International Competition Young Virtuoso 2026

From 12. to 15. February 2026, the 32nd International Competition Young Virtuoso 2026. was held at the Music Academy in Zagreb, organized by the Music school Pavla Markovca. This prestigious competition, dedicated to young musical talents – pianists and violinists – has for decades held an important place on the Croatian and international music scene.

The final concert and award ceremony took place on 15. February 2026. in the Blagoja Berse Hall, attracting great interest from both the audience and music professionals.

The Young Virtuoso Zagreb competition was founded in 1994. at the Pavla Markovac Music School on the initiative of Professor Jelica Kuzmin, originally under the name Etudes and Scales for Small Hands. In 1998, it became known as the International Competition Etudes and Scales, and in 2014 it adopted its current name.

Initially conceived as a school competition for piano students from elementary music schools in Zagreb County, the event soon outgrew its original framework. Violinists joined as early as the following year, and the program gradually expanded. In 1996, the number of categories increased, age limits were extended, and technical requirements were raised, giving the competition its international character.

A distinctive feature of the competition is its carefully designed program, which includes, among other elements, the mandatory performance of an étude by a Croatian composer, specially commissioned for each edition. Each year, the prescribed works are published in printed sheet music editions, further supporting the development of domestic musical literature.

Since its founding, the competition has been held under the patronage of the City Assembly of Zagreb and with the continuous support of sponsors. This year’s main musical sponsor was EURO-UNIT, in partnership with Yamaha and Lion Style.

The high organizational standards are the result of the dedicated work of the school staff and the Organizing Committee, led by the President and Principal, Professor Niko Marušić. Thanks to their commitment, Young Virtuosos once again confirmed its status as one of the most important competitions for young musicians in the region.