Culture

International violin contest Henri Marteau

Under the direction of the Hofer Symphoniker, international young violinists perform at Haus Marteau in Lichtenberg and the Freiheitshalle in Hof.

Musizierende des Orchesters während der Abschluss-Gala in der Freiheitshalle Hof

Europe

Germany

Hof

Funding period: 2017, 2023

Die Finalisten des Wettbewerbs vor der Musikbegegnungsstätte Haus Marteau in Lichtenberg — The finalists of 2017 in front of Haus Marteau in Lichtenberg near Hof. From left to right: Misako Akama, Minkyum Kim, Rachel Koblyakov, Fédor Roudine, Celina Kotz, Francisco Garcia Fullana. Photo: Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH

Evi Hoch (Wilo-Foundation), gemeinsam mit den drei Preisträgern und Gilbert Varga (Juryvorsitzender) sowie Cora Bethke (Intendantin der Hofer Symphoniker) und Oliver Geipel (Kaufmännischer Geschäftsführer der Hofer Symphoniker) — Evi Hoch (Wilo-Foundation), together with the award winners 1. Hawijch Elders, 2. Xunyue Zhang and 3. Julian Walder as well as Gilbert Varga (jury chairman), Cora Bethke (artistic director of the Hof Symphony Orchestra) and Oliver Geipel (commercial director of the Hof Symphony Orchestra). Photo: Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH

The "International Violin Competition Henri Marteau" in Hof was named after the famous violinist, who firmly believed that supporting young and talented artists is an integral part of musical culture. The District of Upper Franconia is the sponsor of the competition founded by Freundeskreis der Musikbegegnungsstätte Haus Marteau e.V., while the Hof Symphony Orchestra is responsible for the artistic and general coordination. The renowned competition for young musicians and the final gala concert take place every three years at Haus Marteau in Lichtenberg and the Freiheitshalle in Hof.

The goals of the competition are to encourage highly talented young musicians on their way to an international career, contribute to international understanding, foster the exchange between young talented musicians, connect them with renowned professors and commemorate the work of the great violinist Henri Marteau.

Eine Finalistin verbeugt sich vor der Jury nach ihrem Auftritt — Reina Shibutani in the first round in front of the jury of the 2017 Violin Competition. Photo: Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH

The competition also promotes young musicians through monetary and non-monetary awards, by enabling them to meet internationally known violinists and by providing a support programme after the competition which includes scholarships for master classes, the organisation of debut concerts and broadcast productions with the "Bayerischer Rundfunk”, the Bavarian broadcasting corporation. During the competition, the young violinists usually stay with local host families, which gives them an opportunity to get to know German culture. The award winners receive a monetary prize. The Wilo-Foundation provides the funding for the 1st prize (10,000 euros). It also provides 1,000 euros to the youth jury, made up of young violinists of the Hof Symphony Orchestra Music Academy, which then awards the amount to their favourite contestant.

Photo Header: Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH

Our funding partner

The District of Upper Franconia is the sponsor of the competition that was founded by Freundeskreis der Musikbegegnungsstätte Haus Marteau e.V., while Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH (the Hof Symphony Orchestra) has overall responsibility for the artistic and general coordination. The Hof Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1945, has developed into a central player of cultural life in Germany. With its own music academy, which is unique in Germany, a Suzuki Academy and an art school managed by the orchestra, the Hof Symphony Orchestra is an important cultural and education hub in Bavaria.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs`?