A prestigious international classical music competition will hold its finals in Korea for the first time in history.
The Ysaÿe International Music Competition organizing committee announced on the 23rd that its finals scheduled for July will be held at Icheon Art Hall in Gyeonggi Province. Named after world-renowned Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, the competition has produced promising violinists from around the world, with Korean violinist Kim Seo-hyun winning first place in 2021.
This marks the first time a major international competition has held its finals in Korea, and the first time the Ysaÿe International Music Competition has staged its finals outside Belgium since its founding. Industry observers interpret this as international recognition of Korea's rising status in classical music, following Korean musicians' successive victories at international competitions.
"Korea has the most dynamic and passionate audiences and outstanding performers in the global classical music scene," the organizing committee said. "This musical journey connecting Belgium and Korea will provide a broader platform for young artists."
The finals will be held in Korea this year and next year, with Belgium and Korea alternating as hosts from 2028. Semi-finals and earlier rounds will continue to be held in Belgium.
This year's competition drew 121 applicants from 23 countries. Twenty contestants—eight juniors and 12 seniors—who passed the first and second rounds held online in Belgium will compete in the Korean finals. The finals will take place on July 10-11 at Icheon Art Hall, with conductor Cho Jung-hyun leading the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra.
The finalist lineup includes several Korean prodigies, raising expectations among domestic classical music fans. In the junior division, Lee Se-na, born in 2015, is the youngest finalist. In the senior division, Kim A-in (born 2011) and Lim Hae-won (born 2004) will compete on home soil. Kim Hae-won is also the youngest among senior division finalists. Contestants from China, Japan, Greece, Belgium, Russia, Australia, and the United States will also compete.
The Korea International School of the Arts (KISA) successfully bid to host the finals in partnership with the Belgian competition headquarters. KISA Principal Nam Kara will serve as co-director of the finals round. Principal Nam established ties with the headquarters while serving as a judge at last year's Ysaÿe competition in Belgium. Korean musicians swept first, second, and third places in the junior division at that competition, significantly raising international interest in Korean music education.
"Hosting the Ysaÿe International Music Competition finals will establish Korea as a collaborative partner on the international classical stage," Principal Nam said. "We will make every effort to ensure a successful event."
The jury includes artistic director Ashot Khachatourian, Stefan Jackiw, Kirill Troussov, Joel Smirnoff, and Choi Eun-sik. Finalists will perform Ysaÿe's solo violin sonatas and concertos by masters such as Beethoven and Brahms. The senior division winner will receive prize money, opportunities to perform with leading world orchestras, and a one-year loan of a prestigious Italian instrument.
