Please introduce in a few words your competition, its history and legacy.
Are there any novelties /new aspects of your competition that you have introduced or will introduce? Reflecting Aurèle Nicolet’s specific wish to support Chinese flutists, we offer a local preselection and reserve 15 dedicated spots for Chinese competitors within a 60-contestant pool, ensuring a strong platform for domestic talent. Second, to push artistic boundaries, we have commissioned a new, mandatory work for the semi-final round from the renowned composer and flutist Gergely Ittzés, a professor at Tianjin Juilliard, a pioneer in contemporary flute music.
Qiling Chen: Our journey began in 2006, when the competition was founded as the Beijing Nicolet International Flute Competition: to celebrate the 80th birthday of our beloved teacher, the Swiss master Aurèle Nicolet. The connection runs very deep. Professor Nicolet had such affection for China and his students here that he entrusted my brother, Sanqing Chen, and me with his entire personal library of flute music—a priceless collection. This gift was a symbol of his love and his belief in us. I recall a huge celebration for him in Freiburg, where he was a professor, and upon returning from Beijing, the idea crystallized: we must create a competition in his name to honor him and continue his life’s work. The first two editions were held in Beijing, and from the 2014 edition onwards, we relocated to Guangzhou, bringing his library with us to form the heart of the Swiss-Chinese Flute Center here.
What are your expectations for the membership in the WFIMC?
We expect the WFIMC membership to significantly elevate the competition’s international profile, media presence and artistic standards, and provide our laureates with enhanced global career opportunities through the federation’s network.
Tell us a little about your city?
Guangzhou, our hometown and the location of our alma mater, the Xinghai Conservatory, has significantly expanded its cultural profile. The city now hosts major events like the Guangzhou International Music Festival, led by conductor Yu Long, and attracts artists like Yo-Yo Ma for educational projects. This growth, combined with the city’s international character and Cantonese heritage, provides a great backdrop for an international competition, along with a very serious commitment to the arts.
New Member Competitions
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