China International Music Competition (CIMC) has announced the winner of their first competition as Canadian pianist, Tony Siqi Yun.
Created by the China Conservatory of Music and Global Music Education League, the final took place in the concert hall of Beijing’s National Centre for Performing Arts with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. 18-year-old Yun received a cash prize of USD150,000 (€134,000), a gold medal, and representation with independent artist management firm Opus 3 Artists and Armstrong Music and Arts, who will oversee three years of international concert tours.
Jury chair, Yoheved Kaplinsky announced Yun the winner after he performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Yoheved Kaplinsky, chairman of the jury and artistic director of the China International Music Competition said, “Tony exhibited professionalism, musicianship, poise and an incredible ability to integrate himself with the orchestra. He was the most sensitive in his interaction with the orchestra and conductor. It was incredibly close between all three as all of them were consistent to the end.”
Second prize of USD75,000 (€67,000) and a silver medal was awarded to 17-year-old Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev, while third prize of USD30,000 (€26,800) and a crystal award went to American pianist MacKenzie Melemed, aged 24.
Yun made his orchestral debut in 2014 with the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing and has performed internationally including at the Heidelberger Frühling Music Festival and Severance Hall with Cleveland Orchestra.
CIMC will be held every year and next year’s competition will be dedicated to violin.