Promoting the discovery and development of talent and audiences for string quartet
Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales
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Wigmore Hall interior (photo: Nick Gutteridge)

“Winning the First Prize at the London Competition confirmed that we made the right decision in choosing chamber music and the art of the string quartet, and that we can successfully give the audience real pleasure. And, of course, the Competition gave us the opportunity to perform on the international stage.” Atrium Quartet, First Prize and Audience Prize winners at the 2003 International Competition

Tenth London International String Quartet Competition 2006

The Prizes

Cash Prizes

Subject to the advice of the International Jury, a total of £27,500 cash is available for distribution as follows:

First Prize (Menuhin Prize): £12,000
Second Prize: £7,500
Third Prize: £4,000
Four Special Prizes: £1,000 each
  1. Esterhazy Prize: for the best performance of a Haydn quartet in the Preliminary Round.
  2. The Sidney Griller Award: for the best performance of the three compulsory pieces in the Preliminary Round (Wolf, Webern, Kurtag)
  3. Amadeus Prize: for the best performance of a Mozart quartet in the Preliminary Round.
  4. Audience Prize: awarded by the members of the audience attending the Final.

The prizes will be presented after the Final at the Wigmore Hall on Sunday 9th April 2006.

The first, second and third prize-winning quarterts will be expected to perform a concert in London, without fee, as part of the award, at a date to be agreed within 24 months of the Final of the Competition. Travelling and subsistence expenses will be met.

First and second prize-winners will be expected to set aside one half of their case prize in order to assist with their development and enable them to fund necessary expenses over a two year period. Cash balances not utilised will be released after 24 months.

Development Prizes

The winner of the Tenth Competition will be offered an EMI Classics Debut Series recording.

An additional menu of development prizes will be offered to winners of the Competition, depending on their suitability and availability. These include but are not restricted to:

  1. UK recital tour
  2. California recital tour
  3. Residency in the UK
  4. Coaching with a well-known, established quartet in Europe
  5. Loan of fine instruments for special projects for up to 2 years
  6. Return invitation to London

Should there be any change in the personnel of a prize-winning quartet after the Competition, the Foundation reserves the right not to proceed with the development programme.

Winners  |  About the Competition  |  The Prizes  |  Rules and Repertoire  |  Juries  |  Past Winners
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