The VII International Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists recently came to a close in Lithuania, where the finalists performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and its principal conductor Modestas Pitrėnas.
First place with €12,000 went to Yuki Hirano, who also received the €500 Special Prize for the best performance of a Heifetz transcription, as well as the €250 Orchestra Sympathy Prize.
Hirano was also awarded seven concert prizes, which will involve recital engagements in the 2025/26 season sponsored by Paliesius Manor, Filarmonica de Stat Transilvania, Kaunas State Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Poznań Philharmonic, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, and Klaipėda Concert Hall.
Second prize with €8,000 went to Chinese violinist Jinzhu Li, who also won the Young Artist Prize. The €3,000 third prize was jointly awarded to Chaeyeon Lee from South Korea and Shaoheng Zhong from China.
