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China International Violin Competition Debuts in Qingdao

The China International Violin Competition will debut in Qingdao on September 17. This event will last until September 29 at the scenic Shandong Province port city. World-renowned violinist Lv Siqing, born in Qingdao, is the publicity personality of the competition.

Fifty contestants from 20 countries and regions are expected to compete for the US$20,000 top prize, said Pu Tong, a senior official of the Chinese Ministry of Culture. The jury committee consists of world-renown violinists, including David Cerone from the United States, Mauricio Fuks from Canada, Andras Kiss from Hungary, Gerard Poulet from France, and Sheng Zhongguo from China, according to Pu. Professor Lin Yaoji of the China Central Conservatory of Music will chair the jury committee. Wu Zuqiang, honorary president of the conservatory, will be the artistic director.

It is reported contestants were requested to play masterpieces by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Paganini in the first and semi-final rounds of the competition, which were all seen as high-level repertoires difficult to play. Most of the 50 candidates vying for the final round have won prizes in their own national competitions.

The competition will establish six awards for best players, including one prize for the best performance of Chinese works, and other special prizes.

The competition, which will be held every three years, is expected to attract the world's top violinists and display the achievements in the musical education of China to the outside world.