Angela Sin Ying Chan made history by becoming the city’s first winner of the prestigious Joseph Joachim Violin Competition.
Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
A Hong Kong violinist has won one of the most prestigious international competitions for young soloists, the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Germany. Angela Sin Ying Chan is the first winner from Hong Kong in the event’s history.
Chan, 27, was named joint winner with Canada’s Jacques Forestier on September 28 after five rounds of competition.
The contest began on September 16 with 24 shortlisted contestants from all over the world.
The competition was founded in 1991. It is held every three years in the German city of Hanover by the Arts Foundation of Lower Saxony.
The competition is open to violinists up to the age of 33. Among the past winners is China’s Ning Feng, who won third prize in 2003 and was a judge for this year’s contest. Also on the list is Robert Chen, concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
For the final, Chan played Feder by German composer Enno Poppe and Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major, accompanied by the NDR Radio Philharmonic.
Chan told the SCMP: “I am not that young as a musician any more, and I really wanted to do my best”.
Quiz time
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What makes Angela Sin Ying Chan’s win at the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition so special?
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Who shared the prize with Chan?
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When is the competition held?
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What did Chan perform for the last round of the competition?
Suggested answers
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she is the first Hongkonger to do so
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Canada’s Jacques Forestier
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every three years in Germany
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Feder by Enno Poppe and Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major