Run by the Central Academy of Arts, the contest received 61 separate instrument and bow entries this year, while makers hailed from nine different countries

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The Malta International Violin Making Competition, which took place in February 2017, has named its category winners.

Run by the Central Academy of Arts, the contest received 61 separate instrument and bow entries this year, while makers hailed from nine different countries. Representatives of China headed the field with 23 makers, followed by Italy, Japan, South Korea, UK, US, Sweden/France, Czech Republic and Cyprus.

In the Violin category, the gold medal went to Yu Huidong of China. Silver was shared by Paolo Trazzi of Italy and Chen Xiang Wei of China; while bronze medals went again to Paolo Trazzi and Chen Xiang Wei, in addition to Guo Mingkui of China, Seung Jin Lee of South Korea, Gino Sfarra of Italy, Bruno Fulcini of Italy and Yang Jinlong of China.

In the Viola category, the gold medal was awarded to Marco Osio of Italy. Silver was shared between Han Zhaosheng of China and Seung Jin Lee, while bronze went to Zhao Yi of China and Wang Yanli of China.

Additional prizes were awarded for the 'Best Sounding Viola', which went to Stefano Gibertoni from the UK/Italy and for the 'Best Playability: Viola', which went to Ito Ryosuke of Japan. Paolo Trazzi won the award for 'Instrument made with Classic Italian Personality and Style', while Orest Nakonechny from the US won the Malta Prize.

The jury this year included makers Zheng Quan, Christophe Landon and Simeone Morassi, who judged instruments on size compliance; choice of material; quality of craftsmanship and finishing; tone and playability; and balance and performance .

The 2018 contest is due to take place from 9-14 February and is open to professional and amateur makers of violins, violas and cellos, as well as violin, viola, cello and bass bows. The deadline for entries is 15 December 2017.

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