Prague (14 September 2025) – In the thrilling finale of the 59th Dvořák Radio International Competition for Young Musicians – Concertino Praga, held on 12 and 13
September, two young musicians from South Korea emerged as the winners: oboist Raeun Hong and violinist Yeonah Kim, who, at only eleven years old, became the youngest laureate in the competition’s history. Raeun Hong impressed with her performance of Julius Rietz’s Concert Piece for Oboe and Orchestra, while Yeonah Kim dazzled the audience with her interpretation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.
From 59 entries submitted from three continents, eight finalists advanced to the final round — four in the wind instruments category and four in the keyboard and string instruments category. Their performances were judged by an international jury comprising Martin Angerer (trumpet), Jana Brožková (oboe), Ian Fountain (piano), Andrea Götsch (clarinet), Ladislav Horák (accordion), Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt (cello), Milan Šetena and Dmitry Sitkovetsky (violins), Henrik Wiese (flute), and Octavia Galescu, a representative of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The concert of the wind instruments category took place on 12 September in the Bethlehem Chapel, where the finalists were accompanied by the Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its chief conductor Vahan Mardirossian. Competing for the favor of the jury and audience were Italian flautist Chantal Ramona Veit, Spanish saxophonist Víctor Amadeu Puigbò Rincón, South Korean oboist Raeun Hong, and Czech clarinetist Otakar Antonín Štefan.
“With wind instruments, the personality of the soloist comes through more distinctly – you can sense their individuality through their breathing and phrasing. That ultimately decided the winner, although every performance in the Bethlehem Chapel was of an exceptionally high level,” said jury chairman Dmitry Sitkovetsky after Friday’s finale.
A day later, the competition moved to the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum, where the keyboard and string finalists performed: Latvian pianist Matvejs Fokins, South Korean violinist Yeonah Kim, Bulgarian cellist Darin Lambrev, and Czech accordionist Viktor Stocker. Their performances were accompanied by the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tomáš Brauner. Both evenings traditionally opened with the Czech Radio Children’s Choir led by Věra Hrdinková, performing Andělské přátelství (Angel Friendship) by Adam Michna of Otradovice, the traditional Concertino Praga anthem.
“Flawless technique is a given at this level of competition. What deeply moved me was the finalists’ desire and ability to communicate something meaningful through their music.
Tonight was a true celebration of music in its purest form,” said jury member Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, cellist. The final concerts were broadcast live by Czech Radio Vltava, which will also air the Laureates’ Concert at the South Bohemian Concertino Praga Festival in Písek. Other festival performances will be broadcast later as recordings.
Results
Wind Instruments Category
1st Prize: Raeun Hong (2009) – oboe (South Korea)
2nd Prize: Víctor Amadeu Puigbò Rincón (2007) – saxophone (Spain)
3rd Prize: Chantal Ramona Veit (2008) – flute (Italy)
Honorable Mention, 1st Degree: Otakar Antonín Štefan (2008) – clarinet (Czech Republic)
Honorable Mention, 2nd Degree: Levente Bubreg (2008) – bassoon (Austria)
Audience Award: Otakar Antonín Štefan
Keyboard and String Instruments Category
1st Prize: Yeonah Kim (2014) – violin (South Korea)
2nd Prize: Viktor Stocker (2009) – accordion (Czech Republic)
3rd Prize: Darin Lambrev (2010) – cello (Bulgaria)
Honorable Mention, 1st Degree: Matvejs Fokins (2010) – piano (Latvia)
Honorable Mention, 2nd Degree: Naďa Strnadová (2009) – cello (Czech Republic)
Audience Award: Viktor Stocker
Special Prizes
EMCY Prize: Viktor Stocker
Karel Komárek Family Foundation Prize for the Best Czech Participant: Viktor Stocker
Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Prize: Chantal Ramona Veit
Viktor Kalabis and Zuzana Růžičková Foundation Prize: Matvejs Fokins
Magdalena Kožená Foundation Prize: Viktor Stocker
Scholarships and Awards
The winners of both categories received a €5,000 scholarship from the Karel Komárek Family Foundation and the Czech Radio Prize, which includes the recording of a professional CD at Czech Radio studios. Other finalists were awarded scholarships of €2,800 (Karel Komárek Family Foundation), €1,700 (Bulb Company), and €700 (Bärenreiter Publishing and the Život umělce Foundation).
Festival in South Bohemia
The South Bohemian Concertino Praga Festival will take place from 15 to 19 September in Písek, Bechyně, Tábor, and Jindřichův Hradec. The program also includes an educational concert for local schoolchildren as part of the Czech Radio project Vlnohraní.
