Classical Music News

Prizewinners Announced at the 2024 Oskar Nedbal International Viola Competition

October 9, 2024

2 MIN READ

Violist Seoyeon Ryu from Korea received First Prize

The sixth edition of the Prague-based Oskar Nedbal Viola Competition has recently come to a close. Following the video-based pre-selection rounds, 14 players proceeded to a live semi-final, in which they performed a duo-sonata of their choice — alongside the compulsory piece, Nedbal's Romantic Piece, op.18.

Four violists were then selected to proceed to the final round, where they each performed the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto with the Czech chamber orchestra Barocco Sempre Giovane.

The final results are as follows:

1st prize: Seoyeon Ryu (South Korea). Ryu receives 40,000 CZK, as well as a bow by Luboš Odlas.
2nd prize: Momoko Aritomi (Japan). Aritomi receives 30,000 CZK.
3rd prize: Brian Isaacs (USA). Isaacs receives 20,000 CZK.

These three also received a number of other perks, including a GEWA viola case, strings and accessories from Pirastro, and some concert opportunities.

A number of special prizes were also awarded: Karolina Pawul earned a special mention, Jasper Sitte won the Nedbal Prize, Brian Isaacs received the Martinů Prize, and the Pirastro Prize went to Arcan Isenkul. Seoyeon Ryu was named as the winner of the audience prize.

In 2024, the jury comprised Kristina Fialová (chair, founder), Tim Frederiksen (Denmark), Lena Eckels (Germany), Jan Pěruška (Czech Republic), and Lars Anders Tomter (Norway).