For the fourth year, Mas-d’Azil will host, in the second week of July, this major international violin competition, which brings together around fifty candidates from Occitanie, France and the world each year.
For 14 years, each year, candidates have come to show their work and their talent in front of a jury of recognized classical music professionals; a jury chaired by the international soloist, Marie Cantagrill. It should be remembered that this is one of the very rare violin competitions which offers 5 categories to young violinists (from beginners to excellence – concertists or future concertists).
In addition, it takes place in rural Ariège territory, which is unprecedented; and all the more unusual as Mas-d’Azil is a place known throughout the world for its cave and its prehistoric past.
On the other hand, like every year, luthiers-bow makers from Occitanie and elsewhere will be welcomed in an exhibition-meeting, which will allow candidates and the public to meet them and make contact, to try instruments, to benefit from advice, etc. A partnership with luthiers and bow makers allows donations of instruments to be made to the association and/or to candidates, and violins are loaned each year to candidates for a year or more. This year, in particular, the master bow maker of ASEI (Association which helps young autistic people working in workshops) will offer a bow to a candidate, who does not have the means to buy a high quality one.
The events (from 9 to 12) will be, like every year, open to the public (free entry).
The opportunity to listen to classical music performed by very talented young violinists for several days. In the excellence category, there are nearly 30 candidates, already concert performers or future concert performers, who will each offer nearly an hour of very high-level programming.
The Competition winners’ Concert will take place on the Monday following the tests, July 13 at Mas-d’Azil, the first prizes in each category being accompanied by the musicians of the Ariège Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Marie Cantagrill.
A great moment of excellence and sharing in rurality, simplicity and emotion, organized by the Musique et Partage en Couserans association!
