Australian violinist Christian Li has become the youngest ever winner of the Menuhin Competition junior division. The 10-year-old claimed joint first prize alongside Chloe Chua, aged 11, from Singapore.
Li and Chua both receive CHF10,000 (€8,400) and a one-year loan of an Italian-made violin. Third prize went to Ruibing Liu (aged 13) from China, who received CHF5,000.
As for the senior event, first prize went to 18-year-old Diana Adamyan. The Armenian, who performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor during the closing gala concert, takes home CHF15,000. Second prize went to Frenchman Nathan Mierdl (aged 20) who collects CHF10,000, while third-placed Hyunjae Lim (aged 20, South Korea) receives CHF7,000.
Both finals were broadcast live on ARTE, with viewers voting for the ARTE concert online prizes, which went to Nathan Mierdl (senior) and Guide Sant’Anna (junior).
The next edition of the Menuhin Competition will take place in Richmond, US, in 2020. It is only the second time an American city has hosted the competition.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the International Menuhin Competition and honoured to join the company of such distinguished international destinations like Geneva in welcoming the most talented young musicians in the world to our city,” said Richmond mayor Levar Stoney.
He continued: “Richmond is a thriving and diverse city that is home to a number of internationally recognised artistic, educational and cultural attractions, like the Richmond Symphony. Our vibrant and dedicated arts community looks forward to welcoming these artists and their families in 2020, and sharing their talent and our love of music with the world.”