Menuhin Competitition 2016: very good reasons why you have to get a ticket

5 April 2016, 10:53 | Updated: 15 December 2016, 11:50

Every two years, the world’s best young violinists gather for a competition that feels more like a music festival. Here’s why you should come to the 2016 edition in London.

It’s the premiere competition for young violinists

Over the course of the competition, you’ll see 44 of the world’s best young violinists, aged under 22. And they are extremely good. Here’s an 11-year-old, Soo-Been Lee, performing Summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons during the Menuhin Competition in Beijing in 2012: 

Feeling inadequate yet? Even the competition’s jury members have to perform (just in case you need proof that they are worthy to judge).

Loads of top violinists cut their teeth in the competition

British violinist Tasmin Little, Australian Ray Chen and Japanese violinist and conductor Joji Hattori, to name just a few. All three are on this year's jury. Here’s Ray Chen competing in Cardiff in 2008:

It’s not a competition – it’s a festival

And it’s taking over London’s Southbank Centre and the Royal Academy of Music. Between the opening concert on 7th April and the winners’ Gala Concert on 17th April, there are a huge number of events, including masterclasses and workshops, many of which are suitable for children. Click here for the full programme.

It’s Yehudi Menuhin’s 100th birthday this year

The founder of the competition and greatest violinist of the 20th century would have been 100 this year:

Classic FM readers will recognise at least one amazing competitor

Does Singaporean child prodigy Samuel Tan look familiar? Classic FM reported on his win against adult opposition in the Postacchini Prize in Italy two years ago. Here he is: 

There’s plenty of home interest

Three competitors come from the UK: Mathilde Milwidsky, Juliette Roos and Louisa Staples. All are taking part in the senior part of the competition (there is also a junior competition). Milwidsky (pictured above) is described by violin legend Maxim Vengerov as “an exceptional talent”. 

You might get a selfie with social media maestro Ray Chen

2016 jury member Ray Chen is highly entertaining on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat etc... He will probably approach YOU for a selfie.

I never knew I could upload videos directly to Twitter. And here I thought I knew how to social media... pic.twitter.com/YYVj1xja4N

— Ray Chen (@raychenviolin) July 30, 2015

That's enough reasons... time to book your tickets 

Book your tickets for one of the concerts, masterclasses or talks now >