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Pancho Vladigerov
International Violin Competition 2026

RULES

Terms and Conditions

The sheet music required for the competition can be downloaded [here].


The competition is open to violinists of all nationalities and is held in a single age category. Eligible participants must be born after 1 January 1994.

 

General Information

The competition will be held as follows:
An online Preliminary Round will take place between 1 and 14 December 2025. The deadline for registration is 28 November 2025.
The live rounds will include two solo rounds, a semifinal, and a final with orchestra, taking place between 25 February and 4 March 2026 at the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The Opening Ceremony will be held on 25 February 2026 in the Concert Hall of the National Academy of Music.

The Pre-selection will be decided by an Expert Jury appointed by the organisers of the Competition. The Jury will select up to 24 violinists to participate in the live rounds. The results will be announced on 16 December 2025. Additional candidates may also be selected as substitutes in case of participant withdrawal. Selected substitutes will be notified by email.

All candidates are required to upload their video recordings to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another platform that allows file downloading. Accepted file formats are MP4 or MOV, with a maximum file size of 5GB per video.
All submissions, including the video recordings, must be completed by 28 November 2025.

Video Recording Requirements
The video recordings must comply with the following criteria:

  • Each video must be created specifically for The Pancho Vladigerov International Violin Competition 2026.

  • The video recording can be made with a camera or phone, in FullHD 1080p or higher resolution in landscape position.

  • At the beginning of the recording, candidates must introduce themselves in English, stating their full name, nationality, and explicitly confirming that the video has been made for The Pancho Vladigerov International Violin Competition 2026.

  • The introduction must also include the programme performed in the video. Example:
    “My name is [Full Name], I am from [Country]. This video is recorded for The Pancho Vladigerov International Violin Competition 2026. In this recording, I will perform [Title and composer of each work].”

Candidates may submit either a single continuous video recording containing all required repertoire for the Preliminary round, or separate video recordings for each individual work. Each video recording must present the complete performance of the respective work, including all required movements or sections. The required introduction must appear at the beginning of each submitted video and must refer specifically to the work(s) included in that recording.

 

Competition’s Repertoire

All works must be performed by memory, with the exception of the violin and piano sonata in the Second Round.

Preliminary Round
Candidates must include the following in their video submission:

  • One solo caprice of the candidate’s choice, selected from:
    • 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1 by N. Paganini
    • L’École moderne: Études-Caprices, Op. 10 by H. Wieniawski

  • First movement with cadenza (candidate’s choice) from one of the following concertos:
    • J. Haydn – Violin Concerto in C major, Hob. VIIa:1
    • J. Haydn – Violin Concerto in G major, Hob. VIIa:4
    • W. A. Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat major, K. 207
    • W. A. Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 211
    • W. A. Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216

First Round (24 participants) – Duration: up to 25 minutes
The programme must include:

  • J. S. Bach – Two movements from one of the following sonatas for solo violin:
    • Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 – Siciliana and Presto
    • Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 – Andante and Allegro
    • Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005 – Largo and Allegro assai

  • One solo caprice, chosen from:
    • 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1 by N. Paganini
    • L’École moderne: Études-Caprices, Op. 10 by H. Wieniawski
    (Note: The same caprice performed in the Preliminary Round may be repeated.)

  • A work of the candidate’s choice for solo violin or for violin and piano, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes.
    (Note: Movements from sonata or concerto are not permitted.)

Second Round (12 participants) – Duration: up to 50 minutes
The programme must include:

1. One sonata or sonatina for violin and piano, chosen from the list below:

    • J. Brahms – Sonata No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3

    • E. Grieg – Sonata No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3

    • M. Ravel – Sonata No. 2

    • S. Prokofiev – Sonata No. 1 or No. 2

    • C. Debussy – Sonata in G minor

    • C. Franck – Sonata in A major

    • F. Poulenc – Sonata, FP 119

    • F. Schubert – Sonatina No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, or Sonata (Duo) in A major

    • P. Vladigerov – Sonata in D major, Op. 1

2. One virtuoso piece for solo violin or for violin and piano, max 15 minutes.

3. One of the following works for violin and piano by P. Vladigerov:

    • Horo (from Two Bulgarian Paraphrases, Op. 18)

    • Rachenitsa (from Two Bulgarian Paraphrases, Op. 18)

    • Rhapsody “Vardar”, Op. 16
      (Note: Works performed in the First Round may not be repeated in the Second Round.)

Semifinal Round (6 participants)
One of the following violin concertos with chamber orchestra:

  • J. Haydn – Violin Concerto in C major or G major

  • W. A. Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3

Final Round (3 participants)

  • P. Vladigerov – Chant (Song) for violin and piano, from Bulgarian Suite, Op. 21

  • One of the following violin concertos with symphony orchestra:
    • S. Prokofiev – Violin Concerto No. 1
    • P. I. Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto
    • J. Brahms – Violin Concerto
    • L. van Beethoven – Violin Concerto
    • F. Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto
    • P. Vladigerov – Violin Concerto No. 1

The results will be announced at the Gala Concert on 4 March 2026.

Accompaniment and Scores
Pianists for rehearsals and performances will be provided by the organisers at no cost. Participants may also perform with their own accompanists at their own expense.
Admitted participants must provide high-quality PDF scores (solo and piano parts) of their chosen works by 22 December 2025.

 

Registration

Candidates must register online at https://vladigerovcompetition.com/registration by uploading:

  • Up-to-date photograph

  • Copy of passport or ID card

  • Short CV

  • Proof of payment of registration fee

  • Video recording(s) for the Preliminary Round

Registration Fees

  • Preliminary Round: EUR 50 (by 28 November 2025)

  • Follow-up Rounds: EUR 100 (by 22 December 2025)
    Bank Details

  • NATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY “PANCHO VLADIGEROV”

  • Bank: Unicredit Bulbank

  • IBAN: BG46 UNCR 7630 3400 0011 20

  • SWIFT/BIC: UNCRBGSF

 

Results

Preliminary Round results will be on the website by 16 December 2025. Live round results will be announced after each round.

 

Ranking

Performances will be assessed using a points-based system. Candidates will be ranked in descending order.

Prizes

  • First Prize: EUR 15,000

  • Second Prize: EUR 10,000

  • Third Prize: EUR 5,000

  • Special Prize for the Best Interpretation of a Work by Pancho Vladigerov: EUR 2,000

  • Special Prize by the National Academy of Music: EUR 1,000

 

Award Ceremony

Prizes and diplomas will be presented at the Award Ceremony and Laureates’ Concert on 4 March 2026.

 

The Jury

The jury will consist of internationally recognized musicians and pedagogues. Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal. By applying, candidates agree to abide by the rules and accept the jury’s final decisions.

 

Performer’s Rights and Copyright

By participating, candidates waive any rights to audio/video recordings and broadcasts. Participation in the final concert is mandatory, and no financial remuneration is provided.

 

Recording and Broadcast

The organisers reserve the right to record, photograph, and broadcast all competition-related events.

 

Additional information

All travel, accommodation, and daily expenses are the responsibility of the participant. If a visa is required, candidates must request an official invitation in advance. The organisers are not liable for medical or personal expenses, or for lost/stolen items.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules and conditions. Submission of an application implies full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

You can download the sheet music for the competition from here:
DOWNLOAD