About

The 21st International Harp Contest in Israel

The 21st International Harp Contest in Israel will open on 1st September 2021.

54 contestants from 22 countries will participate in the First stage that will take place between 1 – 5 September. That stage will be conducted remotely by means of recordings and streamed on the Internet. Twenty-four contestants will pass to the Second Stage.

The Second Stage will be conducted as well remotely between the dates 12 – 14 September. 9 contestants will then pass to the Semi-Final Stage.

The Semi-Final and the final Stages will take place in magnificent Old Acre (Akko), a city declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and most famous for the co-existence between its Jewish and Arab citizens.

Nine musicians and harpists from Israel and abroad will serve at the International Jury of the 21st International Harp Contest in Israel.

The International Harp Contest in Israel, so closely identified with King David, was the first competition ever in the world held for this instrument. The Contest was initiated in 1959 by A.Z. Propes and is most privileged and honored to have Maestro Zubin Mehta as its Honorary President.

The Music Committee of the International Harp Contest in Israel, as well as its Musical Director Ms. Julia Rovinsky, the principal harpist of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, all volunteer their services, talent, and time for the success of the Contest.

The Contest is encouraging original compositions for the harp. Its commissions for every contest an Israeli work to which the Propes Prize is awarded. This year the commissioned work is “Suite for Harp” by Avner Dorman.

Since 1959, the Contest in Israel has taken place every three years.  On March 28, 2022,  a Gala Festive Concert will mark the opening of the 21st Contest. Harpist Lenka Petrovic from Serbia, 1st Prize Winner of the 20th Contest in 2018, will be the soloist at this Opening Concert.

The Final stage, the Closing Concert, will take place on Thursday, March 31, 2022, with a performance by a Symphony Orchestra.

The First Prize, a Lyon & Healy Gold Concert Grand Harp, valued at US$ 55,000 is traditionally donated by the Salvi Foundation

The Contest is sponsored by the Culture and Arts Administration at the Ministry of Culture & Sport, the City of Akko, the Old Acre Development Company Ltd, Salvi Foundation, Lyon & Healy – leading harp manufacturers in the world – and by grants of foundations and individuals in Israel and abroad.

For more information:
The International Harp Contest in Israel

Tel 972-3-6041808 Fax 972-3-6041688
✉ harzimco@netvision.net.il
www.harpcontest-israel.org.il
Facebook | YouTube Instagram