The contestants will perform works by Dvořák, Mozart and Brahms in the semi-finals from 30 May to 1 June
The preliminary round of Japan’s 9th Sendai International Music Competition violin section was held from 24 to 26 May 2025. 37 contestants from 14 countries took part in the competition’s first stage.
Twelve violinists have been selected to take part in the semi-finals, which will take place from 30 May to 1 June. They are:
Jiachen Cao (China, b.2006)
Seohyeon Park (South Korea, b.2005)
Haram Kim (South Korea, b.1998)
Hyeonji Kim (South Korea, b.2000)
Boha Moon (South Korea, b.2006)
Hairui Lei (China, b.2005)
Jake Dongyoung Shim (South Korea, b.2001)
Vilmos Csikos (Belgium/Hungary, b.1996)
Aozhe Zhang (China, b.2008)
Fiona Kisara Iyoku (US/Japan, b.2007)
Momo Matoba (Japan, b.2007)
Jinzhu Li (China, b.2007)
The semi-finalists will perform either Dvořák Violin Concerto in A minor or Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor. Candidates must also perform specified parts of Brahms Symphony No.1 in C minor, second movement, as well as Mozart Cassation in G major, K63: V. Adagio.
The contestants will perform with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Junichi Hirokami, after which six finalists will be selected.
The first prizewinner will receive JPY3,000,000 (£15,000), a diploma and gold medal, as well as concerts with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and other major orchestras in Japan, plus future recital engagements in Japan and production of a CD.
Cash prizes are available for all place-winners to sixth prize, with silver and bronze medals for second and third prize respectively.
Yuzuko Horigome is the jury chair with Masafumi Hori and Young-Uck Kim as vice-chairs. The jury comprises Shmuel Ashkenasi, Boris Belkin, Mengla Huang, Cho-Liang Lin, Mihaela Martin, Liviu Prunaru, Ryo Terakado and Kyoko Yonemoto.
Read: Six violinists progress to final round of Sibelius Violin Competition
Read: 28 violinists selected for 2025 Tibor Varga Violin Competition
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