We're coming to you LIVE from Genoa, Italy, for the 58th Premio Paganini Violin Competition.

Open to candidates of any nationality aged between 15 and 30, this year's candidates have been chosen from a highly competitive preselection process. A record number of nine violinists have been admitted directly, having recently won first, second, or third prizes in competitions affiliated with the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC). The remaining fifteen candidates earned their place through a highly competitive live preselection process held between April and May in five cities: Genoa, Guangzhou, Seoul, New York, and Berlin.

The first prize winner will receive €30.000, a series of engagements at many prestigious concert venues both national and international. The winner will also have the opportunity to play Paganini's 1743 Guarneri del Gesù violin “Cannone” in a gala concert on October 26, 2025.

The Premio Paganini, whose first edition took place 70 years ago, is hosting concerts at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, Museo del Prado in Madrid, The Guildhall in London including a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Antonio Pappano, and former winner Simon Zhu who played the legendary "Cannone" violin in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III.

 

COMPETITION SCHEDULE:

First Round Day 1 | October 15 at 4 AM (ET), 10 AM (Local Time)

First Round Day 2 | October 16 at 4 AM (ET), 10 AM (Local Time)

Second Round Day 1 | October 18 at 4 AM (ET), 10 AM (Local Time)



Second Round Day 2 | October 19 at 4 AM (ET), 10 AM (Local Time)


Semi Final Round | October 22 at 4 AM (ET), 10 AM (Local Time)


Final Round | October 25 at 9 AM (ET), 3 PM (Local Time)