The Carl Nielsen International Competition (CNIC) has announced its three winners for 2019: Johan Dalene (18, Sweden – violin), Blaz Sparovec (24, Slovenia – clarinet) and Joséphine Olech (24, France – flute).
Held in Odense, Denmark, the competition honours the memory of composer, conductor and violinist Carl Nielsen. This year – for the first time – all three disciplines were held concurrently.
Dalene, Sparovec and Olech each receive €12,000 as well as a solo recording with the Odense Symphony Orchestra for Orchid Classics. They will further benefit from concert bookings with ensembles such as Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony and Swedish Radio Orchestra.
Meanwhile second prizes were won by Marie-Astrid Hulot (21, France – violin), Aron Chiesa (22, Italy – clarinet) and Marianna Julia Żołnacz (19, Poland – flute.) They each received €10,000.
“What has been special about this competition is the spirit in which each jury member has felt the same passion for encouraging the young musicians to find their own voice and individuality,” said head of the clarinet jury Paul Meyer. “Most important is to be convinced that what we do is essential in helping the next generation. These are the corner stones of musical life which are also true to the spirit of Carl Nielsen.”
CNIC videos were streamed more than 700,000 times during the competition, with viewers in 154 countries. The footage is available to view through medici.tv.
