Founded at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar in 1995, the International LOUIS SPOHR Competition for Young Violinists has proved itself to be an effective instrument in support of exceptional talent. With a focus on up-and-coming talent up to 21 years of age, the competition offers the chance for young musicians to make an early impression on international juries. The competition is divided into three age categories and three elimination rounds; prizes with a total worth of 16,000 Euros are awarded to the best musicians. In addition, there are special prizes and related concert and broadcast opportunities.
The competition owes its name to the work of Louis Spohr (1784-1859): Through his work as concertmaster and conductor in Gotha, Erfurt and Nordhausen, Spohr contributed his own chapter to Thuringian music history. Not only was he one of the most important virtuosi of his era, but he was also a multifaceted teacher and progressive organiser of municipal music activities. Young violinists, through Louis Spohr’s example, are encouraged to discover the possibilities that stem from musical development.
Hochschule für Musik FRANZ LISZT Weimar
The participants should be aged from 9 to 20 and will be divided in 3 age categories.
The competition will take place in three rounds.
Every four years
TBA 2026
competition
For the online application the following documents are required:
1. The Competition is open to young violinists of all nationalities. The following dates should be noted for the different age categories:
2. Participation is not possible if at least one juror is the candidate’s teacher. Teachers are considered to be regular teachers up to 12 months before the start of the competition.
3. All rounds of the competition are open to the public (concert attire is required). The order of performance for the participants is determined by random selection in the form of a lottery system.
4. All works must be performed from memory and without repeats (except for very short repeats). Sonatas with piano as well as contemporary works may be played from sheet music. The order of works to be performed in each level can be determined by the candidate. After registration, the program can no longer be altered.
5. Official piano accompanists will be available free of charge for the competition. Participants bringing a private accompanist must cover the costs themselves.
6. The decisions of the jury are legally final. The jury reserves the right to stop a performance.
7. Participants must pay for hotel and travel costs themselves. International participants, especially from Eastern Europe, may apply for a subsidy for these costs. No one is automatically entitled to receive a subsidy.
8. The competition will cover accommodation costs for those candidates who have reached the second round (from then onwards), to a maximum of 25 Euros per person per night. This offer does not include accommodation costs for private piano accompanists or travel partners.
9. The prize winners are committed to perform in competition related concerts without pay. Prize winners must also accept their prize in person.
10. The competition may be recorded or transmitted and all recordings are the property of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar. The participants agree to this and do not have any publication rights.
Category I – born in 2009 and younger
Preliminary round with video recording
A virtuoso work of own choice for violin solo or for violin and piano (max. 10 min)
W. A. Mozart: a violin concerto, 1st movement with cadenza
These works may also be performed for the competition.
First Round
a) G. Ph. Telemann: a fantasy
or J. S. Bach: one movement with the corresponding Double from the Partita in b minor BWV 1002
or J. S. Bach: two movements from the Partita in d minor BWV 1004 (not the Ciaccona)
or J. S. Bach: two movements from the Partita in E major BWV 1006 (Menuett I and II together are one movement)
b) One capriccio by P. Rode, P. Gaviniés, C. Dancla, R. Kreutzer, J. Dont or H. Wieniawski
c) One work or movement(s) from a work of own choice for solo violin or for violin and piano (max. 10 min.)
Second Round
a) A movement from a sonata or sonatina by W. A. Mozart, L. v. Beethoven or F. Schubert
b) First or last movement from one of the following violin concertos:
C. A. de Bériot: Violin Concerto No. 9 A minor op.104
M. Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 G minor op. 26
E. Lalo: Symphonie espagnole op. 21
F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto E minor op. 64
C. Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3 B minor op. 61
L. Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 2 D minor op. 2
G. B. Viotti: Violin Concerto No. 22 A minor
H. Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 2 D minor op. 22
c) A virtuoso work of own choice for solo violin or for violin and piano (max. 10 min, the work from 1c may not be played here)
Third Round
W. A. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 G major KV 216
(with the Orchestra of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, conductor: Nicolás Pasquet)
Category II – born between 2008 and 2006
Preliminary round with video recording
J. S. Bach: two movements or one movement plus Double from the program 1.a)
A virtuoso work from the program 2.b)
These works may also be performed for the competition.
First Round
a) J. S. Bach: two movements, each with the Double from the Partita in B minor BWV 1002
or J. S. Bach: Allemanda, Corrente, Sarabanda, Giga from the Partita in D minor BWV 1004
or J. S. Bach: Preludio, Loure, Gavotte en Rondeau from the Partita in E major BWV 1006
b) A capriccio by H. Wieniawski (op. 10 or op. 18) or N. Paganini
c) L. Spohr: Barcarole G major op. 135 No. 1
Second Round
a) L. v. Beethoven: a sonata (except for No. 7, No. 9, No. 10)
b) One of the following works:
H. W. Ernst. Die letzte Rose, Etude No. 6
H. W. Ernst: Der Erlkönig – Grand Caprice op. 26
N. Paganini: La Campanella (all versions are accepted)
N. Paganini: Nel cor più non mi sento
M. Ravel: Tzigane
C. Saint-Saëns: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso op. 28
C. Saint-Saëns: Havanaise op. 83
P. de Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy op. 25
P. de Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen op. 20
F. Waxman: Carmen Fantasy
H. Wieniawski: Polonaise de Concert op. 4
H. Wieniawski: Polonaise brillante op. 21
E. Ysaÿe: a solo sonata
c) One work or movement(s) from a work for solo violin composed after 1950 (max. 10 min., 5 copies of the score are to be given to the jury before the beginning of the second round)
Third Round
M. Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 G minor op. 26
(with the Orchestra of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, conductor: Nicolás Pasquet)
Attention: F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto E minor will not be played in this round.
Category III – born between 2005 and 2001
Preliminary round with video recording
J. S. Bach: Fuga from one of the solo sonatas BWV 1001, 1003, 1005
A virtuoso work from the program 2.b)
These works may also be performed for the competition.
First Round
a) J. S. Bach: 1st and 2nd movement from one of the solo sonatas BWV 1001, 1003, 1005
b) N. Paganini: a capriccio
c) L. Spohr: Scherzo op. 135 No. 2 or Mazurka op. 135 No. 6
Second Round
a) W. A. Mozart: one of the sonatas KV 378, 454, 481, 526
b) One of the following works:
H. W. Ernst: Die letzte Rose, Etude No. 6
H. W. Ernst: Der Erlkönig – Grand Caprice op. 26
N. Paganini: La Campanella (all versions are accepted)
N. Paganini: Nel cor più non mi sento
M. Ravel: Tzigane
C. Saint-Saëns: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso op. 28
C. Saint-Saëns: Havanaise op. 83
P. de Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy op. 25
F. Waxman: Carmen Fantasy
H. Wieniawski: Polonaise de Concert op. 4
H. Wieniawski: Polonaise brillante op. 21
E. Ysaÿe: a solo sonata
c) One work or movement(s) from a work for solo violin composed after 1950 (max. 10 min., 5 copies of the score must be handed over to the jury before the beginning of the second round)
Third Round
F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto E minor op.64
(with the Orcheor stra of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, conductor: Nicolás Pasquet)
Attention: P. I. Tschaikowsky: Violin Concerto D major op. 35 will not be played in this round.
| Category I | Category II | Category III | |
| 1st Prize | € 1.750 | € 2.000 | € 3.500 |
| 2nd Prize | € 1.250 | € 1.750 | € 2.500 |
| 3rd Prize | € 1.000 | € 1.250 | € 1.500 |
www.hfm-weimar.de/spohr
