60 participants took part in the 12th International Balys Dvarionas Competition for Young Pianists and Violinists. After the first rounds of the competition at the Music Academy of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, participants from the oldest group performed in the final round at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic in Vilnius.
The international jury was also pleasantly surprised by the youngest group participants. This competition was especially successful for the participants from Australia, who performed impressively in the youngest pianist’s group and received all the prizes.
A GROUP / PIANO
1st PRIZE – Andrew Yin, Australia
1st PRIZE – Zoe Cheng, Australia
2nd PRIZE – Isabella Guo, Australia
2nd PRIZE – Bennett So, Australia
3rd PRIZE – Felix Suo, Australia
GROUP B / PIANO
1st PRIZE – Xinrong Qiao, China
2nd PRIZE – Pijus Pirogovas, Great Britain – Lithuania
GROUP A / VIOLIN
2nd PRIZE – Emanuelė Jakštaitė, Lithuania
GROUP B / VIOLIN
1st PRIZE – Panxi Ma, China
2nd PRIZE – Dovydas Čiplys, Lithuania
2nd PRIZE – Anna Katarina Tralla, Estonia
The format of the finals for the oldest age category was different – pianists and violinists competed together and were assessed by a joint international jury of 14 professionals. ‘This is great, because it is not all about who can play one passage better or another,” said violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky, a member of the international jury. “You choose the most interesting talent, the most unique, and the one who shows the most potential, regardless of the instrument they play.”
The young talents demonstrated their virtuosity over two evenings at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. Saturday evening was crowned with a Gala Awards Ceremony. The jury decided to award first prize in the violin category to Lithuanian Rokas Diržys. The second prize went to Alma Vivienne Keilhack from Germany and the Diploma was received by Karoliina Kuppart from Estonia. In the piano category, the first prize winner was Toby Olias Brechler from Germany, the second – Arthur Coatalen from France, and the Diploma was received by Milda Marija Kiškūnaitė from Lithuania. All finalists also received many concert and special prizes.
“It’s great to see such talent, great to award it, and great to see them perform on the big stage! I hope that for all those who have come and participated in the Balys Dvarionas Competition, it has already become that path to success,” said Professor Jurgis Dvarionas as he congratulated the finalists.
Winner of the EMCY Prize at the 12th International Balys Dvarionas Competition for Young Pianists and Violinists: Rokas Diržys / Lithuania
Complete list of winners and their prizes
Access to archived broadcasts: Final – Day 1
Access to archived broadcasts: Final – Day 2
