Results and Highlights of the Fifth Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition
The Fifth Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition recently concluded in Budapest, Hungary, with young violinists showcasing their incredible talents on stage. The competition, organized by the Festival Academy Budapest, was open to violinists under the age of 22 from around the world.
In the first category, for violinists under 15, Romanian violinist Constantin Stefan Cristian took home the first prize of €2,000. Japanese violinist Hana Hoshino and Swiss violinist Kimia Corke received the second and third prizes, respectively.
In the second category, for violinists aged 15-22, Austrian violinist Leonhard Baumgartner emerged as the winner of the €2,000 first prize. Ukrainian violinist Maksym Synytsky and Taiwanese violinist Tao-Yuan Hsiao claimed the second and third prizes, respectively.
All finalists had the opportunity to perform concertos with the Anima Musicae Chamber Orchestra, showcasing their musical prowess without a conductor. Additionally, the competition paid tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust by commissioning contemporary works, with special prizes awarded for the best performances of each piece.
The competition, founded in 2017 by Hungarian violinists Katalin Kokas and Barnabás Kelemen, was named after the renowned Hungarian violinist Ilona Fehér. The jury for this year’s competition included esteemed violinists and musicians such as Shlomo Mintz, who served as the president of the jury.
Overall, the event celebrated the talents and dedication of young violinists from across the globe, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills and passion for music.