Record for the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists 2012!

28.11.2011

The Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists will be held from 6th to 15th April 2012 in Beijing, China. For the first time in the competition's entire 28-year history the competition received a record number of entries - more than 230 applications for only 42 available places!

The applicants all aged under 22, come from 28 countries all over the world. One of them is the competition's youngest ever entrant, an eight-year-old boy from California (USA), who started playing the violin at just two-and-a-half years of age.

The Menuhin Competition Artistic Director, Gordon Back expresses his enthusiasm saying: "We are thrilled that the competition is being held in Asia for the first time. The quality of entries has been truly stunning, with many applicants studying with world-renowned teachers at the world's leading conservatoires. This promises to be an exceptional event."

An international jury is selecting the final 42 competitors – 20 for the Junior Competition (aged up to 16) and 22 for the Senior Competition (aged under 22) – out of the more than 230 applicants. The shortlist will be announced in December 2011.

The competition will be hosted by the Central Conservatoire of Music in association with the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA), Beijing Concert Hall and the China Philharmonic Orchestra.

The competition's international jury will consist of Pamela Frank, Chair (USA), Joji Hattori, Vice-Chair (Japan), Olivier Charlier (France), Dong-Suk Kang (Korea), Hu Kun (China), Henning Kraggerud (Norway), Tasmin Little (United Kingdom), Yan Pascal Tortelier (France) and Vera Tsu (China). All jury members will also perform and give masterclasses during the competition as you can see in the following list:

Event highlights of the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists, Beijing 2012
6th April				Opening Concert at NCPA with Tasmin Little, Ning Feng, Hu Kunm Xiang Yu and Kerson Leong
12th April				Violin Trilogy with Henning Kraggerud Olivier Charlier, Joji Hattori and the China Philharmonic Orchestra
13th April				Junior Finals with the Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra
14th April				Senior Finals with the China Philharmonic Orchestra
15th April				Closing Gala Concert at NCPA with Dong-Suk Kang, the 1st Prize winners and the NCPA Orchestra, under Yan Pascal Tortelier

For more information and event details click here or take a look at the competition's website: www.menuhincompetition.org