COMPETITIONS

Hina Khuong-Huu

Brandon Leonard

Njioma Chinyere Grevious

KHUONG-HUU PHOTO AMY PASQUANTONIO. LEONARD AND GREVIOUS PHOTOS COURTESY SPHINX ORGANIZATION

1 French–Japanese–US violinist Hina Khuong-Huu won first prize at the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition in Boca Raton, FL, US. The 18-year-old, who studies with Li Lin and Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School, received $30,000, a new violin and bow, and several concert engagements. Second prize, $15,000 and a new bow were awarded to Canadian– American violinist Gabrielle Després, 22, while third prize and $10,000 went to US violinist Laurel Gagnon, 28. See next issue for a full report.

2 US cellist Brandon Leonard, 17, and US violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, 23, won the Sphinx Competition’s junior and senior divisions respectively. Leonard received $10,000, while Grevious won the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and $5,000 Audience Choice Prize. Both receive concert engagements. In the junior division, violinist Gabriela Salvador Riera, 16, won the $5,000 second prize and cellist Vincent Garcia-Hettinger, 17, the $3,000 third prize. In the senior division, violinist Alejandra Switala, 30, won the $20,000 second prize and violist Dillon Scott, 19, the $10,000 third prize.

3 German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is the first non-pianist to receive the Ruhr Piano Festival prize. It will be awarded to her in June 2023. The prize recognises her close partnership with the festival spanning almost two decades. The prize allows Mutter to award a scholarship to a young pianist of her choice, who will give their debut recital the following year.

4 French–Austrian double bassist Marc-André Tereul, 20, has won the inaugural International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) Classeek Award. Tereul will receive the trophy in Wrocław, Poland on 21 April. The prize is given to young classical musicians and comprises career support and sponsorship.

FORTHCOMING COMPETITIONS & AWARDS

Tibor Varga International Violin Competition in Sion, Switzerland, for violinists aged under 26. First prize CHF20,000 Deadline 17 April; competition 25 August– 2 September Web bit.ly/3hY2ksX

Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in Trondheim, Norway, for piano trios aged 16– 35. First prize €15,000 Deadline 20 April; competition 26–30 September Web bit.ly/3L6o2nx

Geneva International Music Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, for string quartets aged 35 and under. First prize CHF20,000 Deadline 20 April; competition 23–29 October Web www.concoursgeneve.ch

APPOINTMENTS

• British violinist Freya Goldmark has been named first violinist of the UK-based Ligeti Quartet

• Australian cellist Pei-Jee Ng has been appointed the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s new principal cello

• Ukrainian–American violist Matthew Cohen has joined the Formosa Quartet for its 20th season

• The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra has named Swiss violinist David Nebel as its new concertmaster

• For current vacancies, see our online jobs page at www.thestrad.com/jobs