The competition’s namesake, violin virtuoso Ibolyka Gyarfas, was born in Budapest in 1901 and displayed extraordinary talent from a young age: she made her first public concert appearance at the age of seven and gave her Berlin debut at ten. In the years that followed, she fulfilled numerous international engagements, yet Berlin always held a very special place in her heart.

When she passed away in Canada in 1986, she bequeathed $48,000 to the Berlin University of the Arts; the interest from this sum funds the current prize money. However, this bequest is subject to a remarkable condition: “Should Germany, however, become Nazi, the $48,000 must be returned to cancer research in Ottawa, Canada.” The competition is held biennially among violin students at the Berlin University of the Arts and the Hanns Eisler School of Music.

The competition is funded by the investment income from the bequest of Ibolyka Gyarfas, which is held by the Berlin University of the Arts Foundation. The Foundation thanks its supporters for their generous commitment, especially those who have donated their estates.

Round 1
Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 10 a.m.
Kleiner Vortragssaal, Bundesallee 1-12

Round 2 / Finals
Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 12 p.m.
Kleiner Vortragssaal, Bundesallee 1-12

Concert by the Prize Winners
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Joseph Joachim Concert Hall, Bundesallee 1-12

• one longer movement or several shorter movements from a Baroque work, or an entire Baroque work for solo violin
• a complete sonata for violin and piano
• a violin concerto from Beethoven onward

The total prize sumfor 2026 is 3,500 euros. The jury will decide how the prize money is to be distributed.

In addition, the Collegium Hungaricum has offered to host a follow-up concert for one of the prize winners on January 28, 2027.

Violin students at the UdK Berlin and the HfM Hanns Eisler Berlin whose primary instructors have given their consent to their participation in the competition are eligible to enter. All prize winners are required to participate in the prize winners’ concert. This requires that a piano accompanist also be available on that date.

Universität der Künste Berlin
Faculty of Music, Arts Administration Office
Laura Biederstedt

Bundesallee 1-12, Room 112
10719 Berlin

E-Mail: laura.biederstedt@intra.udk-berlin.de
Tel: 030 3185 2090