Faced with a huge range of competitions, many of which award a large number of prizes, Jean-Marie Fournier decided to create a competition based on very different criteria and with only one winner.
High-level competition
The Monaco World Music Masters competition offers talented artists, all previously finalists in an international competition, the chance to compete against each other. Founded in 1989 by Jean-Marie Fournier, who also owns the Salle Gaveau in Paris, this musical competition draws its inspiration from sporting events in which the world’s best players compete for first place.
Strict selection criteria
Competitors are entered into one of three categories – piano, voice or violin – and are selected according to extremely strict criteria. Already finalists in another international competition, they must have an extensive, varied repertoire (between four and five hours of music) and the determination needed to compete in a rapid succession of highly-competitive rounds.
A single prize
To avoid any confusion between the winner and the other competitors, a single prize – the Prince Rainier III Prize, worth €30,000 – is awarded at the end of the competition. The winner is also offered the chance to embark on a concert tour in France and around the world.
Only one artist can win each competition. However, all competitors, even finalists, who fail to win the competition are eligible to enter the competition a second time.
A multi-disciplinary jury
Rather than being composed simply of soloists or teachers, who tend to favor their own students, the jury’s members include concert performers, festival directors, critics and even a non-professional, whose vote carries the same weight as the other members of the jury and who, in many ways, represents the public.
Giving competitors the time to reveal their talent
To ensure that competitors have the time to demonstrate every facet of their abilities, the first round is similar to a real recital.
