Paganini International Violin Competition Introduces Chamber Music Round

The 58th Premio Paganini International Violin Competition will take place in Genoa, Italy, in October 2025. For the first time in the competition’s history, the semi-finals will feature a chamber music round. The competition’s Artistic Director, Nicola Bruzzo, stated that this addition aims to “emphasise the importance of mutual listening, collaboration, and musical interaction.”

Contestants will perform in a string quartet setting, collaborate with a piano trio, and join a violist for quintet repertoire.

This new round is supported by Le Dimore del Quartetto, a cultural enterprise dedicated to promoting chamber music. Since its founding in 2015, the organisation has built a network of over 90 ensembles from around the world. Under the artistic direction of violist Simone Gramaglia of the Quartetto di Cremona, it organises masterclasses, concerts, and educational projects.

“Placing emphasis on chamber music—meaning the ability to listen and respond accordingly—is not only a personal belief but also reflects a broader shift in the international music world,” Bruzzo remarked. “Today, young soloists aiming for major careers are expected not only to be outstanding instrumentalists but also to possess strong chamber music skills, as demonstrated by the programming of the world’s leading festivals. Through this collaboration with Le Dimore del Quartetto, the Paganini Competition embraces one of the most beautiful and valuable aspects of music: the art of truly listening to one another.”