“Competition Wins No Longer Guarantee Careers” — World Music Leaders Urge Originality and Authenticity
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
World classical music leaders gathered in Seoul for the forum “Beyond the Stage 2025” to argue that winning competitions (콩쿠르) no longer guarantees a musician’s career. Peter Paul Kainrath, president of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), said competitions should be bridges to artists’ destinations, not ends in themselves. He emphasized that performers must tell their own stories beyond notes, valuing individuality, authenticity, and creativity over replication. Panelists urged competitions to become platforms for career development—offering coaching, tailored mentorship, digital communication skills and programming that blends traditional and contemporary repertoire. Korean organizers stressed rethinking how they support artists and helping musicians ask what makes their playing relevant today, who their partners are, and how to cross artistic boundaries.
