II International Competition for Young Harpists “Crystal Key”

From November 8 to November 15, 2019, the II International Competition for Young Harpists “Crystal Key” will be held at the St. Petersburg Opera Theatre. This competition, created by the winner of international competitions Elizaveta Alexandrova, was first held in June 2012 in St. Petersburg. Within the framework of the competition, more than 70 harpist from 15 countries of Europe, Asia and America, including Russia, USA, France, Italy, South Korea, China, Lithuania, Mexico, Bulgaria and others took part in the event. The eminent jury of the competition included famous musicians from France, the USA, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and Russia. The “Crystal Key” competition has become a major event in the cultural and musical life of both St. Petersburg and Russia. The competition was named after the People's Artist of the USSR Ksenia Erdeli, who is considered as the founder of the Soviet school of the harp art. Her name is inextricably linked with St. Petersburg. Here she graduated from the Smolny Institute, she led a harp class at the St. Petersburg Conservatory by initiative of Alexander Glazunov. The winners of the first international competition “Crystal Key” were young harpists, each of whom, having achieved success in this competition, then managed to realize a successful musical career.

The II International Competition for Young Harpers “Crystal Key” will be held in the same way as the first at the site of the Chamber Music Theatre “St. Petersburg Opera” and will be dedicated to the outstanding Russian musician and teacher Tatyana Tower.

 “Crystal Key” is a project aimed at young contestants (the age limits for participants in the competition are limited). The competition is designed to promote the development and promotion of children's creativity, to give an impetus to their career and creative growth of young performers.

One of the general partners of the contest is Resonanse Harps, a Russian manufacturer of harps that will provide musical instruments to contestants. In addition, a harp created by Resonanse Harps factory will be awarded to the winner of the competition.