Press release, just in. Boris says: Jolly good thing.

 

 

Menuhin Competition returns to London in 2016

in celebration of Yehudi Menuhin’s Centenary

7-17 April 2016

 

The Menuhin Competition – the world’s leading competition for violinists under the age of 22 – announces its return to London in 2016 in celebration of Yehudi Menuhin’s centenary.

 

Founded by Yehudi Menuhin in 1983 and taking place in a different international city every two years, the Competition returns to London in 2016 after first being held there in 2004. The centenary event will take place in partnership with some of the UK’s leading music organisations:  the Royal Academy of Music, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Southbank Centre, the Yehudi Menuhin School and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. It will be presented in association with the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Radio 3 which will broadcast the major concerts.

 

Yehudi Menuhin lived much of his life in Britain, and his legacy – not just as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, but as an ambassador for music education – is the focus of all the Competition’s programming. More festival of music and cultural exchange than mere competition, the Menuhin Competition in 2016 will be a rich ten-day programme of concerts, masterclasses, talks and participatory activities with world-class performances from candidates and jury members alike. Competition rounds take place at the Royal Academy of Music, with concerts held at London’s Southbank Centre. 2016 jury members include previous winners who have gone on to become world class soloists: Tasmin Little OBE, Julia Fischer and Ray Chen.

 

Duncan Greenland, Chairman of the Menuhin Competition comments:

 

“We are delighted to be bringing the Competition to London in Menuhin’s centenary year and working with such prestigious partners. With Menuhin’s legacy at its core, a sense of learning and participation is as important as the competition itself and, with its festival spirit of collaboration and collegiate sense of nurturing, the Menuhin Competition is unique among music competitions.”

 

Welcomed to London by the British Government and London & Partners, The Mayor of London Boris Johnson says:

 

“It is wonderful that the prestigious Menuhin Competition is coming back to London in 2016, the centenary year of the great maestro. This exciting showcase of some of the best young violinists from across the globe will be a feast for music fans, which I hope will inspire other gifted young people in the capital and across the country.”

 

The Competition’s aim to discover and help exceptionally talented young musicians from around the world develop into artists of the highest calibre, is demonstrated by its impressive array of previous winners, which include Tasmin Little OBE, Julia Fischer, Ilya Gringolts, Nikolaj Znaider, Ray Chen and Chad Hoopes.

 

The next Menuhin Competition takes place from 21 February – 2 March 2014 in Austin, Texas, in the first time the Competition is being held in the USA. The Competition can be followed via live-stream at www.menuhincompetition.org and its winners will be performing at the opening concert of the 2016 Menuhin Competition in London.