Prizes Awarded at Germany’s Mendelssohn Bartholdy University Competition

Claire Wells from the Cologne University of Music and Dance won the violin category, taking home a cash prize of 4000 Euros

Claire Wells (Image courtesy: Menuhin Competition)

Established in 1878 initially as a grant program, the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Conservatory Competition supports artistic excellence presented by music students currently studying at a German conservatory.

In addition to first prize, Claire Wells also received the special prize of 500 Euros for the best interpretation of the commissioned work. 

Of the violin division, second prize with 2500 Euros was awarded to Gina Keiko Friesicke from the Detmold University of Music and third prize went to Tassilo Probst from the Munich University of Music and Theater along with 1500 Euros.

Due to the pandemic, the competition planned for January 2021 was delayed and instead took place between September 11 and 15, 2021 at the Berlin University of the Arts.

In 2013, the competition implemented a new concept and high-valued prizes, selecting prizewinners in annually changing categories — this year’s being violinists and piano trio ensembles. 

The jury for the violin category was chaired by Tanja Becker-Bender and comprised Christiane Edinger, Natalia Prishepenko, Kai Vogler, and Ulf Werner.

First prize of the piano trio division was won by Trio Hannari from Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. Their sector’s jury was chaired by Paul Rivinius and comprised Lena Neudauer, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, Thomas Selditz, and Elmar Weingarten. 

The winners were selected out of a total of 41 violinists and 17 piano trios that registered to participate in the competition.

First-prize winners will receive a CD or video production which will be produced after the competition. As part of follow-up funding, scholarships and concert opportunities are also awarded.

The competition’s 2022 edition will take place from January 12 to 16, 2022 in the divisions of composition and piano. You can apply here.