The final of Polstjärnepriset (Polar Star Price) 2021, previously planned to the date of 5 January, took place on the 29th of May due the Covid-19 pandemic. The finalists performed in Gothenburg Concert Hall but were video-streamed to both jury and audience.
The pianist Vilhelm Moqvist, 17 years old from Götene in Sweden, was named the 2021 first prize winner.
The jury´s motivation was: ”A real virtuoso who finds the groove! The winner combines total mastery of technique and timbre with an impressive sense of style”. Vilhelm started playing the piano when he was eight years old. – ‘I want to be a concert pianist’, he says.
In addition to the honor of winning Sweden’s most prestigious competition for young classical musicians, the winner gets a cash prize of SEK 50,000.
The jury had the difficult task of ranking the contestants, but after careful consideration, the verdict was presented by the jury’s chairman Rumon Gamba.
– This year´s four finalists show with all the desired clarity that these young Swedish classical musicians maintain a very high international standard, states Rumon Gamba.
Ever since the start in 2007, Polstjärnepriset has made the dream come true for many young people; they learn new things from world-leading musicians and professors, they get to play together in new constellations and make many new friends in music.
The other prizes went to:
Second prize: Nicole Biegniewska, violin
Third prize: Harald Edin, double bass
Fourth prize: Jael Caselunghe, harp.
The Clarinetist Tekla Nilsson, the 2020 winner was also performing at the final concert.
Sourse: Polstjärnepriset – Vänersborgs kommun (vanersborg.se)
