The renewed Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, now in its 29th edition, will begin in Debrecen on 1 August, attracting considerable international interest.
The 29th edition of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Debrecen will take place from 1-4 August. This year’s competition will see ten choirs from two continents competing.
In addition to the Italian, Greek and Catalan choirs, ensembles from Japan and from the Philippines will represent their country. Among the Hungarian choirs, the Ad Libitum Choir and the Zoltán Kodály Mixed Youth Choir will start the prestigious competition.
Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, Director of the main organiser, Kodály Philharmonic and chief music director of the city of Debrecen, expressed his pleasure that „after the success of the Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition, newly launched in 2022, the more than 60-year-old Béla Bartók International Choir Competition will be renewed this year, not only in its structure but also in its image, which, in addition to rethinking the prestige of a major competition with a long tradition, expresses the city’s commitment to quality, cultural innovation and the continued support of young musical talent. ”
The competition and festival will commence on 1 August with the traditional parade, followed by the official opening ceremony in the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen at 7.00pm. The choirs will perform in front of the jury in the Ballroom of the Kölcsey Centre and in the Church of St. Anne. On 2 August at 7.00pm, a gala concert will take place featuring works composed for the competition by Máté Bella, Árpád Barabás, Bence Kutrik, Dániel Dobos and Péter Tóth. These will be performed by the Lautitia Children’s Choir, the Kodály Choir and the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra. The announcement of the winners and the presentation of the grand prize will take place at 3.00pm on 4 August in the main hall of the Kölcsey Centre.
Zoltán Kocsis-Holper, Chairman of the Artistic Committee (members: Ágnes Török, József Nemes) of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, stated that ‘the competition is also a celebration of contemporary choral music, where, in addition to high professional standards, it is important to build professional relationships by getting to know each other’s musical cultures.’
In the international jury of the 2024 Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, chaired by Lorenzo Donati, professor at the Benedetto Marcello University of Music in Venice, conductor Bernie Sherlock, professor at the Dublin University of Arts, conductor Jānis Ozols, artistic director of the International Baltic Sea Choir Competition, conductor Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, professor at the University of Houston, leader of the grand prize choir of the 2018 Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, and Artisjus Award-winning composer Bence Kutrik will take part.
The Béla Bartók International Choir Competition is open to the public, and all events will be available online.
This year’s Béla Bartók International Choir Competition Grand Prize winners will again be invited to compete in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, which will be held in Arezzo, Debrecen, Jurmala, Maribor, Tolosa and Varna, with venues changing annually.
The Béla Bartók International Choral Competition (BBCC) was established in 1961 and is regarded as one of the most esteemed music competitions globally. The professional partner of the main organiser Kodály Filharmonia Debrecen is the Hungarian branch of the world’s largest youth music organisation, Jeunesses Musicales.