The 6 finalists of the 8th International Adolphe Sax Competition

The jury has selected the 6 laureates who will participate in the final: 2 Japanese, 3 Russians (including 1 candidate with dual nationality Russia/Spain) and 1 Italian. In total, 264 saxophonists submitted their applications to participate in the competition. After blind auditions, the first round and the semi-finals, the jury has selected only 6 of them to participate in the final day, which will take place on 10 and 11 November at exactly 8:00 am in the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Dinant, Belgium. The finalists in alphabetical order:

HIRAI Wataru - Japan IGARASHI Kenta - Japan KAZAKOV Mikhail - Rusland MALAGNINO Alessandro - Italië PETSKUS Vladimir - Rusland PINCHUK Dmitry - Rusland

The aim of the final is to rank the 6 laureates of the competition. Each candidate will perform two works: a mandatory work, "Mantra, Canto en Capriccio," commissioned by the competition and composed by the renowned Belgian composer Dirk Brossé. In addition, a concerto, to be chosen from a list of works, accompanied by CASCO Phil, the Chamber Orchestra of Belgium, under the direction of guest conductor David Reiland. Three saxophonists will perform on Friday and three on Saturday. The performances of the Saturday final will be followed by a performance by the Belgian Chamber Orchestra Casco Phil: "Serenade for Strings Op. 22" by Antonín Dvorák at 22.30 hours. At 23.00 hours, the results of the final will be revealed, as well as the most coveted title of First Laureate. [caption id="attachment_51594" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] © Concours International Adolphe Sax[/caption]