2021 Primrose Viola Competition Finalists Announced

The three finalists have been announced at the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition - to be streamed LIVE here on The Violin Channel on December 18th

The Colburn School in Los Angeles announced the three competitors progressing to this year's 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition Final stage.

Established in 1979, and named after the prominent viola virtuoso William Primrose, the competition is open to violists of any nationality 29 years and younger. The first prize winner will receive USD $15,000. 

All rounds of this year's competition will be streamed live on The Violin Channel. You won't miss a beat.

The 2021 finalists are:

• Natalie Loughran (24, United States)

• Samuel Rosenthal (21, United States)

• Nicholas Swensen (22, Denmark/United States)

This year, the competition will require each finalist to perform the entirety of the Bartók Viola Concerto or Walton Viola Concerto with the Colburn Orchestra.

The jury includes Barry Shiffman (Chairman), Andrés Cárdenes, Victoria Chiang, Daniel Heifetz, Mai Motobuchi, Dimitri Murrath, and Chauncey Patterson.

The first prize winner will also perform at the 2022 American Viola Society Festival and 47th International Viola Congress in June 2022.

“After a prolonged period of closure, it is especially meaningful this year to be able to present, in-person, the Primrose International Viola Competition in collaboration with the American Viola Society,” said Sel Kardan, the President and CEO of the Colburn School.

“As we prepare for the 16^th international competition honoring the legacy of William Primrose, we look forward to hearing the next top soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral players, and pedagogues on campus. These talented young musicians are an inspiration and testament to perseverance during the challenging pandemic period, and this will undoubtedly be an uplifting week of music and celebration.”

"The American Viola Society established the Primrose International Viola Competition in 1979 to recognize and encourage extraordinary young violists,” said Hillary Herndon, the President of the American Viola Society. “We are thrilled that Colburn will once again host this prominent event, and are looking forward to hearing these 24 violists live."