The Khachaturian International Competition goes fully digital, the first classical competition to do so

15th  Khachaturian International Competition in 2019 (Photo Lusi Sargsyan)

The Khachaturian International Competition has been held in Yerevan, Armenia, every year since 2003 and this year, focussing on the violin, would have been the 16th competition. Rather than cancelling it, the competition is going on-line, transforming into a unique digital format, becoming the first of its kind contest in the classical music world.

The competition takes place from 6 to 15 June 2020; selection and the first two rounds are via video with piano accompaniment and the final round will be accompanied by recordings of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, and its principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan [see my review of the orchestra's recent London concert], thus making an interesting new challenge for performers and judges alike.

The deadline to apply is 25 May and musicians from 16 to 32 years of age can participate. Full details from the competition website.