Tomoko Akasaka
Viola Jury 2025
Biography
Tomoko Akasaka studied at the Haute École de musique de Genève with Nobuko Imai. She won First Prize at the 12th Japan Classical Music Competition and Third Prize at the ARD Competition in Munich in 2004. Since then, she leads an international career, both as a soloist with numerous orchestras and as a chamber musician with artists such as Daniel Hope, Gidon Kremer, Philippe Jaroussky, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Mischa Maisky, and the Jerusalem, Ébène and Kuss quartets. She has been Professor at the Münster Academy of Music since 2019.
August 2025
Events

PROGRAMME
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Compulsory concerto:
L. Albisetti: “Nouvel Élan” (1st Prize of the 2024 Composition Competition) (12’)
Recording available here. Score will be sent to candidates selected for the Online Recital.
- One concerto at choice from the following list:
- K. Penderecki: Viola concerto (21’)
- S. Beamish: Viola concerto N°2 “The Seafarer” (30’)
- B. Bartók: Viola concerto (Bartok/Dellamaggiore) (23’)
- P. Hindemith: Viola concerto “Der Schwanendreher” (26’)
With the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
NB: The Final Round is structured as a concert in two parts. In the first part, all three finalists will perform the compulsory concerto. After an intermission, each finalist will perform their chosen concerto.

The eight Semi-Finalists will perform the following works:
- W. A. Mozart: Divertimento KV563 (movt 1-3)
- L. Berio: Naturale, for viola, percussion and electronic
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GUEST ARTISTS
Mozart Divertimento
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Berio Naturale
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
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Open to the public
Sessions at 16:00 & 19:00

As part of the Semi-Finals, candidates are invited to submit a project that highlights their artistic personality. This project may take a variety of forms, including a purely musical proposal, a tour concept, or even a collaboration with other art forms such as literature, the visual arts, or dance.
The objective of this assignment is to provide the Jury and the public with a deeper understanding of the candidates’ artistic vision and the motivations that drive them in their musical journey. The project must be both engaging and realistic, and be suitable for a festival, concert season, theatre or tour.
Candidates have one month to prepare and develop their artistic project from the announcement of the semifinalists to the start of the competition in Geneva. Two individual online work sessions are organised with the Competition’s coaches: Eugénie Guibert and Andreas Vierziger. The purpose of these individual sessions is to answer candidates’ questions and guide them in the development of their proposal. Subsequently, candidates must submit a presentation of their project in the form of a text, PowerPoint presentation, video or any other medium.
Upon arrival in Geneva, each candidate is required to defend their project during a public interview, conducted by journalist Charlotte Gardner. The Jury will then assess each project based on its artistic interest, originality and relevance to the artist's early career.
Open to the public (free entry)
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Conservatoire de Genève
Place de Neuve 5
1204 Genève

The eight semi-finalists perform a 50-60 minute recital at free choice
- Repertoire may include works for solo viola and/or for viola and piano.
- Works already performed in the Online Recital may not be repeated.
NB: Candidates are encouraged to choose a varied, cohesive programme that highlights their musical personality and interpretative skills. They will need to provide a programme note (due after the preselection stage).
Open to the public
Sessions at 4PM & 7PM
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Salle Franz Liszt, Conservatoire de Genève
Place de Neuve 5
1204 Genève

SESSION 1 - MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- D. Fujikura : Engraving
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 2 - MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter Op. 39
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Hommage a John Cage, György Kroó in memoriam, For Imre Földes at 60
SESSION 3 - TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
Eric Seohyun Moon, 28 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- T. Murail: C’est un Jardin secret
SESSION 4 - TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flt Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Facsar
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages - In Nomine - all’ongherese
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Facsar
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- D. Fujikura: Engraving
SESSION 5 - WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
Jason Sheng-Chieh Lan, 27 years old
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
Kiarra Saito-Beckman, 26 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Prestissimo con sordino
SESSION 6 - WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Loop, Facsar
- R. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 94
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- L. Berio: Sequenza VI
Wassili Wohlgemuth, 24 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Doloroso-Garzulyeknak , Kromatikus feleselos, Perpetuum mobile
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 7 - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
Nicolas Garrigues, 26 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
SESSION 8 - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Loop, Lamento
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Jaume Angelès Fité, 29 years old
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- M. Jarrell: Some leaves II…
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 9 - FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungă, Loop
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- A. Arad: Tikvah for solo Viola
SESSION 10 - FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Jelek I, In memoriam Blum Tamás, Carenza Jig
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – The Carenza Jig, In memoriam Tamás Blum, Virág - Zsigmondy Dénesnek
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- A. Arad: Tikvah for solo Viola
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 11 - SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Prestissimo con sordino, Lamento
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – The Carenza Jig, Panaszos nóta
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Ami-Louise Johnsson, 24 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter Op. 39
SESSION 12 - SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – In Nomine - all’ongherese, Vagdalkozos
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter, Op. 39
Cassandra Teissedre, 23 years old
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Lamento, Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto