The Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition is the most prestigious guitar competition in the Southern Hemisphere and has provided career-launching opportunities for eight incredible young guitarists: Jin-Hee Kim (South Korea) in 2010, Andrey Lebedev (Australia) in 2012, Bogdan Mihailescu (Romania) in 2014, Marko Topchii (Ukraine) in 2016, Miles Johnston (Australia) in 2018, Andrew Blanch (Australia) in 2019, Pietro Locatto in 2020 (Italy), and Pavel Ralev in 2021 (Bulgaria).
The auditions for the 2022 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition have now closed.
Competition timeline
- Wednesday 29 September 2021: Repertoire announced
- Wednesday 19 January 2022: Audition round opens (online only)
- Wednesday 9 March 2022: Audition round closes
- Wednesday 13 April 2022: Semi Finalists announced
- 9 – 24 July: Adelaide Guitar Festival
- Sunday 24 July 2022: Competition Final held at Space Theatre
The 2021 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition was held online; click here to view all competitor videos in full.
2021 Winner announcement:
Prizes
All prizes are funded by the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation.
First Prize
- AUD $10,000 prize money
- A Jim Redgate Guitar, valued at AUD $23,000
- An invitation to perform at the next Adelaide Guitar Festival (including all travel expenses)
Second Prize
- AUD $4,000 prize money
Third Prize
- AUD $2,000 prize money
The Classical Guitar Competition is proudly supported by Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation. You can support the work of the Foundation in delivering youth and education programs and career development opportunities.
2021 Winner: Pavel Ralev
2021 Second Place: Ziggy Johnston
2021 Third Pace: Clancy McLeod
Pavel Ralev (Bulgaria)
Compulsory Piece: Robert Davidson - Cliffside
Free Choice #1: J. S. Bach - Violin Partita 2, BWV1004, Allemanda; Giga
Free Choice #2: Carlo Domeniconi - Suite Koyunbaba, I; IV
Ziggy Johnston (Australia)
Compulsory Piece: Robert Davidson - Cliffside
Free Choice #1: Grave from Violin Sonata 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 by J.S. Bach
Free Choice #2: Allegro from Violin Sonata 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 by J.S. Bach
Free Choice #3: Canto from Sonata for Guitar by Alberto Ginastera
Free Choice #4: Finale from Sonata for Guitar by Alberto Ginastera
Clancy McLeod (Australia)
Compulsory Piece: Robert Davidson - Cliffside
Free Choice #1: Prelude in E Major, BWV 1006a, J.S. Bach
Free Choice #2: Invocación y danza, Joaquin Rodrigo