The IMF - Association for the Promotion of Musically Gifted Children
with DI Leona König, KS Juan Diego Flórez and dr. Alexander Wrabetz.

«I am incredibly proud that I was able to realize this idea so successfully and to interest so many great people like artists, sponsors and universities. The potential that lies dormant in these young people, their passion and the moving music, must be carried to a wide audience.» - Leona König


On Thursday, 21 November 2019, IMF Chairwoman Leona K&ouml;nig invited the International Music Foundation (IMF - Verein zur F&ouml;rderung musikalisch hochbegabter Kinder) to a press conference at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Together with KS Juan Diego Fl&oacute;rez and the support of ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz, she was pleased to announce the numerous news about the &quot;Golden Note&quot; 2020.

For the year 2020, Leona K&ouml;nig, IMF Chairwoman, Heart and Soul, succeeded in significantly increasing the promotion of highly talented young musicians both within Austria and internationally, thus supporting the education of young talents regardless of their origin. In addition to the annual prize money, the young finalists and the winner of the talent competition &quot;Goldene Note&quot; can expect invaluable stage presence in the future alongside established greats of classical music such as Valentina Nafornita, Lidia Baich and Hyung-ki Joo, appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Pannonian Forum Kittsee, and further musical training in the form of IMF Masterclasses.

Juan Diego Flórez, Leona König, Alexander Wrabetz

Desirée Treichl-Stürgkh, Clemens Unterreiner

Leona König, Bernhard  Ramsauer

Elisabeth Himmer-Hirnigel, Alexandra Winkler

Hyung ki-Joo, Leona König und Lidia Baich

«ORF is Austria's largest cultural platform and offers the best of Austrian cultural life for all Austrians on TV, radio and online. I am therefore particularly pleased that, in a cooperation between the International Music Foundation and ORF III, we are now offering a stage for the promotion of young musicians and thus making a contribution to the development of the talents of the future.» - Dr. Alexander Wrabetz



Since 2016, the non-profit association for the promotion of musically gifted children (IMF - International Music Foundation for short) of Chairwoman Leona K&ouml;nig has been promoting musical talents between the ages of five and sixteen - regardless of social and cultural origin - and organises, among other things, the gala concert &quot;Golden Note&quot;, which will enter its fourth round on 19 June 2020 at the ORF Radiokulturhaus. Highly talented young musicians will be auditioned for the solo instruments violin, piano and cello by a top-class jury of experts consisting of Tam&aacute;s Varga, solo cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Prof. Klaus Sticken, Music and Art Private University of the City of Vienna, Prof. Alma Sauer, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Ao. Regina Brandst&auml;tter, University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Snezana Kis, Albrechtsberg Music School Klosterneuburg, and Natalie Baich, Music and Art Private University Vienna, who was selected from the most important music institutions in Austria.

IMF conducts age-appropriate master classes at the highest level and thus enables gifted children and young people to attend specific and individual lessons according to their needs and to learn from experienced, professional musicians. In addition to the &quot;Golden Note Music Award&quot;, the IMF organises concerts and other events through which young talents can gain stage experience.

Alexander Wrabetz, Juan Diego Flórez, Leona König und Trio Blümel-Gergov

The projects of the IMF can be made possible by Leona K&ouml;nig with the help of committed supporters. The International Music Foundation would like to thank the Liechtensteinische Landesbank, Chopard, the Kronen Zeitung, the Austrian Lotteries and the ORF as well as the esteemed sponsors Hotel Sacher, Steinway and Kattus.

This year, highly gifted children (piano, cello and violin) will again have the opportunity to apply for the audition via video from December 2019 to March 2020. A top-class jury under the head of the jury Tam&aacute;s Varga, solo cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, will select 6 finalists on the day of the audition, which will take place at the MDW on 18 April 2020. As part of the gala concert &quot;Golden Note&quot;, which will enter its fourth round on 19 June 2020 at the ORF Radiokulturhaus, the finalists will present themselves to the honorary committee with Valentina Nafornita, Lidia Baich and Hyung-ki Joo. The winners can look forward to a trophy provided by Chopard, musical training and age-appropriate master classes, prizes and concert appearances.

Golden Note - IMF International Music Foundation For Highly Gifted Children

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