Philharmonie de Paris to Host Lutherie Competition

The organization introduced an international instrument-making competition exclusively dedicated to the cello, to occur from January 19 - 23, 2022

c. 1710 Matteo Goffriller cello (Photo credit: Claude Germain)

The Talent Makers International Lutherie Competition will be held during Philharmonie de Paris' 10th String Quartet Biennial, and will continue Paris' legacy of hosting top-tier instrument-making competitions. 

The contest will involve two main categories, one for professional luthiers termed "Talents of Today," and the other for student luthiers still learning the trade at various schools and training centers termed "Talents of Tomorrow."

The jury will be chaired by Jean-Jacques Kantorow, and the list of six jury members will be released this September. Half of the jury will be musicians, and the other half will be professional luthiers or recognized experts in the craft. 

Entrants for the "Talents of Today" category will need to provide proof of their professional luthier status and may conduct their craft under any legal status. They can choose what instrument they wish to replicate for the contest as long as both contemporary and classical cello repertoire can be performed on it in normal conditions. 

Those to apply for "Talents of Tomorrow," need to have completed at least two years of training. Students will compete under their own name but on behalf of their educational institution. 

The cello to be replicated by the student contestants will be the c.1710 Matteo Gofriller cello, which is part of the collection of instruments at Paris' Musée de la musique. In both categories, the cello can be crafted individually or collaboratively. 

There are four rounds for each category, both with first, second, and third prizes, plus jury and audience choice awards. Prizes include a €15,000  purchase of the first prize cello in the "Talents of Tomorrow" category by Musée de la musique. 

Applications are now open and will close on November 29, 2021 at 12 PM CET. 

For more information and to apply, click here.