The finals of the 12th Joseph Joachim Violin Competition took place on Saturday, September 28, at the NDR Konzerthaus (Großer Sendesaal) in Hanover. Three talented finalists performed both a concerto and the competition’s commissioned piece, Feder by Enno Poppe, accompanied by the NDR Radiophilharmonie and conductor Stephan Zilias.
In a rare outcome, the competition awarded joint first prize to Angela Chan (27, Hong Kong) and Jacques Forestier (19, Canada). The two violinists will split the top cash award of €30,000, each receiving €15,000.
Also performing in the final round was Kyumin Park (27, South Korea). All three finalists—Chan, Forestier, and Park—were awarded €10,000 for reaching this stage of the competition and earned the prestigious title of ‘Laureates of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition.’
Several special prizes were also distributed during the event. Jacques Forestier secured a debut album recording deal with Warner Classics, providing global promotion and distribution. Additionally, he received a three-year loan of a 1765 Guadagnini violin, made possible by the Fritz Behrens Stiftung, and won the audience prize, which came with an extra €2,000.
Angela Chan took home €5,000 for the best interpretation of Enno Poppe’s commissioned work Feder. Kyumin Park received sheet music vouchers and a monetary award worth €2,000 from G. Henle Verlag.
Among the semi-finalists, Louisa Staples (24, UK) was awarded the chamber music prize of €3,000, granted by the Kuss Quartet. She also earned a scholarship from karsten witt music-management GmbH, giving her the opportunity to attend a music management course at the kwmm Academy. Two participants were also offered the chance to participate in a masterclass at Kronberg Academy.
The competition partnered with 29 concert venues, offering future concert engagements and performance opportunities to the contestants, enhancing their budding careers.
Lavinia Francke, general secretary of the organising Stiftung Niedersachsen, expressed her delight with the outcome: “We are thrilled to honour two young talents with the main prize, combining both technical excellence and captivating charisma. My heartfelt congratulations to Angela Chan and Jacques Forestier.”
She also extended gratitude to all involved in the competition: “I want to thank all 21 participants, our partners, the jury, artistic directors Antje Weithaas and Oliver Wille, and everyone who contributed to the event for their dedication and trust.”
The jury, chaired by Juliane Banse, included esteemed musicians such as Lorenza Borrani, Liza Ferschtman, Kim Kashkashian, András Keller, Gidon Kremer, Alexander Lonquich, Feng Ning, Kathrin Rabus, and Stephan Zilias.
Artistic director Antje Weithaas commented on the nature of the competition: “Competitions are merely snapshots in time, but over these two weeks, we have encountered young musicians with tremendous potential. We eagerly anticipate following their careers from here.”
Organised by Stiftung Niedersachsen every three years since 1991, the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition continues to be a major event in the classical music world. The previous edition, held in 2021, was won by Maria Ioudenitch.
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