An Iconic Competition Steeped in History
Bordeaux has become the city of the String Quartet!
Every three years since 1999, the city has hosted one of the most prestigious and demanding International String Quartet Competitions. An ideal springboard for young quartet musicians, the Competition aims to build a bridge between emerging virtuosos and the greatest musical stages. Inherited from the Évian Competition, it has revealed a remarkable number of ensembles at the dawn of brilliant careers. The Prazák (1978), Hagen (1983), Ysaÿe (1988), Belcea (1999), Ébène (2003), Schumann (2013) and Leonkoro (2022) quartets were all laureates here.
In 2022, the tenth edition of the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition took place—the first under the direction of the Modigliani Quartet and Julien Kieffer—unanimously hailed as a remarkable vintage. A distinguished jury and a large audience crowned a major winner: the Leonkoro Quartet (Germany).
2025: A Vibrant 11th Edition at the Heart of a Multifaceted Festival
The 11th edition of the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition was held from 19 to 25 May 2025, in close partnership with the Opéra National de Bordeaux. Under the artistic direction of the Modigliani Quartet, ten of the most talented young quartets were invited to share their passion for chamber music. It offered the public a rare opportunity to discover the great artists of tomorrow and to experience the intensity of an international competition.
As every year, the final brought together a professional committee of 20 members (directors of major venues, renowned festivals, and international competitions), tasked with advising the laureates and fostering high-level professional exchange.
Prizewinners of the 2025 Edition
After a week filled with emotion, effort, and joy, we are delighted to present the prizewinners of this 11th edition of the Vibre! Competition:
First Grand Prize, Contemporary Work Prize, Young Audience Prize, and Audience Prize:
Opus13 (Norway – Sweden)
Second Prize: Terra String Quartet (United States)
Third Prize: Arete Quartet (South Korea)
A Festival That Continues to Innovate
Alongside the Competition, the Vibre! Festival continues to grow, offering concerts with some of the world’s greatest quartets, emerging talents, as well as meetings and outreach initiatives designed to give the widest possible audience access to the extraordinary repertoire of the string quartet.
Vibre! also places itself at the heart of the chamber-music ecosystem by highlighting the essential work of composers, luthiers, and bow makers, without whom no concert could exist.
