International Saxophone Competition in Nova Gorica – SAXGO25
International Saxophone Meeting SAXGO has a long-standing tradition that dates back to 2001 when it was first held in Krško under the title International Saxophone Competition “Alpe – Jadran – Donava”. In 2003, the festival was relocated to Nova Gorica where it has remained to this day. Over the years, it has hosted competitors from all over Europe, i.e. Belgium, Finland, France, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain as well as other countries, like Australia, Chile, Philippines, Israel, Canada, Japan etc. The professional jury has included some famous names from the saxophone world, namely Claude Delangle (F), Eugene Rousseau (USA), Jean-Yves Fourmeau (F), Jean-Denis Michat (F), Guillaume Orti (F), Peter Epstein (USA), Daniel Gauthier (D), Fabrizio Mancuso (F), Saša Nestorović (CRO), Marcus Weiss (CH), Arno Bornkamp (NL), Dragan Sremec (CRO), Steven Mauk (USA), Gordan Tudor (CRO), Gerard McChrystal (GB) and Debra Richtmeyer (USA), as well as Slovenian saxophone players, teachers and composers like Lev Pupis, Matej Šarc, Nenad Firšt, Janez Matičič, Pavle Merkù, Miha Rogina, Simon Krečič, Matjaž Drevenšek, Betka Bizjak Kotnik and Dejan Prešiček.
Application start:
1st March 2025
Application dead-line:
15th June 2025
Public draw (LIVE-STREAM):
3rd November 2025
This year’s jury will consist of world-renowned teachers and concert performers, who have completed their careers, among other things, by winning first place in our classical saxophone competition. The enviable jury of six former winners and a Slovenian composer will be chaired by the world eminence of modern saxophonism, Prof. Claude Delangle, an integral member and part of the SAXGO story since its very beginnings, which undoubtedly gives the entire competition and organization a global dimension and significance. We will also be joined by Nicolas Arsenijevic (F), Etienne Boussard (F), Jan Gričar (SI), Joonatan Rautiola (FIN), Miha Rogina (SI), Miho Sumiya (JPN) and composer Nina Šenk (SI).
VIDEO PRESELECTION (application dead-line: 15th June 2025)
Video recording with piano accompaniment (in one piece):
- Jacques Ibert (1890–1962):
Concertino da camera for alto saxophone and eleven instruments
II. Larghetto – Animato molto (Leduc)
QUALIFICATIONS
Compulsory piece:
- Aleksandra Naumovski Potisk (1973):
TBA for alto saxophone and piano – new (available from KUD Cona8 and Hartman muzikalije in May 2025)
One piece from the following list:
- Johannes Brahms (1933—1897):
Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1, I. Allegro appassionato (transcription of your choice in the original key) - César Franck (1822–1890):
Sonata in A major, FWV 8, III. Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia, IV. Allegretto poco mosso (transcription of your choice in the original key) - Maurice Ravel (1875—1937):
Sonatina (transcription of your choice in the original key)
SEMI-FINAL (maximum 10 candidates)
Compulsory piece:
- Larisa Vrhunc (1967):
Sam s seboj/Alone with myself for alto saxophone and electronics – new (available at DSS in May 2025)
One piece from the following list:
- William Albright (1891—1971): Sonata (Peters)
- Karol Beffa (1973): Harlem (Billaudot)
- Matej Bonin (1986): Momentum II (DSS)
- Vincent David (1974): L’éveil de la toupie (Billaudot)
- Edison Denisov (1929—1996): Sonata (Leduc)
- Alfred Desenclos (1912—1971): Prélude, cadence et finale (Leduc)
- Milko Lazar (1965): Sonata št. 1 (DSS)
- Lojze Lebič (1934): Invokacija / à Primož Ramovš (DSS)
- Bruno Mantovani (1974): L’incandescence de la bruine (Lemoine)
- Janez Matičič (1926—2022): Repliques (DSS)
- Lucie Robert (1936): Cadenza (Billaudot)
- Uroš Rojko (1954): Godba (DSS)
- Fazil Say (1970): Suita, op. 55 (Schott)
- Nina Šenk (1982): Impetus (DSS)
- Gregory Wanamaker (1968): of Light and Shadows (Gregory Wanamaker Music)
- Takashi Yoshimatsu (1953): Fuzzy Bird Sonata (Billaudot)
FINAL (maximum 4 candidates)
Solo compositions with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
Compulsory piece:
- Nina Šenk (1982):
TBA for Saxophone and orchestra – new (available from June 2025)
One piece from the following list:
- Aleksander Glazunov (1865—1936):
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, op. 109 (Bärenreiter) - Thierry Escaich (1965):
Le Chant des ténèbres for soprano saxophone and string orchestra (Billaudot) - Lars-Erik Larsson (1908—1986):
Concerto for alto saxophone and string orchestra, op. 14 (Gehrmans)
Please ensure that you adhere to the following rules during the competition.
- The 10th International Saxophone Competition SAXGO25 will take place from 24 to 28 November 2025 at Nova Gorica Cultural Centre (Kulturni dom Nova Gorica). The exception is the first selection round (the video pre-selection).
- Applicants age limit: born in 1994 and younger.
- The winner of the 1st prize at the previous International Saxophone Competitions in Nova Gorica cannot apply again for this competition.
- Candidates upload their recorded video to the application form for the purposes of the video pre-selection (via Google Drive). Registration is only valid upon the payment of the registration fee (40 €).
- Candidates selected for the second selection round will be notified by email by Tuesday, 1st July 2025. The order of the competition will be determined by a public draw (LIVE-STREAM) on Monday, 3rd November 2025.
- An official accompanist is available to the competitors.
- Before the competition, the competitor is obliged to show an identification document and the proof of payment of the registration fee (140 €).
- Competitors will be able to practice in the Nova Gorica Music School premises in the morning. Before the performance the the wardrobes and the small hall of Nova Gorica Cultural Center will be at their disposal.
- The finalists will have a rehearsal with the orchestra in Ljubljana (the organizer will provide the transportation).
- The organizer reserves all rights for public recording, broadcasting and publication on audio and/or video recordings.
- By registering for the competition, the competitor agrees to the publication of her/his personal data (name and surname, date and place of birth, musical education, etc.) on the official website, social networks and program booklets and other promotional materials of the competition. By completing the application form, the candidate also agrees to the rules of the competition.
- All participants in the competition receive a certificate of participation. The awardees receive a diploma. It is not possible to appeal the decisions of the jury.
24th November – Monday: QUALIFICATIONS
25th November – Tuesday: QUALIFICATIONS
26th November – Wednesday: SEMI-FINALS
27th November – Thursday: REHEARSAL WITH ORCHESTRA – Rehearsal of the finalists in Ljubljana with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
28th November – Friday: FINAL – with RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conductor Davorin Mori
1st prize:
- Cash prize in the amount of € 5,000 (gross) by MONG – Municipality of Nova Gorica
2nd prize:
- Cash prize in the amount of € 3,000 (gross) by MONG – Municipality of Nova Gorica
3rd prize:
- Cash prize in the amount of € 2,000 (gross) by MONG – Municipality of Nova Gorica
… and many other practical rewards from our loyal regular partners such as Selmer Paris, Vandoren Paris, Roberto Buttus Riparazioni Strumenti Musicali, Jeunesses Musicales Slovenia,BG France, Rousseau Music Products, HiT, etc.
Partial registration fee (for the first selection round, pre-selection): € 40 *
Total participation fee: € 180 €
* If the candidate is selected for the next selection round (LIVE qualifications at the organization’s headquarters), she/he must pay additional € 140 to the total registration fee (€ 180) to access the qualifications. Payment must be made by October 1, 2025.
One rehearsal (30 min) with the official accompanist: € 40
Payment method – bank transfer to the Nova Gorica Arts Centre:
UJP (Public Payment Office), Nova Gorica Branch
SWIFT: BSLJSI2X
IBAN: SI56012846030358603
Reference: SI99
The number of participants is limited. Places will be accepted according to the date of receipt of the completed registration e-form. In case of participant cancellation, the participation fee won’t be returned. The registration for the competition is valid only after the full registration fee is paid.
Jury:
Claude Delangle (F) – President
Nina Šenk (SLO) – Composer
Nicolas Arsenijevic (F)
Etienne Boussard (F)
Jan Gričar (SLO)
Joonatan Rautiola (FIN)
Miha Rogina (SLO)
Miho Sumiya (JPN)
Orchestra for the finals:
RTV Slovenia Symphonic Orchestra
Davorin Mori (SI), conductor
Director of the competition:
Matjaž Drevenšek (SI)
Accompanying pianists:
Sae Lee (JPN/SLO)
Irén Seleljo (HU)
Project manager:
Pavla Jarc
Project coordinator and contact person:
Barbara Poša Belingar
- The Jury will be composed of its president Claude Delangle (F) and six member Nicolas Arsenijevic (F), Etienne Boussard (F), Jan Gričar (SI), Joonatan Rautiola (FIN), Miha Rogina (SI), Miho Sumiya (JPN) and composer Nina Šenk (SI).
- If a Juror is absent because of force majeure and the Jury cannot assign points as a result, the President of the Jury shall decide.
- Jurors shall assess the competitors by assigning points ranging from 1 to 100 (where 50 points stands for acceptable performance).
- The final ranking shall be made on the basis of the average of all points won in the Preliminaries, the Semifinals—the results of which will not be officially published until the end of the Competition—as well as of the points won in the Finale.
- If a Juror is related to a competitor or is his/her current teacher, the Juror may not assess the competitor.
- The President, acting on behalf of the Jury, may interrupt the performance of a competitor due to time restraints.
- The Jury may set out fewer than the maximum number of participants for the Semifinals and the Finale.
- The Jury’s decisions shall be considered final and indisputable. Competitors may ask to talk to the Jury after the competition.
Competitors cover their own travel, accommodation and food costs.
Coordinator of the project:
Barbara Poša Belingar
Contact:
T + 386 5 335 40 13
M + 386 41 775 089
E pr@kulturnidom-ng.si
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2022
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2018
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2016
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2013
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2011
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2009
International Saxophone Competition – SAXGO 2007
II. Mednarodno tekmovanje saksofonistov »Alpe – Jadran – Donava« in 2. Mednarodno tekmovanje saksofonistov za nagrado mesta Nova Gorica 2003