The Jury of the ArsClassica International Competition brings together the founders of ArsClassica and a distinguished panel of internationally acclaimed artists, musicians, and leading figures in classical music
JURY MEMBERS
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
VADIM BRODSKI
Violinist
Jury Member 2025
Vadim Brodski is an internationally acclaimed violinist, celebrated for his exceptional virtuosity, expressive artistry, and distinguished international career. Winner of prestigious competitions including the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition, Premio Paganini and Tibor Varga International Competition, he has performed with leading orchestras and renowned conductors in the world's most prestigious concert halls. His extensive discography and collaborations with major artists have earned him worldwide recognition. In addition to his concert career, Brodski is a highly respected pedagogue and serves regularly as a jury member for international violin competitions, inspiring new generations of musicians through his artistry and experience.
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FEDERICO GAD CREMA
Pianist/Conductor
Jury Member 2025 - 2026
Federico Gad Crema is an internationally acclaimed Italian pianist, conductor, and artistic director, recognized as one of the most compelling musicians of his generation. Praised by Gramophone for his "lyrical expansiveness and warmth," he has performed at some of the world's leading concert halls, including Teatro alla Scala and the Philharmonie de Paris, and has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Martha Argerich, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Gil Shaham, and Renaud Capuçon. A prizewinner in numerous international competitions, he is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Oropa Music Festival and the Peace Orchestra Project, an innovative initiative promoting social transformation through music.
MATHIAS MENANTEAU
Violin Maker
Jury Member 2023 - 2026
Mathias Menanteau is a French master luthier based in Rome, internationally recognized for his expertise in the construction, restoration, and tonal adjustment of fine string instruments. Trained at the renowned Newark Violin Making School, he further refined his craft in Berlin and Cremona before establishing Roma Liuteria in 2010. His workshop has become a trusted destination for professional musicians and collectors, combining the finest traditions of European violin making with meticulous craftsmanship and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. As a patron of ArsClassica, he founded the Menanteau Prize, a special award dedicated to supporting emerging artists. The winner receives the opportunity to record a professional video in prestigious Italian historical venues, performing on one of his exceptional instruments.
KEVIN SPAGNOLO
Clarinetist
Jury Member 2026
Kevin Spagnolo is an internationally acclaimed Italian clarinetist, recognized as one of the most brilliant talents of his generation. In 2018, at the age of 22, he won First Prize at the prestigious Geneva International Music Competition, becoming the youngest clarinetist ever to receive this distinction. Since then, he has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras including the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, and Swedish Chamber Orchestra, collaborating with renowned conductors and artists. A passionate chamber musician and educator, he regularly performs at major festivals worldwide and shares his experience through masterclasses, contributing to the development of a new generation of musicians.
FABIO VACCHI
Composer
Jury Member 2026
Fabio Vacchi is one of the most internationally renowned Italian composers of his generation. Born in Bologna, he established himself on the international scene after winning the Koussevitzky Prize in Composition at Tanglewood in 1974 and the Gaudeamus Prize in 1976. His music, characterized by a unique synthesis of innovation, expressive depth, and dialogue with tradition, has been performed by leading orchestras and conductors worldwide, including Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly, Riccardo Muti, and Zubin Mehta. Author of numerous operas, symphonic works, and chamber compositions, he has collaborated with major artists and institutions such as Teatro alla Scala, the Salzburg Festival, and the Venice Biennale. Member of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna, he is widely recognized as one of the most significant voices in contemporary Italian music.
SIMON ZHU
Violinist
Jury Member 2026
Simon Zhu is a German violinist recognized as one of the most promising talents of his generation. Born in Tübingen, he has achieved remarkable success in major international competitions. In 2023, he won First Prize at the prestigious International Violin Competition “Premio Paganini” in Genoa, Italy. He has also been awarded top prizes at the Menuhin Competition, the Telemann Competition in Poznań, the Valsesia Musica Competition, and the Zhuhai Mozart Competition. Simon Zhu has performed with renowned orchestras and in prestigious venues worldwide, collaborating with distinguished musicians and conductors. He studied with leading violin pedagogues, including Salvatore Accardo, Ana Chumachenco, and Ning Feng, and continues to establish himself as one of the most exciting young voices in the international violin scene.
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