The seventh edition of the International Heifetz Competition for Violinists wrapped up this weekend in Vilnius, Lithuania. The final round took place on February 21 and 22 at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, where the finalists performed alongside the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Modestas Pitrėnas.
The prestigious first prize of €12,000 was awarded to Japanese violinist Yuki Hirano (born 2004). The second prize of €8,000 went to Chinese violinist Jinzhu Li (born 2007). The third prize was shared by South Korean violinist Chaeyeon Lee (born 2003) and Chinese violinist Shaoheng Zhong (born 2009), each receiving €3,000. Diplomas worth €1,000 were presented to the remaining finalists, Lithuanian violinist Rokas Diržys (born 2008) and Polish violinist Zofia Anna Olesik (born 2005).
In addition to the main prizes, Hirano also received a €500 special prize for the best performance of a Jascha Heifetz transcription, a gift voucher for sheet music from the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and seven concert prizes in collaboration with institutions such as the Klaipėda Concert Hall, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Poznań Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Kaunas State Philharmonic, Filarmonica de Stat Transilvania, and Paliesius Manor.
Currently studying at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna under Pavel Vernikov, Hirano previously studied with Tsugio Tokunaga. Among her achievements, she won first prize at the Vienna Classic Violin Competition in 2024 and second prize at the Ysaÿe International Music Competition.
Further special prizes were awarded as follows:
Li received a concert prize in the form of the Filarmonica de Stat Transilvania’s Young Artist Prize.
Diržys received the €1,000 special prize for the best participant from Lithuania, as well as the €500 virtual audience prize.
Olesik was awarded a scholarship to participate in the 2025 Swiss International Music Academy and a special prize from the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth.
The €1,000 prize for the best performance of With a Birdsong by Algirdas Martinaitis went to Lithuanian violinist Kristijonas Pūtys (born 2000).
All finalists were also presented with a special prize from Bärenreiter Sheet Music Publishing House.
This year’s jury for the final round included Aistė Dvarionaitė, Mario Hossen, Gidon Kremer, Rūta Lipinaitytė, Mihaela Martin, George Tudorache, and Pavel Vernikov.
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