York Early Music International Young Artists Competition Announces 2024 Winners

The Belgian trio Ayres Extemporae won First Prize and will record a disc with Linn Records, and perform at the 2025 York Early Music Festival

The early-music trio Ayres Extemporae has been named the winner of the UK's York Early Music International Young Artists Competition for 2024. This biennial competition takes place at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) as part of the York Early Music Festival.

Eight ensembles from across the UK and Europe were selected for the final round, which took place on July 13.

Comprising Moldovan-Spanish violinist Xenia Gogu, Spanish cellist Víctor García García (playing on a five-string cello piccolo), and Portuguese cellist Teresa Madeira, Ayres Extemporae are based in Belgium and recently won the Semana de Música Antigua de Estella-Lizarra.

As part of their prize, they receive a CD recording with Linn Records (produced by its Chief Producer, Philip Hobbs), as well as a £1,000 cash prize and a paid concert as part of the 2025 York Early Music Festival.

Other prizes went to Ensemble Bastion (Most Promising Group), [hanse] Pfeyfferey (Cambridge Early Music Prize), and Apollo's Cabinet (The Friends of York Early Music Prize).

In 2024, the jury comprised Bart Demuyt, Philip Hobbs, Elizabeth Kenny, Lionel Meunier, Emily Worthington, and Stephen Devine.

"This competition is definitely one of the musical highlights of the year and Linn Records is very proud to continue this important relationship with the York Early Music Festival and the National Centre for Early Music," said Philip Hobbs, jury member and a producer at Linn Records. "Today’s concert illustrated an array of extraordinarily inventive musical talent and I would like to congratulate all eight ensembles who performed today."

"We’re absolutely delighted and honored to receive this amazing prize and would like to thank everyone who has supported us – it’s been a wonderful experience," said Ayres Extemporae. "We’d like to thank all the other ensembles for their encouragement, friendship and brilliant musicianship. We’re looking forward to York and recording with Linn Records in the future."