Elli Choi and Ruifeng Lin have been selected as the final two contestants for the Classic Violin Olympus Grand Finale, completing the group of 12 exceptional violinists who will compete for the prestigious title in Dubai in April 2025. This marks the culmination of a global journey that began in March 2024, with six renowned preselection rounds held in major music capitals such as Tokyo, Vienna, New York, London, Rome, and Dubai.
“It has been an incredible few months,” said Konstantin Ishkhanov, President of Classic Violin Olympus. “The performances we’ve had the privilege to witness have been truly remarkable, and I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our outstanding finalists from Armenia, China, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, the USA, and South Korea for reaching this stage!”
Each preselection round featured 20 talented violinists from around the world, all competing for a share of the €35,000 prize fund and one of two coveted spots in the Grand Finale. The final preselection event, held from November 1st to 5th at Dubai’s Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, saw fierce competition, with candidates showcasing their artistry under the watchful eye of an esteemed jury. The panel, led by Jury Chairman Pavel Vernikov (Switzerland), also included distinguished violinists Eszter Haffner (Austria), Massimo Quarta (Italy), Itzhak Rashkovsky (UK), and Yamei Yu (China/Germany).
“Konstantin Ishkhanov and Pavel Vernikov’s initiative to establish the Classic Violin Olympus International Competition is a refreshing addition to the violin competition scene,” remarked juror Eszter Haffner. “This competition is a brilliant idea. It not only provides opportunities for violinists of all ages but also introduces new perspectives, emphasizing exceptional artistry and a broad geographical scope.”
Over five days of intense competition, participants performed a varied program that included one of Paganini’s 24 Caprices, the first movement of a Mozart concerto, and a violin sonata by Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor. The 10 finalists advancing to the second round presented additional repertoire, demonstrating their unique artistic voices in 30-40 minute solo or piano-accompanied performances.
Elli Choi claimed the First Prize, earning €20,000, while Ruifeng Lin secured the Second Prize with €10,000. Issei Kurihara took home €5,000 for Third Prize. Both Choi and Lin are now qualified to join the Grand Finale in Dubai, where all their expenses will be covered. They will compete against other winners from previous rounds.
With the preselection phase now complete, Classic Violin Olympus is preparing for its groundbreaking Grand Finale. The final event in April 2025 will challenge each of the 12 finalists through a unique six-phase program, including solo and ensemble performances, orchestral works, and an interactive Q&A with an esteemed panel of 25 jurors. The ultimate winner will take home the top prize and a share of the €310,000 prize fund.
“I am extremely satisfied with the progress so far,” said Pavel Vernikov, Artistic Director of Classic Violin Olympus. “From the organization to the quality of the participants, everything has exceeded our expectations. The goals that Konstantin Ishkhanov and I set for this event have been fully achieved—actually, even more than that. It has been wonderful to partner with him for such a major event, and judging by the feedback, I can confidently say we’ve already made a significant impact on the world of classical music competitions. Our approach has moved beyond the traditional format, and I’m eager to see these talented finalists perform in April.”
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