The Golden Keys in Switzerland for the first time
The Swiss association Unite Classics organized The Golden Keys, a competition with masterclasses for musicians aged 5 to 30. It took place for the first time in Switzerland on November 10 and 11 at the Musikinsel Rheinau.
The Golden Keys, music competition with master classes, is a collaborative project between two non-profit organizations - the Swiss Music Association Unite Classics and the Association Francilienne d'Expression Musicale (AFEM).
AFEM, which was founded in Paris in 1992, has been organizing The Golden Keys competition for 26 years under the leadership of its president Gerard Gahnassia. It has already established itself in numerous countries, including the USA, France, Bulgaria, Israel and Morocco, as well as Polynesia, New Caledonia, Réunion, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
The president of Unite Classics, Tamara Kordzadze, has championed this project and organized the competition with masterclasses for the first time in Switzerland this year on 10 and 11 November 2018 at the Musikinsel Rheinau. Candidates from music schools and music academies took part, graded according to age and instrument and in different categories: Piano, violin, viola, violoncello, wind instruments and harp. The jury (see picture above) included Klaidi Sahatci, Irina Pak, Gerard Gahnassia, Tamara Kordzadze, Stefano Severini and Tatjana Samoylova. The idyllic, inspiring surroundings of the Rheinau Music Island provided the perfect environment for musicians, families and the competition participants.
Seven first prize winners with the highest score received a The Golden Keys trophy:
- Alexander Kuznetsov (violin)
- Geuna Lee (violoncello)
- Anri Nishiyama (clarinet)
- Eka Bokuchava(piano)
- Alexander Sahatci (piano)
- Meret Maria Meier (harp)
- Sophie Bright (trombone)
Inspiring format for talent development
In addition to the main prizes, special prizes were also awarded by Unite Classics:
- Prize for virtuosity: Alexander Kuznetsov (violin)
- Best performer by a Swiss composer: Vivien Heinzmann (piano) for Děrborintzë from Trois images helvétiquesop. 65 No. 3, by Julien-François Zbinden
- Best teacher: Carina Walter (harp)
- Best Swiss participant: Meret Maria Meier (harp)
In addition, selected winners were awarded prizes from the Hug Music Foundation and the Lyra Foundation.
Thanks to this competition, children, young people and students were able to showcase their talent and skills in front of important personalities from the world of music, with the chance of active support for their musical careers.
Students in the piano class of Tamara Kordzadze, President of Unite Classics, have themselves won over 38 prizes at national and international competitions in the last three years. She and the Vice President of Unite Classics, Ralf Kostgeld, know how important and fruitful such events are for the young musicians and parents. However, it is important to them that the focus is on participation and the joy of making music.
The feedback speaks for itself: there was an incredible amount of positive feedback and the participants really appreciated the professional event with the award ceremony as the grand finale.
The aim of the Unite Classics association is to promote classical music and make it accessible to a wider audience. The association cultivates classical music as a universal language that is understood in different cultural circles. In doing so, the organization supports young musicians who stand out for their special talent, as well as all efforts that are in the interest of music research.
