Launched in 2014 by the British Viola Society and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the Competition is dedicated to Cecil Aronowitz, the South African violist and long-term collaborator with Benjamin Britten.
The event has been held in 2014, 2017 and 2021 open to players under the age of 21.
The next competition will be held from 19 - 25 January 2025 open to players 18 years of age and younger.
Application details will be available shortly.
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The 2021 Competition was won by Edgar Francis from Wales
The 2017 Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition was won by 18 year old Emma Wernig, from the United States.
2nd prize was awarded to 21 year old Lara Albesano from Italy
3rd prize was awarded to 18 year old Sáo Soulez Larivière from France
The £200 prize for the best performance of a Solo Bach work in the 2nd Round, was awarded to 3rd prize winner: Sào Soulez Larivière.
The £250 prize for the best performance of a Fritz Kreisler work in the 2nd Round, was awarded to Semi-Finalist: Lisa Sung.
The ‘Paul Ayres Prize’, a silver mounted Brazilian pernambuco viola bow, presented to the most promising candidate in the competition 18 years or younger, was awarded to Semi-Finalist: Yizilin Liang.
The ‘Bishop Instruments and Bows Prize’, a silver mounted Pierre Guillaume viola bow, presented for the most outstanding performance of a Sonata in the 3rd Round, was awarded to Finalist: Yue Yu.
The 2017 jury comprised: Nicola Aronowitz, Ettore Causa, Thomas Selditz, Robin Ireland, Florian Leonhard and Thomas Riebl.
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The 2014 Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition was won by 19-year-old Timothy Ridout, whilst a student at London’s Royal Academy of Music.
The Neil Ertz and Noel Burke Prize for the winning performance of solo Bach went to Violaine Despeyroux from France.
Shishi Gong from China was awarded the Ayres Violin Award for the most promising competitors aged 15 years and under.
Here is a taste of the 2014 event
The next competition will be held in 2025 .