Who might follow in the footsteps of child Mozart?

A shortlist of 121 young pianists and violinists from around the globe will vie from Sept 12 to 24 in the 2nd Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians.

The finals will take place in Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre of the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen Central Business District. This is the first multi-purpose venue for performing arts that complies with international standards.

A rigorous elimination assessment was carried out in Salzburg, Austria on May 19-20 by a jury of seven distinguished musicians and teachers. They included Austrian violinist Paul Roczek and pianist Klaus Kaufmann and German pianist Gitti Pirner.

Starting were 300 entrants from 34 countries and regions. The bar was set quite high inasmuch as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is said to have been already competent on piano and violin when he composed at age 5 and performed before European royalty. The Zhuhai pre-selection based on those high standards took about a month, half a year after enrollment was initiated last November. 

1st Zhuhai International Mozart Week for Young Musicians [File photo courtesy zh.southcn.com]

Contestants came from famous conservatories, preparatory schools, and their attached middle and primary schools. They include Juilliard School in New York City, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and Royal College of Music in the UK. Outstanding musicians from eight Chinese music academies such as the Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Xinghai Conservatory of Music also came in pursuit of musical honors.

The biennial competition is the only classical music contest customized for children, teens, and young adults aged below 23. It was named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest composers of the Classical Era.

The government of the beautiful coastal city of Zhuhai co-sponsors the event with the University Mozarteum Salzburg in Austria to ensure a fair and just high-standard competition. It is organized by Huafa Group.

Within two weeks, standouts from the competition will be selected to give 30 concerts around the city, accompanied by the Salzburg Chamber Soloists, a famous group that regularly performs at various festivals.

The organizing committee will also invite 15 top-notch instrumental performers, educators, and music critics from eight countries to give public lectures and workshops, in the hope of promoting the classical music and drawing more people to join in Mozart Competition.