From Audition to the
Dvořák Hall
Rudolfinum, Prague
IMK invites outstanding young pianists, violinists and cellists to perform Beethoven's Triple Concerto with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Nayden Todorov at the 2027 New Year's Concerts in Prague and Teplice.
A message from
Sonja Steindl
Dear Young Musicians,
Music has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember.
Since moving to Vienna in 1972, I have had the privilege of living in a city where classical music is not only a great tradition, but a living part of everyday life. For the past 33 years, through IMK, I have devoted myself to bringing music to the stage and creating opportunities for artists and audiences to meet.
Over the years, I have encountered many exceptionally gifted young musicians, including scholarship students from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) and the Kronberg Academy. Their dedication and extraordinary talent have deeply impressed me, but they have also reminded me of something essential: talent needs opportunity.
For a young musician, there is an enormous difference between studying a concerto and performing it with a professional orchestra in an internationally renowned concert hall. Such an experience can become an important step toward a professional career.
I came to believe that those of us who have spent our lives in classical music have a responsibility to create more of these opportunities for the next generation.
This conviction led me to initiate the IMK Audition—our first project dedicated to discovering outstanding young musicians and giving them opportunities to perform with professional orchestras on distinguished international stages.
To every young musician considering applying: believe in the work you have done, have the courage to share your artistry, and give yourself the opportunity to be heard.
I sincerely hope that IMK Audition will open new doors for talented musicians and help the next generation take meaningful steps onto the professional concert stage.
I look forward to hearing your music and seeing where your musical journey will lead you.
Sonja Steindl, Intendant, IMK
Initiator of IMK Audition
Since 1992,
bridges through music
IMK — Verein für Internationale Musik- und Kulturförderung — was founded in Vienna in 1992 and has become one of Europe's most active classical concert organisations, putting international artists on many of the world's great stages.
Today IMK connects and organises approximately 200 performances each year at renowned concert halls across Europe. As a professional classical concert management agency, IMK partners with music universities around the world, including the Kronberg Academy and the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
Why orchestral opportunities matter
Solo recitals and chamber music concerts are relatively easy to organise. However, for emerging musicians, even many such performances may not be enough to attract wider attention. Orchestral performances are different: they require a professional orchestra, a large concert hall, extensive organisation and significant financial resources. For young musicians, opportunities to perform as soloists with an orchestra are therefore rare.
Even highly talented graduates of prestigious music universities are not automatically given such opportunities. Many turn to international competitions, but even winning a competition may lead to only one orchestral performance, with no guarantee of the next. Recognising this challenge, Ms. Sonja Steindl founded IMK Vienna in 1992 with a clear mission: to create more high-quality and accessible orchestral performance opportunities across Europe.
Schwingungen at the Musikverein
As one of its signature projects, IMK launched the Schwingungen Concert Series at the Musikverein Golden Hall in Vienna in 2006, inviting three to four international orchestras each year. Over the past twenty years, IMK has successfully organised more than 58 concerts at the Golden Hall, with further performances already scheduled through 2028. Through this work IMK has developed unique expertise and extensive know-how in organising orchestral performances at this world-renowned venue.
From music education to the professional stage
Music education should no longer end in the classroom. It must evolve into a system that connects talented young musicians directly to real performance opportunities. Together with its partner universities, IMK is working to make this change a reality — building a bridge from music education to the professional stage. The IMK International Concerto Audition is the next step on that bridge.
Two Concerts. Two Cities. One Exceptional Opportunity.
The three selected soloists will be invited to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56 with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in two distinguished New Year’s concerts.
The first performance will take place in Teplice as part of the orchestra’s official New Year’s Concert, followed by a second appearance at the prestigious Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
Presented in 2027, the bicentenary year of Beethoven’s death, these performances offer the selected musicians a rare opportunity to appear as soloists with a professional European orchestra on two distinguished stages in the Czech Republic.
Two cities. Two performances. Three selected soloists.
One remarkable step onto the international stage.
Teplice, Czech Republic
- Orchestra
- North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
- Conductor
- Nayden Todorov
- Note
- Exact date and venue to be confirmed with the selected musicians
- Website
- severoceskafilharmonie.cz ↗
Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum
- Orchestra
- North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
- Conductor
- Nayden Todorov
- Occasion
- Beethoven 200 — anniversary year of the composer's death
- Website
- rudolfinum.cz ↗
International jury
All audition videos are reviewed by an international jury of conductors and distinguished instrumentalists. Each juror evaluates every applicant independently; the three soloists are selected on the combined results. Click on a juror to read their message.
It is a great pleasure to welcome the launch of the IMK International Concerto Audition.
For a young musician, one of the most important steps in artistic development is the opportunity to perform as a soloist with a professional orchestra. It is on stage, through listening, communicating and creating music together, that artistry truly comes alive.
I am especially pleased that this audition offers talented young musicians the opportunity to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the New Year’s Concert in the magnificent Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
I warmly congratulate IMK on creating this meaningful initiative and wish all applicants inspiration, courage and success.
I look forward to meeting the selected soloists and welcoming the New Year together through Beethoven’s music on the stage of Dvořák Hall in Prague.
Nayden Todorov
Conductor
IMK International Concerto Audition – New Year’s Concert
Dear Young Musicians,
As Artistic Director of IMK and a cellist myself, I am very pleased to welcome you to the IMK International Concerto Audition.
Throughout my life as a performer and educator, I have come to believe that young musicians grow not only through study and practice, but through the experience of standing on stage, communicating with a professional orchestra, and sharing their music with an audience.
This is why the IMK Audition is especially meaningful to me. It is designed to give talented young musicians a genuine professional opportunity—an opportunity to perform with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and to appear at the New Year’s Concert in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
As a member of the Cello Jury, I look forward to discovering young cellists with not only excellent technique, but also individuality, musical imagination, and something meaningful to communicate through their music.
I encourage you to take this opportunity with confidence and courage. Your talent deserves not only to be recognized, but to be heard on the concert stage.
I look forward to hearing your music and wish every applicant a rewarding and inspiring experience.
Prof. Meehae Ryo
Artistic Director, IMK
Cello Jury Member
IMK International Concerto Audition
Further jury members will be announced on this page. Jury decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the results.
Video audition, open worldwide
The IMK International Concerto Audition is open to pianists, violinists and cellists. Applicants are selected through a video audition. Each applicant must submit an audition video of up to 20 minutes and a completed application form. The audition is evaluated by an international jury of conductors and distinguished instrumentalists.
Instruments
Piano · Violin · Cello. One soloist is selected for each instrument to form the trio for Beethoven's Triple Concerto.
Submission
An audition video of up to 20 minutes (Google Drive link) and the completed online application form, together with the €100 audition fee.
Jury
An international jury of conductors and distinguished instrumentalists evaluates all videos. Results are announced in the first week of December 2026.
General Provisions
The IMK International Concerto Audition is an international audition open to musicians of all nationalities. All judging is conducted by online video submission (Google Drive link). English is the official language of the audition.
Instruments & Repertoire
Piano · Violin · Cello. Repertoire requirements for each instrument are set out in detail on the Repertoire tab.
Age
There is no age limit. All applicants are judged by the same artistic standard.
Application
Applications are made through the official website. An application is valid only when the application form is completed and the audition fee of €100 is paid. The audition fee is non-refundable, except where the audition is cancelled by the organisers. Applications close on 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET.
Video Submission
- The audition video may not exceed 20 minutes in total.
- The performer's hands, instrument and face must be clearly visible throughout the performance.
- The video must be a continuous, unedited recording of each submitted work. Only minor technical adjustments (e.g. trimming before and after the performance) are permitted.
- Video and audio quality must be sufficient for the jury to clearly evaluate the performance.
- Resolution: Full HD (1920 × 1080). 4K is not required. The video file must not exceed 2 GB in size (MP4 recommended).
- Videos recorded on or after 1 January 2026 will be accepted.
- The use of AI-generated performances, deepfakes, synthesised audio, or any technology that materially alters the performance is strictly prohibited.
- The video must be uploaded to Google Drive and shared as a link set to "Anyone with the link can view". File name: Instrument_LastName_FirstName_Country.mp4
Judging
Performances are evaluated comprehensively on musicality, technique, interpretation, expression and overall artistry by an international jury of conductors and distinguished instrumentalists. The decisions of the jury are final. No appeals are accepted.
Selection & Concerts
Three soloists — one pianist, one violinist and one cellist — are selected. The selected musicians perform Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56 with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Nayden Todorov at the New Year's Concert in Teplice (1 January 2027) and at the New Year's Concert in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague (3 January 2027). Details of rehearsals, travel and accommodation are communicated directly to the selected musicians.
Copyright & Personal Data
Applicants consent to the use of submitted videos and photographs for the promotion of the audition and the concerts. Personal data is used solely for the administration of the audition.
Disqualification
Submission of false information, violation of the video rules, misconduct, copyright infringement or violation of these regulations may result in disqualification without refund of the audition fee.
Agreement
By submitting an application, the applicant is deemed to have read and agreed to all regulations of the IMK International Concerto Audition.
Audition repertoire
The audition video may not exceed 20 minutes in total. Applicants perform one complete movement from a concerto of their own choice (free choice of repertoire). The movement must be performed in its entirety, from beginning to end, and recorded in one continuous take without any editing.
Piano
Maximum 20 minutes- One complete movement from a piano concerto of the applicant's choice, performed in its entirety from beginning to end.
- Accompaniment: piano reduction (second piano) or orchestra.
- When performing with piano accompaniment, standard cuts or reductions of orchestral tutti passages are permitted. No cuts to the solo part.
- If the movement contains a cadenza, the cadenza must be included in the performance.
Violin
Maximum 20 minutes- One complete movement from a violin concerto of the applicant's choice, performed in its entirety without arbitrary cuts, omissions or edits to the solo part.
- Accompaniment: piano reduction or orchestra.
- When performing with piano accompaniment, standard cuts of orchestral tutti passages are permitted.
- If the movement contains a cadenza, the cadenza must be included in the performance.
Cello
Maximum 20 minutes- One complete movement from a cello concerto of the applicant's choice, performed in its entirety without cuts to the solo part.
- Accompaniment: piano reduction or orchestra.
- When performing with piano accompaniment, standard cuts of orchestral tutti passages are permitted.
- If the movement contains a cadenza, the cadenza must be included in the performance.
General notes
- Works may be performed from memory or with the score.
- Each work must be recorded as one continuous, unedited take.
- Please state the composer, concerto and movement in the application form exactly as performed.
- The jury reserves the right to disregard any portion of the video exceeding 20 minutes.
Three steps to the stage
Prepare your video
Record your audition video (max. 20 minutes) and upload it to Google Drive. Set sharing to "Anyone with the link can view" and copy the link.
Pay the audition fee
Pay the non-refundable fee of €100 by card through our secure payment page. Keep the payment confirmation email — you will enter the payer's name in the form.
Pay €100 audition feeSubmit the application form
Complete the online form below with your details, biography, photo, Google Drive link and payment reference. You will receive a confirmation email once submitted.
Open form in new windowPayments are processed securely by Stripe to IMK, Vienna. All major cards are accepted in any currency; the charge is made in euros.
Before you submit, please check
- Your video is no longer than 20 minutes and the Drive link opens without a permission request.
- Your fee has been paid and you have the confirmation from Stripe.
- Your biography (max. 200 words) and a recent photo are ready to upload.
- You are available in the Czech Republic from late December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Frequently asked
Is there an age limit?
What should I play in my audition video?
Can I apply as a pre-formed trio?
Are travel and accommodation covered?
Is the audition fee refundable?
How will I know my application was received?
Questions about the audition?
We are happy to help.
For all enquiries regarding the IMK International Concerto Audition — eligibility, the application form, payment, or the concerts — please contact the IMK office in Vienna. We reply in English, German and Korean.
Please include your name, instrument and country in your first message so that we can help you quickly.
1030 Vienna, Austria
(Wiener Konzerthaus)
Organised by IMK Vienna in cooperation with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Concert enquiries in the Czech Republic: severoceskafilharmonie.cz