The 13th annual Vaclav Huml International Violin Competition recently concluded in Zagreb, Croatia, showcasing some of the most talented young violinists worldwide.
After conducting an initial pre-selection round online, the competition advanced 22 candidates to live performances held from July 2nd through July 8th. Of these, 12 musicians qualified for the second round, and ultimately three finalists were chosen. In the final stage, each finalist performed a concerto accompanied by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Pavle Zajcev.
The top honor was awarded to Austrian violinist Maria Sotriffer, who received the Zlatko Baloković Prize with a cash award of €6,000. The second prize of €3,500 was granted to Ukrainian violinist Vadym Perig, while the third prize of €2,500 went to Jiaqi Li from China.
In addition to the monetary rewards, Sotriffer secured concert engagements with both the Zagreb Philharmonic and the Zagreb Soloists. Other special prizes included performances at the Milko Kelemen Days Festival in Slatina, awarded to Croatian violinist Ana Labazan Brajša and Taiwanese violinist Tao-Yuan Hsiao. The prize for best interpretation of a composition by J.S. Bach was given to Ugnė Liepa Žuklytė from Lithuania. Furthermore, the award for the finest performance of the set piece Music for Solo Violin by Milko Kelemen went to Tao-Yuan Hsiao.
Maria Sotriffer, also the 2024 winner of the Ysaÿe International Music Competition in Liège, has garnered recognition through solo performances with ensembles such as the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava, Camerata Musica Vienna, Traismauer Chamber Orchestra, and Ensemble Neue Streicher.
The 2025 competition jury was chaired by Pavel Vernikov and included members Eduard Wulfson, Goran Končar, Anđelko Krpan, Leonid Sorokow, Kimiko Nakazawa, and Elly Suh.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
