The twenty-third edition of the International Competition of Young Musicians “Ohrid Pearls” 2024 has concluded. At the solemn concert held on June 19 in the Cathedral Church of St. Sofia, finalists in the violin, piano, and chamber music disciplines performed in all age categories represented at this year’s competition. “Ohrid Pearls” is a well-known and established competition in the country, the wider region, and throughout Europe, renowned for its high quality of organization and especially for its talented and well-prepared young participants.
This year, the large audience in the Church of St. Sofia enjoyed eleven virtuoso performances at the Final Concert. The professional international jury faced a difficult task in selecting the most successful among them. The “Grand Prix” award, which includes a monetary prize of 2000 euros and valuable Ohrid pearl jewelry, was won by the ten-year-old pianist Zeven Liu from China. The award was presented by the president of the competition, Gjorge Ulishev. Second place in the general ranking and a monetary prize of 1500 euros and EMCY prize were awarded to the young Greek pianist Chrysanthos Therianos. The third prize, with a monetary reward of 500 euros each, was shared by violinists Aleksandra Đokić and Lazar Mutavdžić from Serbia. The young pianist Ivan Stojanov and the piano trio of Lina Nikoleska, Antica Nikoloska, and Ana Kuzmanoska were recognized as the most successful representatives from Macedonia at this competition.
Professor Ljubisa Kirovski from FMU in Skopje, who is also the President of the “Golden Lyre” Festival, awarded these young artists a special prize: a recital at this prestigious festival organized by the Association of Musical Artists of Macedonia.
The award from the Union of Composers of Macedonia, amounting to 100 euros, was presented by composer Boris Svetiev to young pianist Stefan Onchev from Strumica for his performance of “Prelude-Etude” by Gotse Kolarovski. The special prize from the “Zografski” Foundation for the best performance of a work by composer Tomislav Zografski, traditionally awarded by the composer’s wife, Mrs. Panda Zografska, was won by Iranian pianist Radman Alavirad for his performance of the “Piano Suite.”
More information about the competition you can find here: https://ohridskibiseri.org.mk/
