The Geneva International Music Competition and the House of Breguet

Since almost 20 years, the House of Breguet supports the Geneva International Music Competition (Le Concours de Genève), one of the world’s leading music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting and supporting young talented artists.

In 2018, the Breguet Special Prize, an initiative aimed at providing invaluable support to help boost laureates' careers, was awarded to two pianists, Dmitry Shishkin and Théo Fouchenneret. Both winning the first prize ex aequo, the winners received thereby the support of the House consisting of an album recording with an orchestra.

Native from Siberia, Dmitry Shishkin demonstrated exceptional talent for the piano while still very young, giving his first solo recital at the age of three and his first concert with an orchestra at the age of six. Three years later, he entered the prestigious Gnessin State Musical College for gifted children in Moscow then the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He is currently continuing his studies in Sicily and Germany. From a very early age, he won many prizes at competitions, awards and scholarships, both in Russia and abroad. He has been critically acclaimed by the international press for his creative approach to music, his individuality and his brilliant piano skills.

The same year he won the first prize at the Geneva International Music Competition, Théo Fouchenneret is nominated “instrumental soloist revelation” at the Victoires de la Musique Classique. He also won the first prize as well as five special prizes at the international chamber music competition in Lyon with the Trio Messiaen in 2018. Applauded by main concert halls and international festivals, he also played with internationally known musicians. The magazine Diapason says about him: “We are hit by his present and a full and intense sound. The contrasts grabs rapidly. Fouchenneret invites us to a true interpretation”.