More than 30 young musicians received the loan of a valuable instrument from the foundation
Instruments by Antonio Stradivari, Guadagnini, Grancino and Vuillaume were among the prestigious loans to young players at the German Musical Instrument Fund’s annual competition, held in Lübeck between 20 and 22 February. Of the 49 young musicians who auditioned, 34 were loaned a valuable violin, viola or cello from the fund’s collection, while ten others successfully extended the loan period of their instrument.
Among this year’s winners was 24-year-old violinist Benjamin Günst, who received a violin by G.B. Guadagnini with an original label from 1756, during the maker’s Milan period. Violinist Anton Carus received a 1703 violin by Antonio Stradivari. In the cello category, twelve-year-old Charlotte Melkonian was awarded a c.1900 instrument by Stefano Scarampella. A c.1700 cello by G.B. Grancino was presented to 23-year-old Antoni Wrona. Also presented were violins by Stefan-Peter Greiner and Haiko Seifert, and a cello by Urs W. Mächler.
‘I was very impressed by the high standard of the young people, which was evident across all age groups,’ said jury chair Krzysztof Węgrzyn. ‘We did our best to find suitable instruments for all the fantastic musicians. The youngest participant was twelve years old, and truly inspired us.’ The jury members also included Ulf Wallin, German Tcakulov, Stephan Forck and Sebastian Klinger. The annual competition has taken place since 1994.
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