Singapore International Violin Competition 2022

THE RIN COLLECTION Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, 1730

VIOLIN COMPETITION SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL

WELCOME MESSAGES

WELCOMING THE 2022 VIOLIN COMPETITORS TO SINGAPORE

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore is proud to be organising and hosting the Singapore International Violin Competition, and to enable this landmark event for classical music within Singapore and the world. Across the past editions of SIVC (2015 and 2018), each event has been an exciting showcase of violin artistry and we are confident that the 2022 edition will continue to inspire.

Having witnessed COVID-19 and its impacts for the performing arts, it is all the more precious that we are able to come together in this rich collective musical experience – from competition live rounds, through to the SIVC community outreach days, through to our livestream audiences joining us via Medici.tv and wider digital platforms. We are excited to shine the spotlight on young talents and to foster rich exchanges through music.

Equally, we are delighted to be working alongside SIVC’s network of partners and supporters. Their continued enthusiasm has helped make the Competition a truly distinctive platform with robust roots across the Singapore landscape and an extensive global presence.

As we finally kick-start the 2022 Competition, we look forward to the musical resonances that the next two weeks will bring!

A PODIUM FOR THE WORLD’S BEST EMERGING VIOLINISTS

MESSAGE FROM PROF QIAN ZHOU ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION

We are delighted to welcome you to the 2022 Singapore International Violin Competition. Previously postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, SIVC has been an extra year in the making, and we are all the more excited to bring you a celebration of musical excellence with the world’s top young violinists, witnessed by our eminent jury — all on Singapore’s leading musical stages.

This edition of SIVC is particularly significant for us, as COVID has impacted opportunities for musicians worldwide to perform, collaborate and further their careers. Amidst these global challenges, our aim was clear: to develop the next generation of top violinists through the platform that SIVC offers, to present audiences with a rich experience of violin artistry and virtuosity, and to be a premier stage for musical talent in Singapore and worldwide.

With the constantly-evolving pandemic situation, this event in many ways has been a leap of faith. We are deeply grateful for the trust and support of our partners – from founding donors (the Rin family, Hong Leong Foundation, Lee Foundation); to event partners (Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Concert Hall); award partners (Kris Foundation, Ms Vivien Goh); our jury, guest artists and pianists; and our partners for performance engagement, media and beyond. Our thanks also go to the National University of Singapore, National Arts Council, Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth and our wider network of benefactors. Their dedication exemplifies an unwavering belief in the importance of music and culture even through uncertainty, and has made this landmark event possible.

As music begins to return to concert halls and stages around the world, we reaffirm the inexplicable thrall music has over us, and our innate passion to create and partake in art. It is our pride and joy to share the next two weeks of music-making with you.

Thank you for being here with us.

MESSAGES

Congratulations on being accepted to participate and on making the journey - physical, psychological and artistic - to be here in Singapore in 2022. Let each moment be extraordinary - that it may project your truest self!

Bernard Lanskey, Director and Professor, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (past Director and Dean, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music 2008-2021)

The SIVC is truly a labour of love that provides a platform for aspiring young violinists and also serves to inspire young musicians in Singapore. It is all the more impressive that this is taking place despite the challenges of the pandemic.”

Goh Yew Lin, Chairman, Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Congratulations to all involved in the 2022 Singapore International Violin Competition! It has been an exciting journey watching the competition grow and blossom from its first edition in 2015 to one of the world's premier competitions. Wishing all of you success for 2022 and many more years to come!

Lan Shui, Conductor Laureate, Singapore Symphony Orchestra; Honorary Conductor, Copenhagen Philharmonic; Principal Guest Conductor, Taiwan Symphony Orchestra

I would like to give my warmest congratulations to a successful Singapore International Violin Competition. Music is like a light, illuminating the lives of music lovers. It is not easy to hold the Singapore International Violin Competition during the pandemic, I sincerely hope each contestant will cherish this opportunity and achieve excellence!

Lin Daye, Music Director, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

I wish the competition a great success and good luck to ALL!

Long Yu, Music Director, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra; Artistic Director & Chief Conductor, China Philharmonic Orchestra; Music Director, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra

Work hard and practice, in the end you will have a good result. It doesn't matter if you didn’t land 1st place, don’t let it define your ability. I’m looking forward to your performances in Japan to showcase your marvelous talent to the Japanese audience.

Masami Shigeta, Chairman and C.E.O, Aspen Incorporated

The previous runs of SIVC have brought fourth amazing talent. We are thrilled to have future SIVC winners perform some of the smaller scale gems for the violin with our chamber orchestra re:Sound.

Mervin Beng, Chairman, Resound Collective

It is wonderful that after the COVID delays, the Singapore International Violin Competition, organised by the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, now takes place in December 2022. This premier competition will help showcase and promote emerging world-class talent, and for the music-loving public, provide an opportunity to enjoy these exciting performances at prestigious venues.

Prof Tan Eng Chye, President, National University of Singapore

Talent and passion shines brightest through competition, but what makes a winner is whether or not you grow and learn from your experience.

Tsung Yeh, Music Director, Singapore Chinese Orchestra

May I wish each and every one of the talented competitors at the 2022 Singapore International Violin Competition great success, excellent stage presence, and, especially, outstanding music making! A soloist's career is not always easy, there is a lot of hard work, but the rewards on every level can be fantastic! Break a leg!

Wray Armstrong, Founder and Chairman, Armstrong International Music and Arts

Wishing the Singapore International Violin Competition a resounding success!

Zhang Guoyong, Music Director, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra

ARTISTIC COMMITTEE

ARTISTIC COMMITTEE

QIAN ZHOU

Head of Strings, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Singapore (Chair)

PETER TORNQUIST

Dean, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Singapore

BERNARD LANSKEY

Director and Professor, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Australia

SHLOMO MINTZ

Concert Artist and Conductor USA/Israel

LAN SHUI

Conductor Laureate, Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Honorary Conductor, Copenhagen Philharmonic

ABOUT

The triennial Singapore International Violin Competition was launched in June 2014 as a landmark cultural initiative for Singapore and beyond, and has since grown to become one of the most globally distinctive of its kind.

The competition serves to promote the continued growth and strength of classical music, as well as to provide a showcase for violinists from around the world against the backdrop of Singapore’s world-class performance venues, its national orchestra, and its internationally renowned music conservatory.

2015 LAUREATES:

1st Prize Benny Tseng Yu-Chien

2nd Prize Richard Lin

3rd Prize Sirena Huang

4th Prize Alexandra Conunova

5th Prize Lim Hyun Jae

6th Prize Fedor Rudin

2018 LAUREATES:

1st Prize Sergei Dogadin

2nd Prize Chisa Kitagawa

3rd Prize Oleksandr Korniev

4th Prize Laurel Gagnon

5th Prize Lisa Yasuda

6th Prize Xiaoxuan Shi

PRIZES

Over USD 110,000 in prizes will be awarded, along with concert engagements, and 3-year fine violin loans from the Rin Collection for the top 6 winners.

OFFICIAL PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE USD 50,000

SECOND PRIZE USD 25,000

THIRD PRIZE USD 15,000

FOURTH PRIZE USD 6,000

FIFTH PRIZE USD 5,000

SIXTH PRIZE USD 4,000

3-YEAR FINE VIOLIN LOANS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

1679 Guarneri, Andrea

1680 Stradivari, Antonio “Ex-Paganini”

1686 Amati, Hieronymus “The Pearl”

1730 Guarneri ‘Del Gesù’, Joseph

1740 Tecchler, David “Ex-Bridgetower”

1745 Bergonzi, Carlo

SPECIAL PRIZES

Goh Soon Tioe Violin and Piano Recital Prize: USD 5,000

Audience Prize (by voting): USD 2,000

Kris Foundation Best Performer of Commissioned Work Prize: USD 1,000

Best Performance of Bach: USD 1,000

Best Performance of Ysaÿe: USD 1,000

CONCERT OPPORTUNITIES

Performance Partners:

Aspen Japan

Guiyang Symphony Orchestra

Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra

National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai

re:Sound Chamber Orchestra

Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

Singapore Violin Festival

SCORING PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

Proceeding to the Semi-Finals and Finals:

Each Juror awards a “Yes”, “Maybe”, or “No” vote along with a score of 1 to 10 for each candidate. Candidates with the highest number of “Yes” votes exceeding 50% of the total number of votes proceed to the next round. “Maybe” votes and scores will be considered in case of a tie.

Proceeding to the Grand Final:

Each Juror ranks the candidates from 1 to 6. The top three candidates overall will proceed to the Grand Final. The remaining three candidates will be awarded the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Prizes according to their combined scores from the current and preceding rounds (weighted: 50% SemiFinal, 50% Final).

Grand Final:

Each Juror ranks the candidates from 1 to 3. A First Prize will only be awarded if a majority vote can be agreed by the jury. Combined scores from the current and preceding rounds (weighted: 25% Semi-Final, 25% Final, 50% Grand Final) will be considered in case of a tie.

The Singapore International Violin Competition has set aside strict rules to which the Jury must abide. The following are some important features:

•Shortlisting of First Round candidates was done via blind-listening by an international panel.

•During the first Juror’s meeting, all Jurors are to declare their conflict(s) of interest in terms of connections with any candidate(s). A Juror’s votes or scores will be discounted when a conflict occurs.

•A Juror may not disclose or discuss any candidates’ performance during the competition.

•A Juror may not disclose or discuss their votes or scores with anyone.

•The Jury will judge with the intention to award all listed prizes, but all prizes are not necessarily awarded.

SCHEDULE SCHEDULE

FIRST ROUND (YST CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL)

1 December 2022

Session 1, Day 1 14:40 - 16:25 16:35 - 18:20

2 December 2022 Session 1, Day 2 10:00 - 11:45 11:55 - 13:40 14:40 - 16:25 16:35 - 18:20

3 December 2022

4 December 2022

Session 2, Day 1 10:00 - 12:00 12:10 - 14:10 15:10 - 17:10 17:20 - 19:20

5 December 2022 Session 2, Day 2 10:00 - 12:00 12:10 - 14:10 15:10 - 17:10 17:20 - 19:20

Session 1, Day 3 10:00 - 11:45 11:55 - 13:40 14:40 - 16:25 6 December 2022

Session 2, Day 3 10:00 - 12:00

Announcement of Semi-Finalists will take place online at 13:10

SEMI-FINALS (YST CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL)

8 December 2022 Day 1 10:00 - 13:00 14:30 - 16:30 16:40 - 19:40

9 December 2022 Day 2 10:00 - 12:00 13:30 - 15:30

Announcement of Finalists will take place online at 16:40

Ticketing Agent: SISTIC Hotline: 6348 5555 www.sistic.com.sg

OUTREACH (YST CONSERVATORY)

10 December 2022

10:00 - 16:00 (Recital Studio)

Up Close with Rin Collection Fine Violins

14:30 - 16:30 (Orchestra Hall) Masterclass with Mihaela Martin 17:00 - 18:30 (Orchestra Hall)

Before Daybreak: In Dialogue with Composer Koh Cheng Jin OUTREACH (YST CONSERVATORY)

13 December 2022

16:00 - 18:00 (Orchestra Hall)

Masterclass with Martin Beaver

19:30 - 21:00 (Orchestra Hall)

Nurturing Young Talent: In Dialogue with Qian Zhou and Joel Smirnoff

FINALS (YST CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL) 11 December 2022 , 19:30 12 December 2022 , 19:30 Announcement of Grand Finalists will take place online at 22:30 GRAND FINAL (VICTORIA CONCERT HALL) CLOSING CEREMONY (VICTORIA CONCERT HALL)

14 December 2022 , 19:00 14 December 2022 , 22:30

REPERTOIRE

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

PRE-SELECTION ROUND

Applicants are required to play the following A, B, and C:

(A)

J.S. BACH

One of the following unaccompanied works:

Adagio and Fuga from Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

Grave and Fuga from Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004

Adagio and Fuga from Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

(B)

N. PAGANINI

One of the 24 Caprices

(C)

One movement of a concerto (with piano accompaniment or orchestra)

FIRST ROUND

The first round consists of two sessions, both of which must be fulfilled.

Session 1

Candidates are required to play the following A and B:

(A)

One complete sonata for solo violin by J.S. BACH :

Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

(B)

One complete sonata for solo violin by E. YSAŸE from Op. 27

Session 2

Candidates are required to play the following A, B, and C:

(A)

One complete sonata by W.A. MOZART, L. VAN BEETHOVEN (except Sonata No. 9), or F. SCHUBERT (except Fantasie)

(B)

One original work by F. KREISLER for violin and piano or solo violin

(C)

One piece of own choice, cannot have been performed in previous rounds

SEMI-FINALS

A recital programme of up to 60 minutes in total performance time. The recital must include the following A, B, and C:

(A)

One complete sonata from the following list:

B. BARTÓK

Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117

J. BRAHMS

Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78

Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100 Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108

J. CORIGLIANO

Sonata

C. DEBUSSY

Sonata in G minor, L. 140

G. FAURÉ

Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13

C. FRANCK

Sonata in A major

L. JANÁČEK

Sonata W. LUTOSLAWSKI

Partita F. POULENC

Sonata, FP. 119 S. PROKOFIEV

Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80 Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a

M. RAVEL

Sonata in G major C. SAINT-SAËNS

Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75

R. SCHUMANN

Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105

Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121

R. STRAUSS

Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18

I. STRAVINSKY

Divertimento

(B)

Commissioned work: KOH CHENG JIN

Before Daybreak (Duration 6’)

The commissioned work will be sent to candidates two months prior to the competition (C)

One piece of own choice, cannot have been performed in previous rounds

FINALS

One complete piano quartet by W.A. MOZART :

Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

To be performed with SIVC guest artists.

GRAND FINAL

One complete concerto from the following list:

L.

VAN BEETHOVEN

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

J. BRAHMS

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

F.

MENDELSSOHN

Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

To be performed with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

S. PROKOFIEV

Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63

J. SIBELIUS

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

THE RIN COLLECTION Stradivari, Antonio 1706

QIAN ZHOU, CHAIR SINGAPORE

Chinese-born American Qian Zhou is recognized internationally as a violinist, recording artist, and teacher of the first rank. Zhou had her early training at the Shanghai Conservatory, winning first prize at the China National Competition in 1984. In 1985, she went to the United States where she completed her studies with Berl Senofsky at the Peabody Conservatory, before being also personally mentored by Piero Weiss.

After achieving great success at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Competition where Zhou was awarded the First Grand Prize and all five major prizes, she has been a frequent recitalist and soloist with orchestras in Europe, United States, Asia and Africa.

Zhou has enjoyed successful artistic collaborations with many of the world’s great orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, BBC Symphony, BBC Scottish, Bournemouth Symphony, China National Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, Limburgs Symfonie Orkest, National Orchestra of Ile de France, New Japan Philharmonic, Osaka Symphony, Rome Symphony, Russian Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, Spanish National, Taipei Symphony, and the Vienna Chamber Orchestras, amongst others. Recital highlights include performances at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Suntory Hall in Tokyo and the Vienna Concert Hall.

Zhou’s ten CDs with the Naxos, Hugo and Hungaraton labels have embraced a wide range of repertoire from Bach to Bartok have also drawn praise of the highest calibre. Her recording of the Beethoven concerto was described by Henry Roth in The Strad as “technically impeccable… burnished with beautifully-focused tone, a vibrato that spans the full gamut of colour, and an astute sense of pacing, all replete with sensitive nuances. “ He continued “her phrasing is breath-taking; not a note is ‘wasted’ or ignored, all delivered with a rare nobility of spirit”. Her Glazunov concerto was perceived as “extraordinary: full-blooded, suave and sophisticated, yet uncommonly thoughtful”, while her recordings of the complete Dvořák works for violin & piano were praised as “strikingly confident, each note invested with glowing lyrical import.”

As the founding Head of Strings at the Yong Siew TohConservatory of Music, Zhou has combined her very active performance career with a passion for teaching, and her students are achieving successes around the world. She is currently the Chairperson of the Artistic Committee and Jury of Singapore International Violin Competition, as well as Artistic Director of the Singapore Violin Festival.

Zhou plays a 1757 J.B. Guadagnini, generously loaned by the late Mr Rin Kei Mei and Mrs Rin Kei Mei.

MARTIN BEAVER CANADA

Canadian-born violinist Martin Beaver was First Violin of the world-renowned Tokyo String Quartet from June 2002 until its final concert in July 2013. As such, he appeared to critical and public acclaim on the major stages of the world including New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

As a member of the Tokyo String Quartet, Mr. Beaver was privileged to perform on the 1727 Stradivarius violin from the “Paganini Quartet” set of instruments, on generous loan to the quartet from the Nippon Music Foundation. Recordings of the Tokyo String Quartet during his tenure notably include the complete Beethoven quartets on the Harmonia Mundi label.

Mr. Beaver’s concerto and recital appearances span four continents with orchestras such as the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège and the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and under the batons of Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Raymond Leppard, Gilbert Varga and Yannick Nézet-Séguin among others. Chamber music performances include collaborations with such eminent artists as Leon Fleisher, Pinchas Zukerman, Lynn Harrell, Sabine Meyer and Yefim Bronfman.

Mr. Beaver is a regular guest at prominent festivals in North America and abroad. Among these are: the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, La Jolla SummerFest, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Edinburgh Festival (U.K.) and Pacific Music Festival (Japan).

Mr. Beaver’s discography includes concerti, sonatas and chamber music on the Harmonia Mundi USA, Biddulph, Naim Audio, René Gailly, Musica Viva, SM 5000, Toccata Classics and Naxos labels. His recorded repertoire ranges from Bach, Beethoven and Brahms to the music of 21st century composers Alexina Louie, Gerard Schurmann and Joan Tower.

Mr. Beaver’s mentors include Victor Danchenko, Josef Gingold and Henryk Szeryng. He is a laureate of the Queen Elisabeth, Montreal and Indianapolis competitions. Subsequently, he has served on the juries of major international competitions including the Queen Elisabeth and Montreal violin competitions, the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

A devoted educator, Mr. Beaver has conducted masterclasses throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He has held teaching positions at the Royal Conservatory of Music, the University of British Columbia and the Peabody Conservatory. More recently, he served on the faculty of New York University and as Artist in Residence at the Yale School of Music. He joined the faculty of the Colburn School in Los Angeles in August 2013 where he is currently Professor of Violin and Chamber Music. Martin Beaver is a founding member of the Montrose Trio with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and cellist Clive Greensmith.

MARTIN T:SON ENGSTROEM SWEDEN

Martin Engstroem  was born in 1953 in Stockholm. He grew up there and obtained his degree in Music History and Russian at Stockholm University. Moving to Paris in 1975, he became a partner in the artistic agency Opéra et Concert. He also worked closely with Herbert von Karajan for many years. He moved to Switzerland in 1986. During this period, he was a consultant for EMI France, for the Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele and the Opéra national de Paris.

In 1991, he set up what would become the Verbier Festival and Academy with its first edition in 1994. He is still its Executive Director. In 2000 and 2005, he set up respectively the Verbier Festival Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra. In 2013, a new education project was launched under his initiative, the Verbier Festival Music Camp (today renamed the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra).

From 1999 to 2003, he was Vice-President of Deutsche Grammophon for the sector “Artists and Repertoire”. Then from 2003 to 2005, he was appointed Senior Executive Producer & Artist Development. During this period, he was responsible for the recordings of AnneSophie Mutter, Pierre Boulez, Claudio Abbado and Maurizio Pollini and also signed new artists such as Anna Netrebko, Lang Lang, Yundi Li, Hélène Grimaud, Ilya Gringolts, Hilary Hahn and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Martin Engstroem has served on the juries of numerous competitions, such as the 50th Paganini Competition in Genoa (2005), Thomas Quasthoff’s first Das Lied Competition (2009), the Clara Haskil Competition and the Tchaikovsky Competition.  He is also a member of several Foundation Boards, including the Béjart Ballet, Lausanne and the Tibor Varga Academy, Sion. He is a member of the Governing Board of the Glion Institut de Hautes Etudes.

In June 2011 The Nobel Foundation in Lindau induced Martin T:son Engstroem and Bill Gates to their Honorary Senate. The Foundation thereby recognized “their sustained personal commitment to supporting and encouraging young talents by opening the door to future opportunities”.

In April 2015, he received the Dmitri Shostakovich Prize at a ceremony held at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, in Moscow. Awarded by the Yuri Bashmet Foundation, it is considered to be one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of Russian art. Martin T:son Engstroem is the first laureate of the Dmitri Shostakovich Prize who is not a musician.

He now lives on the shores of Lac Leman in Switzerland with his second wife Blythe Teh-Engstroem and their 2 daughters.

Image: FRED HATT

LEE KYUNG SUN KOREA

Violinist Kyung Sun Lee captured sixth prize in the 1994 Tchaikovsky Competition, a bronze medal in the 1993 Queen Elizabeth Competition, first prizes of the Washington and D’Angelo International Competitions, and third prize in the Montreal International Competition, where she also won the Audience Favorite and the Best Performance of the Commissioned Work prizes.

In addition to her busy schedule as soloist and chamber musician, Lee is an accomplished teacher and clinician. After becoming Assistant Professor of Violin at the Oberlin Conservatory in the fall of 2001, then Associate Professor at the University of Houston in the fall of 2006, she is currently Professor at Seoul National University since 2009. She has taught at the Aspen Music Festival, Bowdoin Summer Festival and International Heifetz Institute. She also has been involved with the Seattle, Ravinia and the Marlboro Chamber Music Festivals, the Texas Music Festival, and the Great Mountains Music Festival in Korea. Lee is a former member of the acclaimed KumHo/Asiana String Quartet, with whom she toured worldwide. In recent years she has also been in demand as a judge of violin competitions including the Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover, Seoul International Competition and the Tibor Junior International Competition in Sion, Swiss.

Kyung Sun Lee studied at Seoul National University, Peabody Conservatory, and Juilliard. Her teachers have included Sylvia Rosenberg, Robert Mann, Dorothy Delay, and Hyo Kang. She plays a Joseph Guarnerius violin dating from 1723 and she is the music director of Changwon International Chamber Music Festival and Seoul Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra.

MIHAELA MARTIN ROMANIA

The Romanian-born artist Mihaela Martin is one of the most outstanding violin virtuosos of her generation. Her father gave her her first violin lessons when she was five years old. She later studied with Stefan Gheorghiu, who was himself a pupil of George Enescu and David Oistrakh.

At the age of 19, Mihaela Martin won second prize in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, which was followed by further main prizes in Montreal, Sion and Brussels. Being awarded first prize in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis launched her international career. She has performed with leading orchestras such as the BBC Symphony, the Royal Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. She has worked with conductors such as Kurt Masur, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Charles Dutoit and Neeme Järvi.

Chamber music has a very important place in Mihaela’s life In addition to participating in many chamber music festivals, she is a founding member of the Michelangelo String Quartet since 2003 with whom she performed in Carnegie Hall, Boulez Hall, Wigmore Hall, Library of Congress, Concertgebouw,Theatre de Champs Élysée.

Mihaela Martin is a professor at University of Music in Cologne , at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin and at the Kronberg Academy.

She also gives masterclasses throughout the world and is a regular jury member at important international competitions such as the Queen Elisabeth (Belgium), Indianapolis (USA), Enescu (Romania) and Tchaikovsky (Russia).

Mihaela Martin plays a violin by J G Guadagnini that dates from 1748.

JOEL SMIRNOFF UNITED STATES

Joel Smirnoff, conductor and violinist, presently teaches on the faculty of the Juilliard School. He served as President of the Cleveland Institute of Music from 2008 until 2016. He is a native of New York City and former chair of the violin department at The Juilliard School. A member of the Juilliard String Quartet from 1986 until 2009, he served as the ensemble’s leader from 1997. The Quartet, founded in 1947, is a living American legend, having won four GRAMMY Awards.

Mr. Smirnoff attended the University of Chicago and The Juilliard School and was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for six years. Second Prize-winner in the International American Music Competition in 1983, he made his New York recital debut in 1985 at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall as part of the Emerging Artists series and at Town Hall as part of the Midtown Masters series. In 1997, he was featured violin soloist at Tanglewood in a concert dedicated to the memory of violinist Louis Krasner, performing the Berg Violin Concerto under the direction of Bernard Haitink. Mr. Smirnoff has participated in the world premiere of numerous contemporary works, many of which were composed for him.

Mr. Smirnoff was Chair of the Violin Department at The Juilliard School from 1993 until 2008 and served as Head of String Studies at the Tanglewood Music Center during the late 1990s. He has served on the juries of the Naumburg, Indianapolis, Seoul, Harbin and Sendai Violin Competitions. He also pursues an active career as a conductor, both in the U.S. and abroad. In the summer of 2000, Mr. Smirnoff made his official American conducting debut with the San Francisco Symphony, conducting an all-Tchaikovsky program. In May 2004, he received rave reviews for his debut with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, replacing Peter Oundjian, who had fallen ill. Mr. Smirnoff conducts regularly in the United States, Europe and Asia with a wide-raning repertoire. He has lead the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and toured with the Basel Sinfonietta and Charles Rosen as soloist in the Elliott Carter Piano Concerto. Mr. Smirnoff also plays jazz, performing frequently as improvising soloist with Tony Bennett. His improvised jazz violin solos were featured on the GRAMMY Award-winning CD Tony Bennett Sings Ellington Hot and Cool. He has also been guest soloist with Gunther Schuller and the American Jazz Orchestra, as well as the Billy Taylor Trio.

Mr. Smirnoff was born into an eminent New York musical family. His mother sang with the Jack Teagarden Band under the stage name of Judy Marshall and his father, Zelly Smirnoff, played in the NBC Symphony under Toscanini and was second violinist of the Stuyvesant String Quartet.

TSU VERA WEILING CHINA

Vera Tsu Weiling, renowned violinist and educator, Tenued Professor of Hong Kong Chinese University (Shenzhen) Conservatory, Professor and Doctor’s program advisor of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Vice President of Convocation for the Founding of the String Music Society of China Musicians’ Association and China Federation of Chamber Musician, the Co-Chairman of the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition as well as Chairman of Violin Jury Harbin International Music Competition.

Tsu has been invited to sit on the jury of many prestigious competitions worldwide including the Queen Elizabeth Competition of Belgium (in 2009 and 2012), Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition Poznan (in 2011 and 2016), Menuhin Competition, Pablo Sarasate International Violin Competition, Montreal International Musical Competition and the remarkable XV Tchaikovsky Violin Competition Moscow in 2015. By far, Tsu is the only Chinese violinist who has frequently served at most of the highest level international competitions.

As an educator, Tsu organized and attended Master Classes and seminars in the United States, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Taiwan, Hong Kong and throughout China. Her students won many prizes and gained great reputation in the international competitions.

As a soloist, Tsu has also been performing on stages with both domestic and international orchestras including WDR Sinfonieorchester Koeln, the New York City Symphony, the Orchestra de Cannes, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, China National Symphony Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Tsu’s 20th anniversary of teaching concert was successfully held at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall on March 8th, 2021.

Born in Shanghai, Tsu got in the Central Conservatory in Beijing in 1977. During the distinguished international violin master Isaac Stern’s the first visit to China in 1979, as a sophomore, Tsu performed for Mr. Stern and was featured in the overwhelming Oscarwinning documentary From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China. Vera Tsu Weiling went to the USA in 1980, where she continued her study with Dorothy DeLay and Rafael Bronstein, who was then the only living disciple of violin ancestor Leopold Auer. She graduated from the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music with Master Degrees. Tsu was the First Associated Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra from 1993 to 2000. Since Tsu was back in China in 2000, she has been active in the front line of performance and education.

KRZYSZTOF WEGRZYN GERMANY

Krzysztof Wegrzyn, the Founder and Honorary President of the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover was born in Gdansk, Poland. He studied in Warsaw, Freiburg and London. His musical personality has been strongly influenced by Wolfgang Marschner, Yfrah Neaman and Dorothy DeLay. He was the winner of the Karol Szymanowski and Rodolfo Lipizer Competitions and was a laureate at many other renowned international competitions like Spohr and Montreal. His concert activities have taken him around the world and he has made numerous recordings for radio, television and CD. His broad repertoire also features works by Lutoslawski, Ligeti, Nono, Schnittke, Pärt and Penderecki.

Krzysztof Wegrzyn served as concertmaster of the Hanover State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra for many years and since 1993 has been a professor of violin at the University of Music, Drama and Media Hanover and since 2012 its Vice President. Many of his students have won top prizes in major international competitions (ARD, Wieniawski, Tchaikovsky, Queen Elisabeth, Indianapolis, Joachim, Thibaud, Enescu a.o.) and have become members of leading European orchestras.

Krzysztof Wegrzyn regularly holds master classes worldwide including at the Holland Music Sessions, Virtuoso & Belcanto, Accademia di Cagliari, Lake Constance Violin Festival and at the Conservatories in Geneva, Lausanne, Madrid, Florenz, New York, Beijing, Auckland, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. He has served on the juries of numerous international competitions (e. g. the Tchaikovski, Enescu, Kreisler, Paganini, ARD, Qingdao, Seoul, Singapore and Sendai). `Furthermore, he has also been greatly involved in chamber music and has founded the Ensemble ‘il gioco col suono’.

In 2004 he was awarded the State Music Prize and in 2018 the State Cross of Merit. He plays a venezian violin of Domenico Montagnana.

Image: THILO NASS

2022 COMPETITORS

THE RIN COLLECTION Guadagnini, Giovanni Battista, 1753

COMPETITORS

CLAIRE BOURG

UNITED STATES

Claire Bourg has been praised for being in “total command of music and instrument with an excellent sense of style and character” (Maestro Lawrence Rapchak). She has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras in such venues as Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, and Jordan Hall in Boston. A laureate of many competitions, Ms. Bourg has appeared on NPR and Chicago’s WFMT radio programs, and was awarded the second prize at the 2020 Lillian and Maurice Barbash JS Bach Competition, as well as the 2021 Luminarts Fellowship. An avid chamber musician, Claire has attended festivals such as Marlboro Festival, Yellow Barn, Ravinia, Taos, IMS Prussia Cove, and Gstaadt Menuhin Festival Academy where she has performed with Kim Kashkashian, Jorg Widmann and Frans Helmerson, among others. She performs regularly with Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players and has been a part of Curtis on Tour several times. She currently serves as the concertmaster of Symphony in C in Philadelphia. A native of Chicago, Ms. Bourg has an artist diploma from the Curtis Institute studying with Pamela Frank and Arnold Steinhardt, and as well as a bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory studying with Miriam Fried. She is currently a student of Joseph Lin at the Juilliard School.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 5, Op. 27

SESSION 2

W.A. MOZART: Sonata No. 18 in G major, K. 301

F. KREISLER: Syncopation

F. SCHUBERT: Fantasie in C major, D.934

SEMI-FINALS

B. BARTÓK: Violin Rhapsody No. 2, Sz. 90

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

R. SCHUMANN: Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

DANIIL BULAYEV

LATVIA

Daniil Bulayev is a current student of Prof.Petru Munteanu and Nelly Sarkisyan; he performs on a fine Italian violin by Nicolò Gagliano made in Naples in the 18th century, on a kind loan from the Florian Leonhard Fine Violins. Mr. Bulayev has taken part in masterclasses with Pavel Vernikov, Pierre Amoyal, Ivry Gitlis, Vera Tsu Weiling, Renaud Capucon, Sergey Khachatryan, Maxim Vengerov, Brian Lewis, Karen Aroutiounian, Jaqueline Ross, Boris Garlitsky, Dora Bratchkova, Hong Wang. He is also an active participant of the Kronberg Academy International Violin Masterclasses since 2019.

Daniil has appeared as a soloist with orchestras, collaborated with Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra „Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta”, Chamber Orchestra „Kremerata Baltica”, Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”, Sinfonietta Riga, Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Archi De Sono Orchestra Da Camera, La Mitteleuropa Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Armenian National Symphony & Chamber Orchestras, Macao Orchestra and the others. He is also a laureate of the following competitions: IX International Balys Dvarionas competition, 2012, Lithuania (Grand Prix); I Zhuhai International Mozart Competition, China, 2015, (1st prize); Il Piccolo Violino Magico, Italy, 2017, (1st prize); Leonid Kogan International violin competition, Belgium, 2019, (1st prize); Kloster Schöntal 18th International violin competition, 2019, (1st prize, 7th Reinhold Würth Promotion Prize).

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No.6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

F. KREISLER: Recitativo and Scherzo, Op. 6

H. WIENIAWSKI: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 15

SEMI-FINALS

R. SCHUMANN: Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

ANGELA SIN YING CHAN

HONG KONG SAR, CHINA

Angela Sin Ying Chan is a Hong Kong/China violinist. Some highlights among her awards are the 1st Prize and concerto performance award of the 8th International Louis Spohr Competition, 2nd prize of the 2nd Harbin International Music Competition, and laureate of the Michael Hill International Competition. She was recently selected as a finalist at the Shanghai Issac Stern Violin Competition.

Angela has appeared with orchestras including The Staatskapelle Weimar Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, EOS Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphonia, and the Chamber Orchestra of the Curtis Institute of Music. She has also held recitals in Beijing, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guizhou, Hong Kong, and Philadelphia.

Angela founded the AYA Piano Trio in 2013, which was awarded First Prize of WDAV Chamber Competition and the Yellow Spring Competition. AYA Piano Trio is currently represented by Jean Schreiber Management.

Angela holds a bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with Shmuel Ashkenasi, Pamela Frank, and Aaron Rosand. With full scholarship granted, she is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the New England Conservatory with Donald Weilerstein.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 5, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. SCHUBERT: Sonata in A major, D. 574

F. KREISLER: La Gitana

M. RAVEL: Tzigane

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

E.GRIEG: Sonata No. 3, Op. 45

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

I-HAO CHENG

CHINESE TAIPEI

I-hao Cheng is regarded as one of the most promising young violinists from Taiwan. I-hao started his first violin lesson at the age of 5 in Taiwan. A year later, he gave his first solo debut in front of over 1000 people. He went to Rochester, New York in 2012 to further his violin study under the tutelage of Mikhail Kopelman at the Eastman School of Music. He was the youngest violin student at Kopelman’s violin studio. In February 2013, he gave his first U.S. solo violin recital at Eastman School of Music. At the age of 15, he entered the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto where he worked with Victor Danchenko and Barry Shiffman with full scholarship. In 2016, I-hao entered the Curtis Institute of Music. He currently studies with Midori Goto and holds the Joseph and Marie Field fellowship.

I-hao is the recipient of the 30th Chimei Artist Award.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BVW 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 12 No. 3

F. KREISLER: Syncopation

N. MILSTEIN: Paganiniana for Violin Solo

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

J. HUBAY: Carmen Fantasie Brillante

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

COMPETITORS

ANNA AGAFIA EGHOLM

DENMARK

Currently serving as Artist-in-Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel under the guidance of Augustin Dumay, Danish-born violinist Anna Agafia Egholm is quickly gaining international recognition as one of the most promising concert artists to emerge from Scandinavia.

After having won all music competitions in Denmark, Anna moved to Switzerland and obtained her Bachelor and Soloist Master degrees at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne. During this time, the young violinist took her first steps towards a career as an international soloist – she won the competition Ginette Neveu in France, received 3rd Prize in the international Carl Nielsen competition, and was awarded 1st prize and a special prize in the Tibor Varga international violin competition.

Since then, Anna has led the life of a soloist and chamber musician. Aside from winning even more prizes, most recently in the 1st Stuttgart international competition, she is performing in some of the most prestigious halls in the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, to the Grange au Lac in Évian and the Grand Théâtre in Aix-en-Provence, occasionally alongside world-renowned prize-winning musicians.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 4, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 96

F. KREISLER: Recitativo & Scherzo Caprice, Op. 6

E. YSAŸE: Poème de l’Extase

SEMI-FINALS

J. BRAHMS: Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

M. RAVEL: Tzigane

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

COMPETITORS

AMIA JANICKI

SWITZERLAND

Born in 1997, the Swiss-Austrian violinist Amia Janicki began playing the violin at the age of three with Patricia Giannetti. She studied with Tedi Papavrami in Geneva and is currently pursuing her studies in Vienna at the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien in the class of Pavel Vernikov. Amia is a laureate of international competitions such as the Leonid Kogan Competition, Musica Juventutis and the Orpheus Chamber Music Competition. She benefits from the advice of great musicians such as Shmuel Ashkenasi, Thomas Brandis, Svetlin Roussev or Donald Weilerstein. She has also participated in numerous international academies and festivals, such as the Verbier Festival, the Festival de Sion or the Festival de La Roque-d’Anthéron and performs in Europe as well as in Japan and Brazil. She has collaborated in chamber music with musicians such as Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian, Tedi Papavrami, Xavier Phillips, Miguel da Silva or François Frédéric-Guy.

Amia Janicki was a member of the Aurora Piano Quartet, the first piano quartet in residence at the Queen Elisabeth Chapel in Belgium, followed by Miguel da Silva and the Artemis Quartet. She will also be artist-in-residence as a soloist in Augustin Dumay’s violin class in 2021.

Amia Janicki plays on a 1645 Niccolo Amati on loan from the Maggini Foundation with the generous support of LS Core.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 12 No. 3

F. KREISLER: Recitativo & Scherzo Caprice, Op. 6

M. RAVEL: Tzigane

SEMI-FINALS

C. FRANCK: Sonata in A major

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

I. STRAVINSKY: Divertimento

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

JUEUN JEONG

SOUTH KOREA

Jueun Jeong has won 2nd place with Audience award at the 2021 Isang Yun International Competition, and has been praised for being in “Graceful and elegant performing, as well as perfect”, “The music which appeals profound impression”.

She is also a laureate of many national competitions such as MPyC(International Music Festival in Pyeongchang) Concerto Competition, Sungjung Music Competition, KCO Music Competition, Eumag-chunchu Music Competition, and Joongang Music Concours.

When Ms. Jeong was the age of 13, she has performed in Kumho Prodigy Concert as her debut recital. After several years, she has appeared as a soloist with winning 4th place at the 2018 Seoul International Competition which is the first international competition for her.

She is continuing her various activities with interest in orchestra and chamber, and also she is playing as a violinist of “Eden Quartet” member.

Jueun Jeong has a bachelor’s degree from Korea National University of Arts studying with Nam Yun Kim and Harada Koichiro. She is currently a master student of Feng Ning at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D major, Op. 12 No. 1

F. KREISLER: Tambourin Chinois

E. YSAŸE/C. SAINT-SAËNS: Caprice d’après L’Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6

SEMI-FINALS

C. DEBUSSY: Sonata in G minor

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

K.SZYMANOWSKI: Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

YIYING JIANG

CHINA

Violinist Yiying Jiang, born in 1998 in Anhui, China, has been pursuing her Master degree of Music in the Central Conservatory of Music with Ti Zhang since 2009. Her former teachers include Yaoji Lin and Nan Xie.

Over the course of her violin studies, Yiying has participated and won prizes in various competitions, such as: First Prize in the 4th Singapore Violin Festival Competition in Jun. 2019; Second Prize and Best Capriccio Prize in Violin Group C of the 2nd Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians in Sep. 2017; First Prize in the 5th Chengdu Guang Ya International Violin Competition in Sep. 2016; Second Prize in violin division of The Alice & Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition in Jul. 2016; First Prize and Special Virtuoso Award in youth group of the 15th Kloster Schontal Violin International Competition in Aug. 2013.

Yiying has given many recitals many times and is often invited to give significant concerts. In March 2016, she was invited to perform with Paul Coletti in The 1st International Viola Teaching Seminar; In October 2013, under the invitation of Wing Ho, she attended the recording program ‘My Concert Hall—Classic Foreigner Music Appreciation’ which was proposed by the Former Premier State Council Lanqing Li.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

W.A. MOZART: Sonata No. 27 in G major, K. 379

F. KREISLER: Syncopation

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

SEMI-FINALS

E. DOHNÁNYI: Sonata, Op. 21

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

I. STRAVINSKY: Divertimento

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

HARAM KIM

SOUTH KOREA

Haram Kim started his violin study under the guidance of his instructor, Mr. Hae Yup Yang in Korea. During his time with Mr. Yang, Haram Kim won first prizes in the following Korean national competitions: Music Jeonal, Kukmin Ilbo, Strad and Yejin. He also performed with the two major Korean national orchestras, Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra and Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra.

At the age of 13, Mr. Kim was accepted as a student of the Curtis Institute of Music in 2011 and currently attends the Bachelor music program of the Curtis Institute of Music under the guidance of Mr. Shmuel Ashkenasi and Ms. Ida Kavafian. During his academic program, Mr. Kim won the third prize at Harbin International Competition 2019 and has participated in a summer festival, Music from Angel Fire 2018 in New Mexico and the international competitions: ARD Munich, Isang Yun TIMF, George Enescu, and Joseph Joachim Hannover competition.

Mr. Kim is currently receiving merit-based full-tuition scholarships by the Tobe Amsterdam Annual Fellow.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1

F. KREISLER: Shepherd’s Madrigal

F. WAXMAN: Carmen Fantasie

SEMI-FINALS

F. POULENC: Sonata, FP. 119

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

JOEY LAU

SINGAPORE

Joey Lau is a Singaporean violinist who graduated from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance (Honours with Distinction). She gained early admission into YSTCM at the age of 16, under the tutelage of Prof Qian Zhou, Head of Strings. Recently, she has just started her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance under Prof I-Hao Lee at DePaul School of Music, Chicago.

Being the 2017 Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award Winner, Joey was awarded the 3rd prize in the National Piano & Violin Competition (Artist Category) and was also the recipient of the Paul Abisheganaden Grant for Artistic Excellence in 2019. Besides winning prizes locally, Joey was also a two-time winner of the Danube International Concerto Competition in 2016 and 2017. Joey also took part in the Youth Music Culture Guangdong Festival led by Yo-Yo Ma, as the concertmaster and also Verbier Festival, as a member of the Junior Orchestra. Joey has performed in concert venues in China, UK, Italy, USA, Hungary, and Switzerland.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 4, Op. 27

SESSION 2

W.A. MOZART: Sonata No. 18 in G Major, K. 301

F. KREISLER: La Gitana

H. WIENIAWSKI: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 15

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Five Melodies, Op. 35b

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

J. CORIGLIANO: Sonata

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

EUNSEO LEE

SOUTH KOREA

Born in Korea, Eunseo Lee came into contact with the violin early on due to the influence of her parents, who are both musicians. From an early age, she won awards at various competitions in Korea. Following that she gained more experience through performing with various Philharmonics in Korea. In 2014, she won the 2nd Prize in the Alice & Ellenore Schoenfeld International String Competition, and in 2015, the 3rd Prize of the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition. In 2015, she performed her first solo recital at Kumho Art Hall in Korea.

Currently, Eunseo is studying with Ida Kavafian at the Curtis Institute of Music.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1

F. KREISLER: Tambourin Chinois, Op. 3

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

SEMI-FINALS

G. FAURÉ: Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

N. MILSTEIN: Paganiniana for Violin Solo

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

COMPETITORS

WILLIAM LEE

CHINESE TAIPEI

Violinist William Lee is the first prize winner of the 2013 Japan Euroasia International Violin Competition and has performed internationally in China, Japan, Europe, and the US. During his participation in 2019 Queen Elisabeth Competition, William was called “the surprise of the day” by Belgian daily newspaper “Le Soir”, and was praised for his technique and “mature musical universe”.

At age 5, William was awarded 1st Prize at the Taiwan National Genius Musician Competition, and five years later, won 1st Prize at the Taiwan National Music Competition. While studying with Lina Yu and Mengla Huang at the Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music, William received the Ishikawa Music Award granting him full scholarship to the Ishikawa Music Academy, and was the concertmaster of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Middle School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He was also a featured performer for the 2013 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference Closing Ceremony Concert. William has performed as soloist with Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Tianjin Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Muhai Tang. He has also been featured on Shanghai Television Station, Qingdao TV Station and Taiwan National Education Radio.

William is currently studying at The Juilliard School with Masao Kawasaki.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. KREISLER: Praeludium and Allegro

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1

E. YSAŸE/C. SAINT-SAËNS: Caprice d’après L’Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6

SEMI-FINALS

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

I. STRAVINSKY: Divertimento

J. BRAHMS: Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

RUIFENG LIN

CHINA

Ruifeng Lin is currently studying with China’s famous violinist and educator Vera Tsu Weiling. He serves as the concertmaster of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra, as well as the New-Classical Chamber Orchestra. In 2012, he was admitted to the High School Attached to Shanghai Conservatory of Music where he studied under Professor Zhou Mingen.

Lin has won numerous awards, to name a few: in 2014 he won the first place in the 4th International Violin Competition in Hong Kong; in 2015, he won the first prize of the 11th China National Violin Youth Competition and the Chinese Works Performance Award; during 2016-17, he held a solo recital under the program ‘Sounds to Fly’ of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music; in 2017 he won the fourth place in the Youth Professional Group of the 1st International Violin Competition of Shlomo Mintz. In 2019 he was selected into the ‘Dengfeng Talent’ program of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and in the same year he won the ‘Golden Bell’ violin competition. In October 2020, he was awarded the “Young Musician Award” at the 23rd Beijing International Music Festival.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 4, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24

F. KREISLER: Caprice Viennois, Op. 2

N. MILSTEIN: Paganiniana for Violin Solo

SEMI-FINALS

M. RAVEL: Sonata in G major

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H.W. ERNST: Etude No. 6 in G Major, “Die letze rose”

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

F. MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

COMPETITORS

TIANYOU MA

CHINA

Tianyou has been a top prize winner in numerous international competitions, including the Menuhin Violin Competition in 2018 (where he was also the recipient of the Bach Prize), the Postacchini Competition in 2015, the Eisteddfod string competition in 2010, and the International Summer Academy of the MDW string competition in 2018.

His music playing has been broadcasted on the online Strad magazine, BBC 3 radio, and OE1 radio in Vienna. Tianyou has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Webern Kammerphilharmonie, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Doctors’ Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and Adelaide Youth Orchestra in Australia. He has performed as a soloist in many countries in Europe, Asia, the USA, and Oceana. Tianyou has been invited to attend the Verbier Festival Academy in the summer of 2021.

Tianyou started his undergraduate study with a full tuition scholarship at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in August of 2019, studying with Pamela Frank and Shmuel Ashkenasi.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. SCHUBERT: Sonata in A major, D. 574

F. KREISLER: Recitativo and Scherzo, Op. 6

N. MILSTEIN: Paganiniana for Violin Solo

SEMI-FINALS

R. STRAUSS: Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H.W. ERNST: Etude No. 6 in G Major, “Die letze rose”

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

NATHAN MELTZER

UNITED STATES

Recipient of the 2020 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant, and youngest ever to win the Windsor Festival International String Competition, Nathan has been a soloist with the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, and the Aalborg, Berlin, Concepción, Evansville, Indianapolis, Medellín, and Pittsburgh orchestras, among others, performing in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, the UK, and across the US.

As a recitalist and chamber musician, Nathan has performed at ChamberFest Cleveland, Giardini La Mortella, the Heidelberger Frühling, the Krzyżowa Festival, the Moritzburg Festival, the Musical de l’Orne, the Perlman Chamber Workshop, and the Verbier Festival Academy.

Nathan’s 2020-21 season includes the release of his debut CD with Rohan De Silva, appearances with the Adelphi and Charlotte Symphony orchestras, and the launch of Opus Illuminate, an organization dedicated to the works of composers from underrepresented communities.

Nathan studies with Itzhak Perlman and Li Lin at Juilliard. He was the inaugural recipient of the 1734 “Ames, Totenberg” Antonio Stradivari violin from Rare Violins In Consortium.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 2, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. SCHUBERT: Sonata in A major, D 574

F. KREISLER: Li Gitana

K. SZYMANOWSKI: Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28

SEMI-FINALS

R. STRAUSS: Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

E. YSAŸE/C. SAINT-SAËNS: Caprice d’après L’Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

ELIAS DAVID MONCADO GERMANY

21-year-old German violinist Elias David Moncado is the youngest ever winner of the 1st grand prize as well as 10 special prizes at the 2019 International Karol Lipinski Violin Competition in Poland. Additionally, he was the youngest prizewinner at the 2019 International Sendai Violin Competition Japan and at the 2017 Concours International de l’Orchestre Philharmonique of Morocco, and previously was a prizewinner at the International Louis Spohr and International Andrea Postacchini Violin Competitions. At the age of 10, he was the youngest ever winner of the Europäischer Hoffnungspreis in the history of the European Cultural Foundation Pro Europa. At the age of 12, he made his debut at the Berliner Philharmonie with the Deutsches Kammerorchester Berlin. As a soloist he has performed with numerous orchestras like Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra, hrSymphonieorchester, Philharmonic Orchestra Freiburg and Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra Japan. Elias was a soloist at numerous festivals like the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and Kissinger Musiksommer. His previous teachers include Prof. Latica Honda-Rosenberg and Prof. Zakhar Bron. He is currently studying at the Mozarteum Salzburg with Prof. Pierre Amoyal.

He plays a violin by Giambattista Rogeri of Brescia (around 1700) from the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben Hamburg.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

C. SAINT-SAËNS: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28

F. KREISLER: Liebesleid

SEMI-FINALS

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

C. DEBUSSY: Sonata in G minor, L. 140

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

GEORGII MOROZ

UKRAINE

Georgii Moroz was born on April 7, 2001 in Kyiv, Ukraine to a family of musicians. He started playing the violin at the age of five. From 2011 till 2019 Georgii was studying in Kyiv Special Music School named after M. Lysenko where he started his performing activities and successfully graduated in 2019 with many honours. Georgii was a concertmaster of Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and performed with many orchestras and chamber ensembles that included string quartets (where he played viola sometimes), piano trios, duets, etc. Georgii also a laureate of many Ukraininan and international competitions, such as International violin competition “Eugen Coca” (XIX, XXI) - Kishinev, Moldova; International violin competition “Cornelia Bronzetti” (2014) - Romania; International violin competition “Grumiaux” (2017) - Brussels, Belgium; “Leonid Kogan” all-Ukrainian violin competition (2018) - Ukraine, and many others. As a young artist, Georgii had two recitals in the Bucharest Philharmonic (2014, 2016) and took part in many masterclass with well-known artists such as Shlomo Mintz, Midori Goto, Chaim Taub, Dmintry Berlinsky and many others.

Since 2019 Georgii has been studying at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Professor Qian Zhou. Nowadays Georgii engages intensively in both performing activities and theoretical research.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

W.A. MOZART: Sonata No. 22 in A major, K. 305

F. KREISLER: Syncopation

F. VECSEY: Valse Triste

SEMI-FINALS

B. BARTÓK: Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

V. KOSENKO: Dreams

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

COMPETITORS

YUKARI OHNO

JAPAN

Yukari Ohno was born in Japan in1995. She began to play the violin at the age of 2. She has won prizes at international competitions (including Valsesia Musica International Competition in Italy, International Violin Competition Vasco Abadijev in Bulgaria, the International Queen Sophie-Charlotte Violin Competition in Germany, International Competition for Young Violinist in Honor of Karol Lipinski and Henryk Wieniawski in Poland) and national competitions in Japan. Yukari has performed in several concerts as a soloist with various orchestras at international music festivals in Japan.

Every summer season, she plays Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as a soloist in Stephansdom with The Vienna Chamber Orchestra. She also performed as a member of the chamber music at Mozarthaus Vienna, Schuberthaus, Wiener Musikverein and Muth, and also performed contemporary music works of Krzysztof Penderecki, Johanes Maria Staud, Morton Feldman, Olivier Messiaen.

Yukari graduated Toho Gakuen Music High School in Tokyo as a top student, subsequently she graduated the Solist Diplome Course of Toho Gakuen College Musik Department under the tutelage of Prof. Akiko Tatsumi. She is currently a student of the Music and Arts University of the city of Vienna under Prof. Boris Kuschnir.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23

F. KREISLER: Liebesleid

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34

SEMI-FINALS

C. DEBUSSY: Sonata in G minor, L. 140

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

F. SCHUBERT: Rondo in B minor, D. 895

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

S. PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63

TASSILO PROBST

GERMANY

The violinist Tassilo Probst (born in Munich, 2002) received his first violin lessons at the age of 4. As a private student of Prof. David Frühwirth, he became a junior student at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich at the age of 12 and is now continuing his studies there with Prof. Ingolf Turban after completing his Abitur at the age of 16. He is currently being taught by Prof. Linus Roth Leopold Mozart Centre of the University of Augsburg, Germany. He receives additional musical impulses at the Zakhar Bron Academy in Interlaken/Switzerland with Prof. Zakhar Bron.

At the age of 14 he made his concert debut with Glazunov’s Violin Concerto, and at 16 he played Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in the Herkulessaal of the Munich Residenz. Since then he has been welcomed as a soloist with a wide variety of orchestras in Germany and abroad, and has worked with renowned conductors. In 2020 he was presented as a young artist by München TV, BR Klassik and by Daniel Hope on ARTE TV’s Hope@Home. He is also a prizewinner of renowned national and international competitions, such as Rubinstein, Bechstein, Wieniawski/Lipinski, Spohr, Enescu, Tibor Varga and many more.

Tassilo is a scholarship holder of the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben and plays a violin by “Giovanni Grancino” (Milan 1690).

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

R. SHCHEDRIN: Variations and Theme

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3

F. KREISLER: Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6

SEMI-FINALS

C. FRANCK: Sonata in A major

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

M. WEINBERG: Rhapsody on Moldovan Themes, Op. 47 No. 3

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

COMPETITORS

TOMOTAKA SEKI JAPAN

Since his orchestral debut at the age of ten, Tomotaka Seki has been establishing himself as a promising young artist, and has been praised for his profound knowledge of music and unparalleled musicality.Born in 1998, he began playing the violin at the age of 3, and by the age of 12, he won first prizes at the prestigious Student Music Concours of Japan in Tokyotwo consecutive years (2010 and 2011).

In August 2018, Tomotaka was awarded First prize at the Tokyo Music Competition, and subsequently given engagements to perform concertos and recitals throughout Japan.

He has performed with various orchestras including Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and has given recitals in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and other places.

Tomotaka’s musical talent and passion expand beyond the solo career, and he has been very active with his quartet, The Cercatore Quartet. He has been performing various types of chamber music both with his quartet and members of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. He also currently performs with the NHK Symphony Orchestra as its Academy student. Tomotaka currently continues his study at the Tokyo College of Music as an Honorary Scholarship Student under the tutelage of Koichiro Harada and Mayuko Kamio.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor. Op. 30 No. 2

F. KREISLER: Liebesleid

H. WIENIAWSKI: Polonaise No. 1 in D major, Op. 4

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

E. CHAUSSON: Poème, Op. 25

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47

DMYTRO UDOVYCHENKO

UKRAINE

Dmytro has been studying music since the age of five. At the age of six he began studying at the Kharkiv Specialized Music School in the class of Lyudmila Varenina. Dmytro is a winner of many international music competitions. He won the main prizes at the III International Leopold Auer Competition 2015 (Russia), at the V Yasha Heifetz International Violin Competition 2017 (Lithuania) and the Grand Prix at the 2018 Andrea Postacchini Competition (Italy). In October 2018 Dmytro received the Second Prize, the Audience Choice Award, and the Internet Community Prize at the Josef Joachim International Violin Competition (Germany). He played the Pietro Guarneri 1702 violin , provided by the Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz Foundation.

Dmytro has performed with famous orchestras: Brandenburger Symphoniker, Slovak Sinfonietta, Sønderiyllands Symphoniker (Denmark), NDR Radiophilarmonie, Moscow Virtuosos Orchestra conducted by Volodymyr Spivakov (Moscow), National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine (Kyiv), Youth Symphonic Orchestra (Kharkiv), Luhansk Philharmonic Orchestra, and Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr Udovychenko participated in master classes of such famous professors as Boris Garlitsky, Natalia Boyarska, Olga Parkhomenko, Dmytro Sytkovetsky, Serhiy Ostrovsky, Anna Chumachenko, Stephan Picard, Leonidas Kavakos, and Christian Tetzlaff.

In 2013, he was accepted to the class of Professor Boris Garlitsky at Junior Department of the Folkwang Universität der Künste (Essen, Germany). In October 2016, he started his Bachelor degree at the same university.

Dmytro participated in the projects of Kronberg Academy, Violin Channel and Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. SCHUBERT: Sonata in A major, D. 574

F. KREISLER: Recitativo and Scherzo, Op. 6

E. YSAŸE/C. SAINT-SAËNS: Caprice d’après L’Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6

SEMI-FINALS

B. BARTÓK: Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

F. WAXMAN: Carmen Fantasie

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

YUKIKO UNO

JAPAN

Japanese violinist Yukiko Uno has been a laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition. Previously she won the 1st prize at the International Andrea Postacchini Violin Competition (Italy) and the Chengdu Guangya Violin Competition (China). Furthermore she was awarded the prestigious “Paul Roczek Award 2020” from University Mozarteum Salzburg.

Yukiko has performed soloistically with Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, Belgian National Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Lviv Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Nagoya, under the batons of Jean-Jacques Kantorow, Hugh Wolff, Johannes Kalitzke, Eiji Oue, Kazuki Wada amongst many others.

She has played as a soloist and a chamber musician at various international festivals such as Yellow Barn (USA), Palermo Classica (Italy), Classy Sundays (Belgium), St.Gellert International Music Festival (Hungary).

Yukiko enrolled in the Tokyo University of the Arts in the class of Natsumi Tamai, and continued her study at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg in the class of Pierre Amoyal and Rainer Schmidt, where she obtained her Bachelor degree with the highest honor. Currently she studies the MA in Solo Performance, in the class of Rainer Schmidt at Musik Akademie Basel, as a scholarship recipient from the Yamaha Music Foundation from 2021.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

F. KREISLER: Caprice Viennois, Op. 2

J. WIDMANN: Étude Nos. 1 & 3

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

COMPETITORS

EIMI WAKUI

JAPAN

Eimi Wakui is a winner of several international violin competitions such as the 3rd prize in the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition Sion Valais, prize winner and special prize in the International Violin Competition – Toruń 2016, 1st prize in the Euro Asia Young International Competition, 2nd prize in the Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition, 3rd prize in the Mirecourt International Violin Competition, 6th prize in The International Vaclav Huml Violin Competition, finalist in the International Isang Yun competition, 3rd prize in the Yankelevitch International Violin Competition, 5th prize in the Schoenfeld International String Competition, 2nd prize in the Antonio Vivaldi International Competition Vienna and prize winner and special prize the International Karol Lipiński Violin Competition – Toruń.

Her performances as a soloist with Orchestras are such as Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Switzerland), Torun Symphony Orchestra (Poland), Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra (Japan), Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy (France), Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia), Lviv Regional Philharmonic (Ukraine), Witold Lutosławski Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra (Poland), Tongyeong Festival Orchestra (South Korea), Omsk Academic Symphony Orchestra (Russia) and Harbin Symphony Orchestra (China).

A graduate of the Toho Gakuen College Music Department, she is currently studying at the University Mozarteum Salzburg with Professor Pierre Amoyal.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 2, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 12 No. 3

F. KREISLER: Praeludium and Allegro

W. LUTOSLAWSKI: Partita for Violin and Piano

SEMI-FINALS

B. BARTÓK: Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

M. RAVEL: Sonata in G major

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

J. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

SARA WATANABE JAPAN

Sara Watanabe was born in Japan in 2005 and began playing the violin at the age of three.

She studied with Professor Machie Oguri and Professor Koichiro Harada at Tokyo College of Music High School as a scholarship student. She is a semi-finalist of the 2019 Louis Spohr International Violin Competition. In 2019 she took part in the Mozarteum International Summer Academy and studied with Professor Zakhar Bron.

She has also won numerous prizes in Japan: in 2018 she won first prize at the All Student Music Competition Osaka tournament of Japan. In 2021, she won the Hamano JACK solist audition and performed Tchaikovsky’s concerto with the Hamano Jack Orchestra.

In addition, she won first prize at 26th Kobe International Music Competition and second prize at 24th Himeji Parnassus Music Competition.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 5, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor Op. 30 No. 2

F. KREISLER: Syncopation

E. YSAŸE/C. SAINT-SAËNS: Caprice d’après L’Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6

SEMI-FINALS

G. FAURÉ: Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

I. STRAVINSKY: Duo Concertant

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

COMPETITORS

CHRISTINE WU

UNITED STATES

Violinist-violist hybrid Christine Wu has been hailed for her “strikingly bold sound” and “technical facility” (Theater Jones), and performs internationally with recent appearances in Dallas, Cleveland, New York City, Magdeburg, and Köthen, Germany. She has been heard as a soloist with several orchestras ranging from one of America’s top orchestras – the Dallas Symphony Orchestra – to the community-based Mesquite Symphony Orchestra. She performed Elgar’s Violin Concerto in Severance Hall, home of The Cleveland Orchestra, as the top prize winner of the 2016 Cleveland Institute of Music Concerto Competition. She was also named winner of the Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition, Juanita Miller Concerto Competition, and at the Aspen Music Festival and School’s Low Strings Concerto Competition as a violist and performed Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto with the Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra in 2018. In October 2021, she will be presenting a full program of works by women and black composers for solo violin and solo viola as one of six finalists for the Berlin Prize for Young Artists competition.

Christine studied at the Manhattan School of Music, The Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music with Sylvia Rosenberg, Nicholas Mann, Masao Kawasaki, and Jaime Laredo. She also holds a minor in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

E.T. ZWILICH: Fantasy for Solo Violin

F. KREISLER: Schön Rosmarin

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

SEMI-FINALS

F. POULENC: Sonata, FP. 119

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H. WIENIAWSKI: Polonaise Brillante No. 2 in A major, Op. 21

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 493

GRAND FINAL

S. PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63

JINYOUNG YOON

SOUTH KOREA

Jinyoung Yoon was born in South Korea in 1998. She started playing the violin at the age of 5 and attended Yewon Middle School of Music in Seoul.

While studying with Joseph Kim and Boksu Kim, Jinyoung won the grand prize in Music Education Newspaper Competition and first prize in Baroque Competition in Korea. In 2010, she was selected and presented in the Kumho Prodigy recital series. Jin Young has performed with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Myung-Whun Chung.

In 2012, she was accepted to the Juilliard Pre-College program, and studied with Hyo Kang. She won the Pre-college Assemble Competition, and performed as a soloist at the annual Juilliard orchestra concert.

She has attended the Yellow Barn Music Festival, Great Mountains International Music Festival, Sejong International Festival, Heifetz International Music institute for Ashkenasi/Kirshbaum program, and violin Masterclasses at Kronberg Academy. Jinyoung has had masterclasses with Donald Weilerstein, Augustin Hadelich, and Benjamin Schmid.

She entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2016, and studied with Aaron Rosand. She’s now studying with Midori Goto at Curtis.

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 3, Op. 27

SESSION 2

F. KREISLER: Caprice Viennois, Op. 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23

J. HUBAY: Carmen Fantasie

SEMI-FINALS

L. JANÁČEK: Sonata

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

J. BRAHMS: Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

SIQI YU

CHINA

Siqi Yu was born in 1998 in China. She began her first violin lesson at the age of five and made her debut at seven years old .In 2012, she was admitted into middle school affiliated to Shanghai conservatory of music.

She has participated in many music festivals, such as Matsumoto music festival in Japan and Keshet Eilon music festival. She had masterclasses with violinist Midori Goto, Zhou Qian, Vadim Gluzman, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Ilya Kaler, Donald Weilerstein, Lewis Kaplan and conductor Andrew Manze. She is a prizewinner of Lipizer international competition and Hongkong international violin competition. From 2020, she became the young artist in Musethica program, together played chamber music with Avri Levitan, Béatrice Muthelet, Kati Raitinen and Jonathan Brown.

She is studying with Erik Schumann at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main and plays on a Ferdinando Gagliano (1775-1780).

PROGRAMME

FIRST ROUND

SESSION 1

J.S. BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003

E. YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6, Op. 27

SESSION 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1

F. KREISLER: Schön Rosmarin

H.W. ERNST: Caprice on Schubert’s “Erlkönig”

SEMI-FINALS

S. PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80

KOH CHENG JIN: Before Daybreak

H. WIENIAWSKI: Fantasia on Themes from ‘Faust’, Op. 20

FINALS

W.A. MOZART: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

GRAND FINAL

P.I. TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

SIVC OFFICIAL PIANISTS

GE XIAOZHE

Xiaozhe is currently a faculty accompanist at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, working in the studio of Prof. Qian Zhou. His teachers include Prof. Dan Zhaoyi, Melvyn Tan, and Dr. Thomas Hecht.

He works with renowned musicians in recitals and masterclasses, such as Shlomo Mintz, Boris Kuschnir, Midori Goto, Victor Danchenko, Pierre Amoyal, Vadim Repin, Cho-Liang Lin, Nam-Yun Kim, and Takashi Shimizu.

Xiaozhe performs also as a pianist in various festivals and competitions, such as the Singapore Violin Festival, Liang Zhu Violin Festival, Hangzhou, HKIVS Shlomo Mintz International Violin Competition, Singapore International Violin Competition, giving Lecture-Performances of 10 Beethoven violin sonatas with Petru Munteanu, and performing a LectureConcert series of Prokofiev violin works with Qian Zhou in multiple cities.

As a soloist, Xiaozhe performs with orchestras such as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Kid’s Philharmonic Singapore, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra, and others.

SIVC OFFICIAL PIANISTS

THOMAS HOPPE

Thomas Hoppe is internationally recognised as an exceptional collaborative pianist.

He performs frequently with instrumentalists and singers in the U.S. and in Europe and has concertized as Duopartner with such eminent artists as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Antje Weithaas, Zakhar Bron, Tabea Zimmermann, Jens Peter Maintz, Alban Gerhardt and Frans Helmerson, to name but a few. He has performed with string quartets such as the Shanghai, the Simply, the Mandelring, and the Modigliani Quartet.

As pianist of the ATOS Trio and the ensemble 4.1 piano windtet he performs throughout the world and records to highest acclaim.

Hoppe works regularly as official pianist for international competitions such as the Queen Elizabeth Brussels, Joseph Joachim Hannover and Indianapolis. He has taught masterclasses in Collaborative Piano /Accompanying as well as Chambermusic throughout Europe, in Japan, China and the USA. In 2019 , he was jury member at the Trondheim International Chambermusic Competition. He served as faculty member and staff accompanist for the Perlman Music Program at the invitation of Itzhak Perlman, whose entire studio Hoppe accompanied at the Juilliard School for many years.

After being full-time faculty at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Thomas Hoppe followed a call in 2018 to Folkwang University as Professor for Piano Chamber music. He resides with his wife Sissy, three children Antonio, Maria and Samson, and their small dog Filou in Berlin.

NATSUMI OHNO

Pianist Natsumi Ohno was born in Japan and began studying music in Tokyo. She later completed her Konzertexamen with Prof. Bernd Goetzke at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. In addition to her soloist training, she specialised in song accompaniment in Justus Zeyen’s class as well as instrument accompaniment for strings and woodwinds. During her studies, she received stipends from Tokyo College of Music as well as the Yehudi Menuhin foundation “Live Music Now”.

Natsumi Ohno is an awardee of the International Chamber Music Competition ‘Premio Trio di Trieste’ and of the International Piano Competition ‘Citta di Sulmona’ in Italy. She has appeared as an accompanist at a variety of violin competitions, music festivals and masterclasses, including the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover, Singapore International Violin Competition, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, recitals at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the International Festival of Young Violin Masters Lindau, the IMAS International Music Academy in Germany, the International Holland Music Sessions, the Morges Music Academy in Switzerland, the Summer Academy Cervo and the International Music Academy of Cagliari in Italy, Strings Concert Academy in San Marino and Gdansk Music Festival in Poland. She has worked with such celebrated professors as Krzysztof Wegrzyn, Pierre Amoyal, Hatto Beyerle, Dag Jensen, Martin Ostertag, György Pauk, Ulf Schneider, Krzysztof Smietana, Andriy Viytovych und Tilmann Wick.

Natsumi Ohno is full time faculty at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater and Medien Hannover.

Image: ZUZANNA SPECJAL

EVGENY SINAISKI

Born into a distinguished musical family in St. Petersburg, Russia, pianist Evgeny Sinaiski has carved a unique niche as one of the most sought after and highly respected chamber music partners and pedagogues in Europe.

Professor of chamber music and an official accompanist at the Vienna Conservatoire, Mr. Sinaiski also leads a duo class at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen, Germany. He collaborates with many important musicians of our day such as Herman Krebbers, Boris Kuschnir, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Helmut Zehetmair, Hatto Beyerle, Vadim Gluzman, Stephan Pikard, Latica Honda-Rosenberg, Jens Peter Maintz, Alexander Huelshoff, Alexander Zemtsow, Michael Kugel, Ivan Monigetti and Kirill Rodin in concerts and master-classes around the world.

Mr. Sinaiski has performed as a soloist with Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Latvian State Chamber Orchestra and Bolshoy Theatre Orchestra of Minsk. He appears regularly at most important venues on the continent including Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Tonhalle in Dusseldorf, Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Herkulessaal in Munich, as well as Brussels’ Palais de Beaux-Arts, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall and Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. In 2008 he has made a successful debut as producer and pianist at Frankfurt’s Alte Oper and in 2010 appeared for the first time at Salzburg Festival.

Evgeny Sinaiski is actively performing and teaching in Asia. Since 2016 he regularly appears on Singapore Violin Festival as a partner pianist. He made his debut in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan hall in 2016, followed by performances in 2018 in Forbidden City hall in Beijing, Symphony Hall in Shanghai. He also gave masterclasses in China Conservatory (Beijing), University of Arts Jinan.

Prize winner of international competitions such as ARD in Munich, Shostakovich Competition in Hannover and contests in Netherlands, Latvia and Russia, Mr. Sinaiski’s recordings can be heard on “Gramola” label, as well as on BBC, ORF, Bavarian Radio, and radio stations in Italy, Latvia, Russia and Slovenia among many others.

Dedicated educator, Evgeny Sinaiski is a faculty member and staff pianist of such distinguished master-classes as Salzburg Mozarteum Summer Academy, Bavarian Music Academy, Festival Les Arcs in France and “Villa-Musica” in Germany. In addition, Mr. Sinaiski has assumed the role of official pianist at Singapore,Wieniawsky and Lipizer International Violin Competitions. Between the years 2002 and 2010 he led the chamber music class at the RimskyKorsakov Conservatoire in St. Petersburg, and served as a coach pianist at the UDK Berlin.

SIVC COMPOSER and COMMISSIONED WORK

SIVC COMPOSER and COMMISSIONED WORK

KOH CHENG JIN SINGAPORE

BEFORE DAYBREAK

Before Daybreak pays homage to solitude and loss, and is inspired by Chinese poet Bai Juyi’s Song of Everlasting Sorrow. A violinist and Chinese instrumentalist herself, Koh connects elements of Chinese music such as erhu (Chinese fiddle) technique with her work for solo violin, in a “musical poem dedicated to all forms of yearning”.

The Singapore International Violin Competition 2021 Commissioned Work and Prize for the Best Performer of the Commissioned Work are supported by the Kris Foundation.

Koh Cheng Jin (b.1996) is a Singaporean composer, Yang Qin performer and violinist currently based in New York. Being a Western and Chinese trained musician, her works incorporate various influences from these worlds and reflect her passionate enthusiasm in unifying colorful music idioms. She has been commissioned by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), members of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), Dingyi Music Company, School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) Chinese Music Ensemble and other ensembles. Her achievements abroad include winning the Society for New Music 2020 New York Federation of Music Clubs’ Brian Israel Prize, 2020 Palmer Dixon Prize for the most outstanding work and 2019 Gena Raps Chamber Music Competition from The Juilliard School, 2019 Margaret Blackburn and John Eaton Memorial Competitions and the 2018 Boston New Music Initiative’s 4th Annual Young Composer Competition. Her music has been performed in Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and China. She obtained the International Baccalaureate Diploma from SOTA before attaining her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Composition at Juilliard. where she is currently continuing her graduate studies with Robert Beaser. Currently, she a MacCracken PhD Fellow and Teaching Assistant at New York University (College of Arts and Science).

ARTISTS

GUEST ARTISTS

Recently promoted to Full Professor of Piano at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, Tiu is a prizewinner of competitions in Calgary (Honens), Santander (Paloma O’Shea) and Helsinki (Maj Lind). He won First Prize and two special prizes, for Best Mozart Concerto and Best Piano Concerto, in the 1996 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, he has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic and Winnipeg Symphony. In 2005, Tiu gave the Singapore premiere of Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Known for his innovative programming, he has presented thought-provoking thematic recitals: “Nocturnal Fantasies”, and “Chopin: Before & Beyond”.

65

GUEST ARTISTS

MIGUEL DA SILVA Viola

Franco-Swiss musician, Miguel da Silva was born in Reims in 1961. He started studying at the Conservatoire of his native city before moving to Paris where he was a student at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique with Serge Collot. He was awarded first prize in chamber music and also for viola, unanimously with special vote by the jury. In 1985 he won the first Prize of the International chamber music competition in Paris (sonata). His passion for string quartet led him to found the Ysaÿe Quartet with 3 of his friends. The Ysaÿe Quartet has then studied with the Amadeus String Quartet. After winning the first prizes in Evian, the members of the Ysaÿe Quartet soon started an international career that led them throughout the world, from Japan to America. This brillant thirty year carrer was brought to an end in January 2014, after a major series of concerts, with a special emphasis on the music of Beethoven. In the past few years, engagements either as a solo player or with his quartet have led him to the Wigmore Hall in London and most of the greatest concert halls in Europe (Munich/Herkulesaal, Venice/Teatro della Fenice, Copenhague, Helsinki, Amsterdam/Concertgebouw, Hannover, Basel, Baden-Baden, Salzburg/Festspielhaus, Leipzig ) and he has toured in Belgium, USA, Japan and Italy.

Miguel da Silva has appeared as a soloist with the Paris Chamber Orchestra, the Polish Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre d’Auvergne, the Franz-Liszt orchestra of Budapest, the Orchestra de Bretagne, and the Orchestre “Les Siecles”. As a very sought for chamber music player, his partners are Michel Portal, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Paul Meyer, Leonidas Kavakos, Pierre Amoyal, Augustin Dumay, Nikita Boriso-Glebksy, Antonio Meneses, Jean-François Heisser, Truls Mork, Henri Demarquette, Gary Hoffmann, Emmanuel Pahud, Christophe Coin... Parallelly to his Cds with the Ysaÿe Quartet, Miguel da Silva has recorded under the labels Accord, Valois-Auvidis, Philips, Harmonia Mundi etc... He also founded his own record company : Ysaÿe Records, and under the label Nascor, offers young musicians the opportunity to make their very first recording.

In 1994, he started a class of string quartets (premiere in France !) and has since then been teaching a whole new generation of french and european quartets and chamber music groups at the Conservatoire National de Région in Paris. In 2008, he was appointed as a professor in Luebeck’s Musikhochschule (Germany)- where he took over Walter Levine’s position, as a tutor at the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) and for Vienna Music University’s Summer Academy (ISA). In 2009, he joined Geneva’s Haute Ecole de Musique (Switzerland) as a viola and chamber music teacher, and became the artistic director of Villecroze’ Académie musicale (France). Since 2014, he is Master in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium.

Image: FRANCOIS SECHET

WANG ZIHAO

Cello

Wang Zihao started his career as a cellist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Recently in 2021, Zihao joined the T’ang String Quartet.

Zihao has given many successful concerts and solo performances in Europe, Singapore and China. The concert halls that he has performed including Philharmonie Berlin, Frauenkirche Dresden, National Center for the Performing Arts, Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade Concert Hall, among many others.

Born and raised in a music encouraged family, Zihao started to learn cello at the age of 4 with professor Liu Zhengtan, and later with professor Chen Yuan and professor Na Mula at the middle school of the Central Conservatory of Music at Beijing. During his time at the Central Conservatory, Zihao was the principal cellist of the China’s Youth Symphony Orchestra. Also, Zihao was admitted to the Morningside Music Bridge from 2007 to 2009, where he won the first prize of the concerto competition. In 2011, Zihao entered the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music to study with world renowned cellist Qin Li-Wei, where he won the first prize of the concerto competition.

CONDUCTOR

JOSHUA TAN

A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music, Joshua Tan was 2nd Prize winner of the Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition and an awardee of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Young Artist Award - Singapore, Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award, NAC-Shell Scholarship, and the SSO/MOE Scholarship. He was also the first conductor to be presented the Charles Schiff prize from the Juilliard School. For an unprecedented two years running, his performances of The Bernstein’s Mass and the opera Don Pasquale were selected as the best classical concert of the year 2018 and 2019 by the Straits Times.

Joshua has conducted orchestras all around the world. These orchestras include the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, Beethoven Bonn Orchestra, Urals Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Okayama Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Julliard Orchestra amongst others. He has studied with various eminent conductors—James DePreist, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman and Kurt Masur—and worked with many others, such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Ingo Metzmacher and George Manahan.

Known as a versatile conductor, Joshua is at home with symphonic, operatic and ballet works. His substantial repertoire for opera includes La Traviata, Rigoletto, Der Fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Carmen, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Così fan tutte, Turandot, among others. He has also served as cover conductor for Christoph Eschenbach and Lorin Maazel. He is also equally adept with music for ballet, film and multimedia. For the latter, his extensive work include Disney’s Fantasia and Pixar, all three instalments of BBC’s Blue Planet Series, West Side Story, Jurassic Park and more.

Presently Principal Conductor of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, he has served successful stints as Resident Conductor of the National Center for the Performing Arts (China) Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the SIngapore Symphony Orchestra.Season 21/22 sees return engagements with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Singapore Ballet , as well as debuts with the Gunma Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and a new opera premiere in Hong Kong amongst others.

THE RIN COLLECTION Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, 1730

ORCHESTRA

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Since its founding in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has been Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene in the cosmopolitan city-state. The SSO is led by Music Director Hans Graf, the third in the orchestra’s history after Lan Shui (1997-2019) and Choo Hoey (19791996).

In addition to its subscription series concerts, the orchestra is well-loved for its outdoor and community appearances, and its significant role educating the young people of Singapore. The SSO has also earned an international reputation for its orchestral virtuosity, having garnered sterling reviews for its overseas tours and many successful recordings. In 2021, the SSO clinched third place in the prestigious Orchestra of the Year Award by Gramophone.

The SSO makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat Esplanade Concert Hall. More intimate works, as well as outreach and community performances take place at the 673-seat Victoria Concert Hall, the Home of the SSO. The orchestra performs over 60 concerts a year, and its versatile repertoire spans all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres. The SSO launched its digital concert hall, SSOLOUNGE, in 2021. Bridging the musical traditions of East and West, Singaporean and Asian musicians and composers are regularly showcased in its concert seasons.

Beyond Singapore, the SSO has performed to acclaim in Europe, Asia and the USA, including at the Dresden Music Festival, the Berlin Philharmonie and the BBC Proms in London. The SSO has collaborated with such great artistes as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Gustavo Dudamel, Charles Dutoit, Joe Hisaishi, Neeme Järvi, Okko Kamu, Hannu Lintu, Andrew Litton, Lorin Maazel, Martha Argerich, Ray Chen, Diana Damrau, Stephen Hough, Janine Jansen, Leonidas Kavakos, Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham and Krystian Zimerman.

The SSO has released more than 50 recordings. A Four Seasons album and a complete Mozart Violin Concerto cycle with Chloe Chua and Hans Graf will be released in the near future.

THE ORCHESTRA

FIRST VIOLIN

(Position vacant) Concertmaster, GK Goh Chair

Kong Zhao Hui¹ Associate Concertmaster Chan Yoong-Han² Fixed Chair

Cao Can* Chen Da Wei

Duan Yu Ling Foo Say Ming Wilford Goh^ Jin Li Kong Xianlong Cindy Lee Lee Shi Mei^ Edward Tan^ Karen Tan William Tan Wei Zhe Ye Lin* Zhang Si Jing*

SECOND VIOLIN

Tseng Chieh-An Principal Michael Loh Associate Principal Sherzod Abdiev^ Nikolai Koval* Sayuri Kuru Hai-Won Kwok Martin Peh^ Chikako Sasaki* Margit Saur Shao Tao Tao

Wu Man Yun*

Xu Jueyi* Ye Tian^ Yeo Teow Meng

Yin Shu Zhan*

Zhao Tian*

VIOLA

Manchin Zhang Principal Guan Qi Associate Principal Gu Bing Jie* Fixed Chair

Joyce Huang Marietta Ku Luo Biao Julia Park Shui Bing Janice Tsai Dandan Wang Yang Shi Li

CELLO

Ng Pei-Sian Principal, The HEAD Foundation Chair Yu Jing Associate Principal Guo Hao Fixed Chair Chan Wei Shing Lin Juan^

James Ng^ Jamshid Saydikarimov Song Woon Teng Wang Yan Wu Dai Dai Zhao Yu Er

DOUBLE BASS

Yang Zheng Yi Associate Principal Karen Yeo Fixed Chair Olga Alexandrova Julian Li^ Jacek Mirucki Guennadi Mouzyka Wang Xu

FLUTE

Jin Ta Principal, Stephen Riady Chair Evgueni Brokmiller Associate Principal Roberto Alvarez Miao Shanshan

PICCOLO

Roberto Alvarez Assistant Principal

OBOE

Rachel Walker Principal Pan Yun Associate Principal Carolyn Hollier Elaine Yeo

COR ANGLAIS

Elaine Yeo Associate Principal

CLARINET

Ma Yue Principal Li Xin Associate Principal Liu Yoko Tang Xiao Ping BASS CLARINET

Tang Xiao Ping Assistant Principal

BASSOON

Liu Chang Associate Principal Choe Youngjin^ Christoph Wichert Zhao Ying Xue

CONTRA BASSOON

Zhao Ying Xue Assistant Principal

HORN

Gao Jian Associate Principal Jamie Hersch Associate Principal Marc-Antoine Robillard Associate Principal Bryan Chong^ Hoang Van Hoc

TRUMPET

Jon Paul Dante Principal

David Smith Associate Principal

Lau Wen Rong

TROMBONE

Allen Meek Principal

Damian Patti Associate Principal

Samuel Armstrong

BASS TROMBONE

Wang Wei Assistant Principal

TUBA

Tomoki Natsume Principal

TIMPANI

Christian Schiøler Principal

PERCUSSION

Jonathan Fox Principal

Mark Suter Associate Principal

Mario Choo

Lim Meng Keh

HARP

Gulnara Mashurova Principal

CHIEF CONDUCTOR

Hans Graf

*With deep appreciation to the Rin Collection for their generous loan of string instruments.

1 Kong Zhao Hui performs on a J.B. Guadagnini of Milan, c. 1750, donated by the National Arts Council, Singapore, with the support of Far East Organization and Lee Foundation.

2 Chan Yoong-Han performs on a David Tecchler, Fecit Roma An. D. 1700, courtesy of Mr G K Goh.

^ Guest musician

Image: LERTKIAT CHONGJIRAJITRA

VENUES

VENUES

YONG SIEW TOH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Officially opened in 2006, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music building houses state-of-the-art facilities for training professional musicians. The building, designed by RSP Architects Planners and Engineers, utilises the brightness of the tropical environment through the use of glass panels which allow natural light into as many spaces as possible. The main facade is fronted by full-length glass panels which offer views into the foyer of the concert hall and library. The glass walls are supported by pared bow trusses, evocative of the strings on a violin or cello.

Address: 3 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117376 Website: www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg

SIVC

FIRST ROUNDS, SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS

1-6, 8-9, 11-12 December 2022

VENUES

VICTORIA CONCERT HALL

First established in 1862, the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Singapore. The heritage building located in the heart of the city’s Civic District contains a 614seat Theatre and a 673-seat Concert Hall. Having played a role in the country’s history for over 150 years, the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall continues to be an exciting mid-sized platform, supporting the growth of Singapore’s arts industry.

Exuding old-world charm, the Victoria Concert Hall is the oldest concert hall in Singapore and has been the Home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 1980.

Address: 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558 Website: www.vtvch.com

SIVC GRAND FINAL

14 December 2022, 19:00

THE RIN COLLECTION Stradivari, Antonio 1718

THE RIN COLLECTION

THE LATE MR. RIN KEI MEI

THE RIN COLLECTION

A LEGACY IN SOUND

It is hard to overstate the profound depth and immense scope of Mr. Rin Kei Mei’s contributions to both the Asian and global classical music sphere. In his foreword to The Rin Collection (2015), Dr. Fitingoff wrote of the late philanthropist: “It is very moving that people of such generosity still exist in our modern times – just for the pure love of music, and expecting nothing.” Certainly, what is most readily apparent among Mr. Rin’s contributions is the eponymous Collection: from the late 1980’s, Mr. and Mrs. Rin began acquiring stringed instruments from the finest makers of Europe (Amati, Bergonzi, Guarnerius, Maggini, Stradivari), with the Collection burgeoning to 1, 101 violins, violas, cellos, and bows over the next 40 years.

Supporting young musicians was Mr. Rin’s lifelong raison d’être. What distinguishes his Collection is that these incredible instruments are shared with young and upcoming students, with these budding musicians encouraged to select and play on these living masterpieces from the 18th and 19th centuries. Students of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music were particular beneficiaries of this generosity. A substantial number of these recipients have advanced to celebrated careers of their own, whether as professional orchestral musicians, ensemble artists, or soloists. It is very rare for musicians to receive instruments of this calibre at such an early stage of their career, and it is precisely through Mr. Rin’s passion and magnanimity that dozens of cohorts of Asian classical musicians have moved through the world, uplifting their communities with these wonderful instruments.

Beyond lending the instruments to budding musicians, Mr. Rin also facilitated their musical education both locally and abroad by providing living spaces and allowances to students in difficulties, and sponsoring students and their supporting parents to overseas competitions. His indefatigable passion for nurturing talent extended to supporting various youth orchestras on regional tours around China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

A less energetic benefactor might call it a day, but Mr. Rin sought to do more for the Asian classical music community. He recognized Singapore as a global arts hub and pushed tirelessly for an international competition and festival in Singapore that would attract the world’s finest violinists to the region. It is with his support and largesse that the first editions of the Singapore Violin Festival and the Singapore International Violin Competition were brought to fruition, laying the groundwork for the triennial events.

Today, instruments from the Rin Collection sing in halls over the world, and the countless musicians supported by Mr. Rin Kei Mei continue to remember his immeasurable care and love for their art. His is a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come, a legacy borne by passion and sound.

“A Legacy in Sound” by JONATHAN SHIN , Violin Images: STEPHANIE TAN

AMATI, HIERONYMUS

“The Pearl” 1686, Cremona Hieronymus II Amati was the son of Nicolò Amati and worked in Cremona. This instrument, characteristic of the maker’s work, was the favourite instrument of King Carlos IV of Spain. The King referred to it as “The Pearl” presumably on account of the pearls in each side of the scroll. A small piece of silver is also inlaid on the button of the back.

“The Pearl” was formerly part of The Henry Hottinger Collection, and was listed in a catalog of the Collection published by Rembert Wurlitzer Inc. in 1966.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

BERGONZI, CARLO

1745, Cremona

Born at Cremona in 1683 and died in 1747, Carlo Bergonzi apprenticed with Hieronymus Amati and Joseph Guarneri, and eventually became Stradivari’s greatest pupil. Together with Stradivari’s sons Francesco and Omobono, they finished the master’s uncompleted works. Upon Omobono’s death in 1742, Carlo Bergonzi inherited all of Antonio Stradivari’s working materials. Carlo’s descendants continued in the craft, with his son MichelAngelo apprenticing with him and succeeding his trade, then subsequently by his grandson Nicolò. The Bergonzi family could thus be regarded as the successors of the craft of Antonio Stradivari.

DA SALÒ, GASPARO

1600, Brescia Gasparo da Salò, the name given to the name given to Gasparo di Bertolotti, was born in 1542 at Salò, a small town in Brescia, Italy, and died in 1609. Gasparo is generally recognized as the inventor of the “modern” violin. He and his favourite pupil, Maggini, are said to have inspired generations of great luthiers.

About eighty of his instruments are known to exist today. This violin from The Rin Collection is dated 1600 and is in a remarkable state of preservation. A monument to commemorate his genius was unveiled at the Salò Church in 1906.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

GUARNERI, ‘DEL GESÙ’ 1730, Cremona

Born in Cremona in 1698, Guarneri ‘del Jesù’ came from a family of violin makers. Alongside Stradivari and Guadagnini, Guarneri is established as one of the greatest violin makers of history. His instruments (unlike Stradivari, Guarneri only exclusively made violins) are extremely resonant and powerful, and their particularly rich lower end makes them a favourite of soloists. This violin has been in various collections, almost from the time it was made. Apparently it went from Germany to New York in the late 1970’s; its owners then, Doctors Michael Gregg and Gary Goldberg, kept it as an investment. They would frequently lend it to amateur violinists for recitals without telling them about its illustrious origins!

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

GUADAGNINI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA 1753, Milan

While older writers assert that there were two different individuals with the name of G.B. Guadagnini, recent writers believe there was only one who moved and worked at different locations within Italy, namely Piacenza (1739-1749), Milan (1749-1758), Cremona (1758), Parma (1759-1770) and Turin (1770-1786).

Guadagnini was known to be of service to the Duke of Parma. He later moved to Turin and was under the patronage of nobleman and collector Count Cozio de Salabue. Count Cozio had bought over Antonio Stradivari’s violins and workshop relics, which could have probably been so great a source of inspiration to Guadagnini that he described himself as “alumnus Antoni Stradivari” on his late Turin labels.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

GUADAGNINI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA 1753, Turin

This particular violin is exceptionally well preserved—like its companion piece made in the same year, it shows some influence by Antonio Stradavari. The instruments that he crafted here are among the most sought after. They feature a distinctive combination of artistic expression with acoustic performance; the oval shape of his sound-holes became a feature of his work. This violin was possessed by a European family of violin players and found its way to America in the late 1970’s.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

TECCHLER, DAVID

1740, “Ex-Bridgetower”, Rome

This violin was owned and played by violin prodigy, George Polgreen Bridgetower, the son of an African prince and his European wife.

Travelling and performing, Bridgetower received numerous accolades for his artistry and at 23, met Beethoven, who intended to dedicate his Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 to him. On May 24, 1803, the sonata was first performed in Vienna by Bridgetower, accompanied by Beethoven on the piano. They had a close personal and professional relationship for a time, but had a falling out before the sonata’s publication. Beethoven then dedicated it to violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer, who did not reciprocate this gesture and never played the “Kreutzer Sonata”.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

STRADIVARI, ANTONIO

1688, Cremona Antonio Stradivari was born at Bergamo, Italy in 1644 and died in 1737. It is believed that in his early youth, he apprenticed under Nicolò Amati, then the most eminent maker in Italy. He developed his style slowly, and by 1680, had garnered a small but growing reputation. A Venetian banker ordered a complete set of instruments in 1682 that was meant as a gift to King James II of England. In 1684 when Amati died, Stradivari’s production increased significantly. Cosimo III de Medici, a member of the Medici political dynasty who were the de facto rulers of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance, also ordered a set of instruments from Stradivari in 1690.

STRADIVARI, ANTONIO 1706 “Ex-Liszt”, Cremona 6

This violin, produced in Stradivari’s “Golden Period” (1700 – circa 1720), allegedly belonged to Franz Liszt who gave it as a gift, during his stay in Rome, to the Marchese Scipione Tadolini, a sculptor in Via del Babuino. It was then bought by violinist Remy Principe, a member of the Quartetto Italiano and I Virtuosi di Roma. Leandro Bisiach, a master lute-maker, subsequently acquired the instrument in 1928, and two years later on March 28, 1930, showed it to Alfred Hill of London, who commented that the instrument was built on the Amatese model.

STRADIVARI, ANTONIO

1718 “Ex-Count Vieri”, Cremona

This Stradivari violin, dated 1718, was formerly from the collection of Count Vieri Ganucci Cancellieri. It is noted for its splendid form, superb sound quality, first-class material and beautiful varnish. The Count was born in Pistoia in the second half of the 19th century and died in Florence in 1947. During the 1930’s, the violin was chosen by a commission of experts, headed by the famous violin maker, Leandro Bisiach and was exhibited as the principal instrument of an antique stringed instruments exhibition by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The violin’s sound was acclaimed by noted concert musicians such as Jan Kubelik, Jascha Heifetz, and Aldo Ferraresi, as well as many violin makers of renown who have expressed their admiration for it. This Count Vieri violin comes with the original wooden case that features the Count’s family crest.

MONTAGNANA, DOMENICO 1729, Venice

Domenico Montagnana was born in Lendinara, Italy in 1686 and started making stringed instruments in Venice from 1701. According to George Hart, Montagnana was a student of the Cremonese master Antonio Stradivari. At around 1711, Montagnana set up his own shop at Calle degli Stagneri in Venice, the most flourishing centre of violinmaking of the time.

Like Carlo Bergonzi, once on his own Montagnana started to exercise his creativity. His instruments are unique in form and size, and are characterized with unfinished purfling yet elaborately carved scrolls. Charles Reade, the celebrated English novelist, connoisseur and collector called Montagnana “the mighty Venetian”.

FEATURED VIOLINS FROM THE RIN COLLECTION

THE RIN COLLECTION

THE LATE MR RIN KEI MEI & MRS RIN KEI MEI

Programming

and

Tang I Shyan Poo Lai Fong Howard Ng Alison Wong Mike Tan Wah Peng Ong Shu Chen Kenny Ooi

Kolmez Studio Jason Kyan Stephanie Tan Tan Wei Boon

Luo Wei Cao Can Medici.tv

Dancing Legs Productions MSM-Productions

Image: VICTOR YJ

Chloe Chua

Artist-In-Residence/violin

CHLOE CHUA PLAYS MOZART 4

12 & 13 Jan 2023

7.30pm, Victoria Concert Hall

Hans Graf Music Director

BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO AND MAHLER 5

2 & 3 Mar 2023

7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall

Lawrence Renes conductor

CHLOE CHUA PLAYS MOZART 3

31 Mar & 1 Apr 2023

7.30pm, Victoria Concert Hall

Hans Graf Music Director

Upcoming Concerts

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our sincere thanks goes to our friends for supporting and promoting the competition.

Mr. Alexander Souptel Violinist

Ms. Chan Chee Mee Head of Strings, Forte Music Academy

Mr. Chng Hak-Peng CEO, Singapore Symphonia Company Ltd

Mr. David Takeno Eugène Ysaÿe International Chair of Violin, Guildhall School

Mr. Deng Jingshan Chairman, Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra

Mr. Didier Schnorhk Secretary General, Geneva International Music Competition

Ms. Dorothy Chan Executive Director, Far East Organization

Ms Emma Cherian Advisor, Endowus

Mr. Foo Say Ming Head of Strings, NAFA Academy of Fine Arts

Mr. Goh Yew Lin Chairman, Singapore Symphonia Company Ltd

Gramercy Music

Dr. Harald Link Chairman, Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Hong Leong Foundation

Mr. Jasper Parrott Executive Chairman, HarrisonParrott

Mr. Khushroo Suntook Chairman, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai

Mr. Klaus Heymann Chairman & Founder, Naxos

Ms. Kris Tan Founder, Kris Foundation

Lee Foundation

Mr. Luo Wei Vice President and Music Director, Kids’ Philharmonic@sg

Ms. Masako White Virtuosi Music Centre

Mr. Masami Shigeta Chairman & CEO, Aspen Incorporated

Mr. Mervin Beng Chairman, Resound Collective Ltd

Ms. Min Lee Founder and Program Director, Wolfgang Violin Studio

Mr. Nie Bing President, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Renaud Capuçon Concert Artist

Mr. & Mrs. Rin Kei Mei The Rin Collection

Ms. Rosa Daniel CEO, National Arts Council

Mr. Sheng Wenqiang Vice-President, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra

Synwin Music

Mr. Tong Mingxi Luthier & Managing Director, Tong Mingxi Gallery

Mr. Tsung Yeh Music Director, Singapore Chinese Orchestra

Ms. Vivien Goh Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund

Mr. Vladimir Verbitsky Music Director, Voronezh Philharmonic

Mr. Wray Armstrong Founder and Chairman, Armstrong International Music and Arts

Ms. Yap Shu Mei Founder & Director, Mandeville Conservatory of Music

Mr. Yu Long Music Director, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra

Ms. Yvonne Tham CEO, The Esplanade Co Ltd

SUPPORTED BY 100

ORGANISED AND HOSTED BY

PARTNERS

OFFICIAL BROADCASTER

MEDIA PARTNERS

AWARD AND PERFORMANCE PARTNERS

Organised And Hosted By

YONG SIEW TOH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE