Get ready to be amazed by the stunning talent of several international young musicians as the CMIM’s Violin edition 2023 is all set to kick off on April 22nd and will run until May 4th. The CMIM has been providing young singers, violinists, and pianists with the opportunity to showcase their talents since 2002, and this year’s violin edition promises to be even more spectacular than ever before!
The Mini Violin segment, which took place on April 22nd and 23rd at Montreal’s Bourgie Hall was the perfect way to start the event:
Five child prodigies, between the ages of 10 to 15, initially performed with a pianist and then for the finale on Sunday with L’Orchestre de l’Agora, led by maestro Nicolas Ellis, to demonstrate their incredible skills and passion for music. It was truly an experience not to be missed.
The five young violinists between the ages of 10 and 15 years old were:
- Mark Chia (Singapore), age 10
- Corina Deng (Canada), age 15
- Sofia Demetriades (United Kingdom), age 14
- Himari (Japan), age 11
- Edna Unseld (Switzerland), age 11
The sight and sound of children performing technically challenging pieces on the violin was truly awe-inspiring. Their mastery of the instrument at such a young age with gorgeous phrasing and expressive color is a testament to their natural talent and dedication to their craft.
The participants all received 2000$ for their prestations, however a special 5000$ bursary graciously donated by the Wicha Music Foundation, was awarded to 11 years old Himari from Japan whose emotionally mature interpretation of Franz Waxman’ s Carmen Fantasy , Fritz Kreisler ‘s La Gitana and Vivaldi’s Summer, won her the audience choice’s award:
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Watching these young musicians perform with such virtuous skill and complex emotions definitely left a lasting impression on audience members of all ages.
The panel was comprised of: Jinjoo Cho (South Korea/Canada), Mihaela Martin (Romania), Richard Rodzinski (USA) and Dimitry Sitkovetsky (UnitedKingdom/USA).
I was equally glad to observe that several children occupied seats in the audience.
Introducing music to children at a young age has numerous benefits. Studies have shown that learning music at an early age can improve cognitive abilities, enhance memory, and increase overall academic achievement. Additionally, exposure to music can foster creativity, improve social skills, and provide a healthy outlet for emotional expression.
“ I really love the happy feelings and imaginative scenes that they manage to conjure. It really inspired me to practice more !”
By introducing music to children early on, we are not only enriching their lives, but also setting them up for a lifetime of musical enjoyment and fulfillment.
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To access all the LIVE recordings of both Mini Violini recitals , please visit :
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From April 25th to May 4th, 24 of the world’s most talented young violinists, between the ages of 17 to 27, will be competing in Montreal to share nearly $160,000 in prizes and awards.
Participants from 11 different countries, including two from Canada (see below), will take part in this exciting competition.
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The competition’s final will be conducted by the renowned Maestro Rafael Payare, with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM).
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The CMIM’s Director of Artistic Development, Shira Gilbert, was pretty adamant that you “shouldn’t miss the opportunity to witness the beauty of music and passion as these incredible young musicians take center stage. “
ABOUT CMIM
Le Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) is a springboard for the next generation of the world’s greatest classical music talent.
In total, 84 Winners, proud ambassadors of CMIM, from all over the world, have had a unique experience. After their participation in CMIM, many of them have been invited to perform in prestigious venues and are now pursuing a successful international career.
Since its first edition dedicated to Voice in 2002, 3,700 hopefuls have applied, and some 500 competitors have been welcomed to perform before enthusiastic audiences here in Montreal.
Get your tickets now!
Tickets and Packages on sale now: https://www.concoursmontreal.ca/en/violin-2023/tickets
For more details: concoursmontreal.ca