Chamber
Music Connects
the World

Seniors & Juniors from 8 to 17 May 2026

At the “Juniors & Seniors” edition of Chamber Music Connects the World, talented youngsters and outstanding artists – their role models – come together as equals. Working together with intense focus on the chamber music, generations grow together, creating dialogues where there are no words, only music. The project is a source of great inspiration for both sides. And those who listen in not only witness the highest levels of virtuosity, but also moments where music builds bridges. Personal, intimate, poignant – this is a festival for all those who love the vibrant encounters of music. Join us as the Juniors & Seniors celebrate chamber music in the Casals Forum.

Application INformation for Juniors

A unique project known as Chamber Music Connects the World takes place in Kronberg (Germany) once every two years. It is next scheduled from 8 – 17 May 2026.

Here, outstanding young musicians (Juniors) join forces with world-famous artists (Seniors) to spend ten days making chamber music together. An intensive period of rehearsals in ensembles made up of different players is followed by several concerts. The gap between the different generations of musicians is thus bridged and ideas can flow freely in both directions.

Established in cooperation with the Crespo Foundation.

Young violinists, viola players and cellists who were BORN IN OR AFTER 1998 can apply to participate. Participants who are selected have to be available during the whole period of the project, for daily rehearsals and/or concerts.

Application Form

Applications must be submitted online by 23^rd NOVEMBER 2025 (18:00) at the latest. Please add following documents to your application:

Recommendation/reference from an established, well-known artist
(Artistic) curriculum vitae with a photograph (minimum size: 1000 x 1500 px, 300 dpi)
Statement explaining why you want to take part in “Chamber Music Connects the World”
Recent uncut video recording on YouTube: please add link(s) to video recordings of the repertoire as requested below, either two separate videos or just one video with two pieces. The videos should date from less than a year ago.

VIOLIN

1. Classical sonata (all movements)

(preferably one of the following sonatas: Mozart B flat major KV 378, Mozart E flat major KV 380, Mozart B flat major KV 454, Mozart A major KV 526 or a Beethoven Sonata, Schubert Fantasy in C major D 934 or Schubert Sonata in A major D 385)AND

2. First movement of a violin concerto from the 19th or 20th century

VIOLA

1. Schumann Marchenbilder or a Brahms sonata or Schubert Arpeggione Sonata (all movements) AND

2. Stamitz Concerto in D major or Hoffmeister Concerto in D major(first and second movements in each case)

CELLO

1. Classical sonata (all movements)(preferably a Beethoven sonata, Beethoven variations or Schubert Arpeggione Sonata)AND

2. Cello concerto by Dvořak, Elgar, Lalo, Prokofiev, Schumann or Shostakovich, or similar

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of the recordings and documentation submitted. Therefore, please ensure that your recording is both musically and technically of high quality.

Only a small number of applicants will be shortlisted and then invited to take part in live auditions. The auditions serve primarily as an opportunity for Kronberg Academy to get to know the ca. 25 shortlisted applicants and their chamber music capabilities.

Applicants who are invited to the auditions will be contacted by 19 December 2025 at the latest.

The audition will be held in Kronberg, Germany on 27^th and 28^th January 2026. The members of the jury will be Gidon Kremer, Raimund Trenkler (Founder and Chairman of the Board of Kronberg Academy) and Friedemann Eichhorn (Director of the Kronberg Academy Study Programmes).

In the audition, applicants will be asked to play chamber music works with members of the Aris Quartet (without a prior rehearsal). Information about the works to be played will be sent with the invitation to the audition.

Thanks to the funding of "Chamber Music Connects the World" by the Crespo Foundation, no participant fee is charged. Participants will receive a subsidy for their travel costs and a fixed allowance for the duration of their stay.

During the preparation phase of “Chamber Music Connects the World”, 23 works for trios to string orchestra (with and without piano) – will be explored.

An appropriate number of ensembles will be formed to perform 23 chamber music works. Each ensemble will include one senior as a teacher and chamber music partner. Each Senior will be in charge of several ensembles.

The intention is for each Junior to have the opportunity to play chamber music with at least two of the Seniors. Juniors will therefore be assigned to the appropriate number of ensembles.

Juniors will be allocated to the different chamber music ensembles and repertoire on the basis of the auditions (see above) and their applications. These decisions will be taken by the Director of Kronberg Academy, Raimund Trenkler, in consultation with the Seniors.

Juniors will be informed about the ensembles in which they will be playing by 2 March 2026 at the latest. They will also be sent copies of the scores.

Rehearsal phase
The ensembles follow a fixed programme of rehearsals, which should give each Junior the opportunity to play in ensembles with at least two Seniors.

Concerts
Chamber Music Connects the World will culminate in eight concerts at the big hall of the Casals Forum, in which all ensembles will perform.

E-Mail: chambermusic(at)kronbergacademy.de

Phone: +49 6173 - 78 33 92

Subject to alterations.