Violinist Stefan Aprodu, violist Hiroki Kasai, and the Duo Droom-Kunst receive the top prizes
The 30th International Johannes Brahms Competition took place between 1 and 8 September in Pörtschach and Velden am Wörthersee, Austria, with categories for violin, viola, piano and chamber music. It was open to musicians of all nationalities over the age of 14.
In the violin category, the first prize was awarded to Romanian violinist Stefan Aprodu, who received €3,000 and a concert engagement to perform the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Savaria Symphony Orchestra in February 2025, as well as the €750 audience prize. The second prize of €1,500 went to Japanese violinist Ryota Higashi, and the third prize of €750 to Austrian violinist Eduard Steude.
In the viola category, the first prize of €3,000 was won by Japanese violist Hiroki Kasai, the second prize of €1,500 by Chinese violist Zeyang Kan, and the third prize of €750 by Japanese violist Otoha Tabata.
In the chamber music category, the first prize of €4,000 went to Duo Droom-Kunst from Japan, the second prize of €2,000 to Duo Suono from Japan, and the third prize of €1,000 to Accio Piano Trio from Austria.
Special prizes were also awarded to Italian violinist Elisa Scudeller, Chinese violist Ballin Jian, German violist Conrad Jacobshagen and Chinese violist Junyan Du.
In the final rounds of the violin and viola divisions, which took place on 6 September at the Congress Centre in Pörtschach, the finalists were accompanied by the Euro Symphony SFK, conducted by Ernest Hoetzl. The chamber music final round occurred at the same venue the following day, and the competition concluded on 8 September with a gala concert at the Casino of Velden am Wörthersee.
Read: George Enescu International Competition announces cello finalists
Read: Violinist Boris Brovtsyn wins London Classic Violin Competition
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