Windsor Festival International String Competition
The Windsor Festival International String Competition is a music competition held in the United Kingdom for performers of violin, cello, and viola. The event is held biennially at Windsor Castle in Windsor. It aims to seeks out exceptional young string soloists, and to, through the prize package, launch the winner’s professional career.
History
In 2008, Windsor Festival launched its International String Competition in honour of Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Competition format
The first round is judged by submission of a video, and eight candidates out of over 150 proceed through to the second round, where they each perform a 45-minute public recital. Three go through to the final round, where they compete by playing a 25-minute public recital in front of an audience in the Waterloo Chamber of the Windsor Castle.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Second Prize | Third Prize | Audience Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Brian O'Kane | Joo Yon Sir | Not awarded | David McCaroll |
| 2009 | Diana Galvydyte | Savitri Grier | Not awarded | Diana Galvydyte |
| 2011 | Yuki Ito | Jiafeng Chen | Michael Petrov | Michael Petrov |
| 2013 | Benjamin Baker | Yuka Ishizuka | Marisol Lee | Benjamin Baker |
| 2015 | Ji Yoon Lee | Timothy Ridout | Elina Buksha | Elina Buksha |
| 2017 | Nathan Meltzer | Jonian Ilias Kadesha | Luke Hsu | Nathan Meltzer |
| 2019 | Jonathan Swensen | Jamal Aliyev | Mathilde Milwidsky | Jamal Aliyev |
2009 competition
The overall winner of the 2nd WFISC was Diana Galyvdyte from Lithuania who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The Second Prize went to Savitri Grier.
2011 competition
The overall winner of the 3rd WFISC was Yuki Ito from Japan. The Second Prize went to Jiafeng Chen, and Third Prize was awarded to Michael Petrov, who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The judging panel for the final consisted of Eugene Sarbu, Paul Silverthorne, Gustav Rivinius, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, and Sean Bishop.
2013 competition
The winner of the 4th WFISC was Benjamin Baker from New Zealand. Baker also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The Second Prize went to Yuka Ishizuka, and Third Prize was awarded to Marisol Lee. The judging panel for the final consisted of Erich Gruenberg, Paul Silverthorne, Thomas Demenga, David Whelton, and Alexander Van Ingen.
2015 competition
The overall winner of the 5th WFISC was Ji Yoon Lee from South Korea. The Second Prize went to Timothy Ridout from Britain, and Third Prize was awarded to Elina Buksha from Latvia, who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The judging panel for the final consisted of Erich Gruenberg, Roger Benedict, Raphael Wallfisch, David Whelton, Alexander Van Ingen, and Martin Denny.