South Korean violist Kyungsik Shin took the top prize following the final round on 24 October 2024
Isaacs photo: Peter Adamik; Kosaka photo: C. Takahashi; Shin photo: Grace Sohn
The Max Rostal International Competition held its final round for the viola discipline on 24 October 2024 at the Berlin University of the Arts. Three violists performed a viola concerto with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, conducted by Pavel Baleff.
Following the performances, the jury awarded first prize to South Korean violist Kyungsik Shin, who played Bartók Viola Concerto. His prize includes €7,000, plus five sets of strings from Pirastro.
Shin is a former winner of the 28th International Johannes Brahms Competition and International Anton Rubinstein Competition, as well as second prize winner of Prague Spring Competition and the Oskar Nedbal Competition. He studied at Korea National University of Arts and the Seoul National University, studying with Eun-sik Choi, and is pursuing postgraduate studies at University of Arts Berlin with professor Hartmut Rohde.
US violist Brian Isaacs was awarded second prize of €3,000 and three sets of Pirastro strings. Isaacs also received the special prizes for the best interpretation of the competition’s commissioned work, and of the Freunde Junger Musiker Berlin e.V., worth €500 each, plus the audience prize of €1,000.
Japanese violist Marina Kosaka won third prize of €1,500, plus a set of Pirastro strings.
The jury comprised Marianne Piketty, Kyung Sun Lee, Christoph Poppen, Lars Anders Tomter, Nils Mönkemeyer, Carol Rodland, and was chaired by David Geringas.
The violin category of the competition will be held on 25 October 2024.
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