Koreans win Wieniawski, China violin competition

Violinist Yoon So-young has become the first South Korean to win the top prize of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition held from Oct. 8-23 in Poznan, Poland, the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation said.

Yoon received 45,000 euros ($62,600) in prize money and was invited to perform at a variety of international music festivals, including with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maxim Vengerov.

The competition, established in 1935, is held every five years in honor of composer Henryk Wieniawski. 

Yoon, 27, is one of the Kumho Young Artists. She graduated from Korea National University of Arts and Cologne University of Music in Germany. Yoon currently studies at Zurich University of Arts.

Meanwhile, fellow Kumho Young Artist Kim Bomsori won first prize at the China International Violin Competition. The 22-year-old Seoul National University student received $54,000 in prize money and concert opportunities including a tour in China, the foundation said. It was also the first time a Korean won the top prize there.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)