Tenerife International Viola Competition 2025 Finalists to Compete November 17-19
The Tenerife International Viola Competition 2025 will feature twelve international violists competing in the Tenerife Auditorium's chamber hall on November 17th and 19th, with a special concert by Timothy Ridout on November 18th.
The Tenerife Viola Fest, along with the Resonancias Cultural Association and the Tenerife Auditorium, has announced the final stages of the Tenerife International Viola Competition 2025. The competition will take place on Monday, November 17th, and Wednesday, November 19th, in the chamber hall of the Tenerife Auditorium. Entry is free, but spaces are limited.
José Carlos Acha, the island councilor for Culture, and Macarena Pesutic, the artistic director of the competition, shared these details.
Twelve violists, aged 16 to 30, will compete for the prize. This competition is a natural progression for the Viola Fest, which has been running for eight years. The competitors come from Spain, Germany, China, Korea, the United States, Portugal, and Japan. They were chosen from over 50 applicants representing 15 different countries. The judging panel includes Macarena Pesutic, Garth Knox, Timothy Ridout, Veit Hertenstein, Humberto Orán, and Víctor Pablo Pérez.
The semifinal round will be held on Monday. This round aims to blend Canarian culture with an international feel. Performances will run from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The program starts with European romantic music, featuring works by Brahms, Schumann, Schubert, and Franck. Competitors will also perform a piece inspired by Spanish or Ibero-American culture. A highlight will be the premiere of "Las Nieblas de San Borondón" by composer and violist Garth Knox. This piece incorporates the Canarian lullaby "arroró" and melodies from the "pito herreño" with a powerful and evocative style.
On Wednesday, the four finalists will compete. They will perform Bach's Chaconne and Joaquín Turina's "Escena Andaluza" op. 7. They will also be joined by the Schumann Quartet and pianist Javier Lanis. These performances will take place in the chamber hall between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
Throughout the week, the 12 selected violists will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses with the jury members. Additionally, Kiyoko van Bochove will provide individual coaching sessions to support the artistic and personal development of each musician.
The Tenerife Viola Fest and the Tenerife Auditorium are also hosting a concert by violist Timothy Ridout on Tuesday, November 18th, at 7:30 PM. He will be accompanied on piano by Federico Colli. Tickets for this concert can be purchased through the Tenerife Auditorium's usual sales channels.