Congratulations to the prizewinners in the category viola!

Of the 38 participants in the Markneukirchen 2025 International Instrumental Competition for Viola, the international jury selected three outstanding young soloists for the final round on Friday, May 16, 2025 in the Markneukirchen Music Hall. There, Brian Isaacs (25), Antoine Thévoz (19) and Carla Usberti (23) once again presented themselves to the seven-member jury and the audience, who were also invited to vote for their favorite and award an audience prize donated by Sparkasse Vogtland. With the concertos in D major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister and Carl Stamitz, the best of the top-class field of participants once again demonstrated their masterly skills and delighted the numerous guests. They were accompanied and musically supported by the Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra Greiz/Reichenbach, which was conducted by the finalists themselves for the first time in the competition's history.

The candidates also impressed the jury in this final round and first, second and third prizes were awarded:

1st prize winner: Carla Usberti (Germany)
2nd prize winner: Antoine Thévoz (Switzerland)
3rd prize winner: Brian Isaacs (USA, currently Berlin)

Free from the tension of the competition, they will once again perform a cross-section of the works from the various rounds at the prizewinners' concert on Saturday, May 17, 2025. First prize winner Carla Usberti will perform the work from the final round, the Viola Concerto in D major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister. The second and third prize winners, Antoine Thévoz and Brian Isaacs, will present themselves to the audience with “Märchenbilder” op. 113 by Robert Schumann and the Solo Sonata op. 31 No. 4 by Paul Hindemith. Tickets for the prizewinners' concert are available at the box office for 18 and 15 euros respectively.