Three violists from South Korea, Japan and the US took the top prizes, comprising cash, a fine viola bow, plus cases and accessories
The 6th edition of the Oskar Nedbal International Viola Competition was held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 3 to 6 October.
15 international violists were invited to perform in the second stage of the competition, following the video submission round earlier this year. The violists performed a sonata for viola and piano of their choice, plus Oskar Nedbal’s Romantic piece, op.18, as the compulsory work.
For the third round, the jury selected four violists: Momoko Aritomi (Japan), Brian Isaacs (US), Seoyeon Ryu (South Korea) and Ayaka Taniguchi (Japan). The contestants performed Hoffmeister’s Viola Concerto with the accompaniment of the Barocco sempre giovane.
Following the third and final round, the jury awarded first prize to Seoyeon Ryu, who received CZK40,000 (£1,300) and a fine viola bow by Luboš Odlas. Ryu also received the Audience Award.
Second prize of CZK30,000 went to Momoko Aritomi (£1,000), while Brian Isaacs received third prize of CZK20,000 (£660). Isaacs also won the prize for the best interpretation of a work by Martinů, worth CZK15,000 (£500).
The top three laureates additionally received a viola case by GEWA, as well as strings and accessories from Pirastro. The laureates will also receive paid concert opportunities.
Finalist Ayaka Taniguchi was named competition laureate, while an honorary mention was given to semi-finalist Karolina Pawul from Poland.
German violist Jasper Sitte received the prize for the best interpretation of the work by Oskar Nedbal, worth CZK10,000 (£330), while Turkish violist Arcan İsenkul received the Pirastro prize for outstanding young talent.
Czech viola soloist Kristina Fialová served as the competition’s director and founder. Along with Fialová, the jury comprised Tim Frederiksen (Denmark), Lena Eckels (Germany), Jan Pěruška (Czech Republic), and Lars Anders Tomter (Norway).
All photos courtesy Jana Česáková Hyklová
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