Kobe International
Flute Competition

神戸国際フルートコンクール

The 10th Kobe International Flute Competition, which was conducted online entirely first time ever due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, was concluded on March 27, 2022.

In the midst of unprecedented challenging times, 53 contestants selected from the record-high-applicants participated in the 10^th KIFC. While coping with unusual situations, they worked hard to prepare for the competition. And, their incredibly high-level of performances with unique personality and style were delivered to people around the world virtually.

≪10th Kobe International Flute Competition≫

◆Overview

*Award ceremony and the exhibition concert are postponed to the fiscal year 2022 or later.

◆Prize-winners

1st Prize　Rafael ADOBAS BAYOG (Spain)
1st Prize　Mario BRUNO (Italy)

3rd Prize　ISHII Kie (Japan)
3rd Prize　Marianna Julia ŻOŁNACZ (Poland)

5th Prize　Anna KOMAROVA (Russia)

6th Prize　Joidy Scarlet BLANCO LEWIS (Venezuela)

*To read prizewinners’ biographies, please click here [LINK] 

◆Special Award

Jury Committee decided to give the Special Award to contestants who made an outstanding performance of a contemporary work in the third round.

• Mario Bruno / work by M.Pintscher: beyond (a system of passing) for flute solo
• Anna Komarova /work by T.Ichiyanagi: In a Living Memory

◆Jury Committee

SAKAI Hideaki /Chairperson, Petri ALANKO, Renate GREISS-ARMIN, KANDA Hiroaki, LEE Soyoung, Sarah LOUVION, TAKAGI Ayako, Arife Gülşen TATU, Henrik WIESE

Pre-screening: SAKAI Hideaki, KANDA Hiroaki, SAKUMA Yumiko, TAKEBAYASHI Hidenori, HOSOKAWA Junzo

I am relieved that we were able to conclude the competition safely, even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over. In this edition, we experienced an atypical competition– judging entirely by online. While the Kobe Cultural Foundation prepared for the competition’s major changes in precise and prompt manner, our international jury members conducted judging remotely by sitting in front of PC for long hours. Without their efforts, this competition could not have been possible to unfold. But, most of all, I am thankful to all contestants for their cooperation in making performance videos for all rounds. I sincerely hope that, in next competition, we could gather in Kobe and enjoy music together without worrying about anything. (Hideaki Sakai)

◆Judging Methods/Results of Judgements

Judging method and results for the final round are available from here [LINK].

◆Online Streaming

• KIFC Official YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/)
• KIFC Official Website (https://kobe-flute.jp/video/)
• IDAGIO – Global Concert Hall (https://app.idagio.com/live)

Number of view = 234K / Demographics = Japan 39％ Oversea 61％
(during a period between 08/26/2021 and 03/31/2022)

◆Related Event

The Jury’s Concert, which has offered music by the top-class flutists since the 1^st edition of the KIFC, was presented as a special program by adding a subtle touch of modification.

ALL STAR FLUTE GALA ~ Jury’s Concert~ TAKAGI Ayako and KANDA Hiroaki Special

*In addition to the above, a series program Kobe International Flute Competition Deconstructed, a program to re-think the competition　from various perspective and to discover excitement of music and competition, was presented.

◆Organizers
Management Committee of the KIFC, Kobe City Government, Kobe Cultural Foundation, Japan Federation of Musicians, Japan Flutists Association

◆Supporters
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hyogo Prefectural Government, NHK Kobe Broadcasting Station, Asia Flutists Federation

◆Grants
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan in the fiscal year 2021

◆Special Sponsor
Kobe Bunka Mother Port Club