Held from 18 to 20 April in Barcelona, the winners received a masterclass opportunity with Maxim Vengerov, plus cash and future performances

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Winner of last year’s 2024 edition, Valeria Abramova | victoriamusicenter.com

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The second edition of the Victoria ‘BCN’ International Violin Competition was held from 18 to 20 April 2025 at Barcelona’s Victoria Music Center.

The competition was divided into a senior category (ages 21 to 25), advanced category (ages 17 to 20) and junior category (ages 12 to 16), with contestants representing 38 countries.

In the senior category, Yinong Xiao of China and the UK took first prize. Second and third prizes went to Zixuan Shen and Langyu Qin respectively, both from China.

In the advanced category, first prize was shared by Austin Webster-Perks of the US and Canada, and Patricija Avsic of Slovenia. Second prize was shared by Polish violinist Bartosz Olszewski, South Korean violinist Minho You and Chinese violinist Haochen Wang. Third prize went to Catalin Advahov of Moldova, Maxim Larionov of Finland and Pieter Streefkerk. US violinist Aika Oki and German violinist Konrad Gmelin both received the jury’s special prize.

The junior category was won by US violinist Jacob Sun, while Sura Hasanli from Azerbaijan and Yaxin Guan from China shared third prize.

The first prize winners receive one masterclass with Maxim Vengerov. Other prizes included solo recitals and solo performances with orchestra, plus several scholarships of over €6,000. All winners received a diploma and a trophy.

The jury was presided by Viktor Tretyakov and comprised Natalia Likhopoi and Laia Montserrat.

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