between disciplines like piano, flute, clarinet, cello, viola, string quartet, voice, and percussion, with composition featured every other year. But here’s a thought-provoking question: With such a diverse range of instruments and disciplines, is the Concours de Genève truly the ultimate proving ground for classical musicians? Or does its rotating format dilute the focus on individual mastery? Let us know your thoughts below!
Whether you’re a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the viola’s rich tones, this competition promises to be a highlight of the year. Don’t miss the chance to see these rising stars in action—and maybe even spark a debate or two along the way!
