JAVS Spring 2025

Next came Ami-Louise Johnsson with William Walton’s Viola Concerto, a deeply romantic piece with rhythmically complex twists. She embraced the interplay with the orchestra, delivering a performance full of joy and expression. Her evident enjoyment elevated the music, and the audience responded in kind.

The final performer, Nicolas Garrigues, presented Bartok’s Viola Concerto, a work brimming with energy and complexity. Nicolas’s interpretation was agile and thrilling, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The orchestra matched his intensity, creating a dynamic and electrifying collaboration under Zehetmair’s direction.

Congratulations to Xunyu Zhou, 1st Prize Winner of Aronowitz, and Sam Rosenthal, 1st Prize winner of Tertis.

The results: Aronowitz Competition 1st: Xunyu Zhou 2nd: Jaeyun Han 3rd: Jackson Hill Tertis Competition 1st: Sam Rosenthal

A Celebration of Talent As the jury deliberated, the audience was treated to performances by all the competition participants. The Aronowitz competitors played Sibelius’s Andante Festivo, while the Tertis participants delivered Gordon Jacob’s Octet. The evening culminated in the premiere of Robin Ireland’s Mosaic, performed by all the participants alongside students from the Royal Northern College of Music. Finally, chairs were arranged on stage for the juries and finalists. Louise Lansdown took the microphone and delivered an inspiring speech, filled with gratitude and praise for everyone involved.

2nd: Nicolas Garrigues 3rd: Ami-Louise Johnsson The room erupted in applause, followed by joyful celebrations. As I reflect on this incredible week, I am struck not only by the extraordinary talent, but also by the connections made and the sense of community shared. The future of viola music is bright, and with your support, this new generation of violists will continue to share their dreams and inspire us all.

Read more about the Tertis and Aronowitz Competitions at https://www.internationalviolasociety.com/news.

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 41, No. 1, Spring 2025

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