RNCM Manchester International Violin Competition gets underway

Thirty young violinists from all over the world took to the stage of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) at the weekend for round one of the second RNCM Manchester International Violin Competition.

Hoping to win £12,000 and the chance to perform a concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the musicians, aged between 20 and 30 and divided into two groups, each performed a sonata by Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe in front of a jury of internationally renowned violinists.

Twelve were eliminated, with the remaining 18 making it safely through to round two where they will each perform three contrasting pieces.

In addition to the prize money and RLPO performance, this year’s winner will also receive a gold-mounted bow by bowmaker Noel Burke and the chance to give a recital at the Chester Summer Music Festival. There will also be a second prize of £6,000, third prize of £3,000 and additional prizes for the best performances of specific repertoire.

During the competition the RNCM will also host an impressive Violin Making Marathon where four violin makers (William Castle, Helen Michetschlager, Kai-Thomas Roth and Marc Soubeyran) will make a copy of the RNCM’s Brodsky Guadagnini violin. The violin will be set up in full playing condition, but will be varnished subsequently. After varnishing, the violin will become part of the RNCM collection for loan of RNCM students.

The Competition final will take place at the RNCM Concert Hall on Saturday 3 December at 7.30pm.