Prizewinners Announced at the 2024 Windsor Festival International String Competition

25-year-old Canadian-Korean cellist Andrew Byun received First Prize

The ninth edition of the Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC) has recently come to a close. Launched in memory of Windsor Festival founder Yehudi Menuhin, the competition offers more than £30,000 in prize money, as well as performance and recording opportunities.

The overall winner of the competition was the 25-year-old Canadian-Korean cellist Andrew Byun. He studied with Hans Jørgen Jensen at Northwestern University and is currently pursuing his master's degree at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Natasha Brofsky.

Byun has been invited to appear at the Music@Menlo International Program, Verbier Festival Soloists Academy, La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest, and the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center. His performances have also been featured on the WFMT, WQXR, and NPR radio stations.

As part of his first prize, Byun will play a concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in Windsor Castle's Waterloo Chamber. In addition, he will receive £5,000 cash, record a solo album on Champs Hill Records, perform at least two solo recitals, and make further concerto appearances with the RPO. 

In the competition final, he played works by Bridge, Hindemith, and Isang Yun.

Second Prize went to 24-year-old Belgian violinist Leon Blekh and Third Prize to 25-year-old American-Canadian cellist Leland Ko.

In 2024, the jury comprised Joji Hattori, Lars Tomter, Natalie Clein, Martin Denny, Alexander Van Ingen, and James Williams.

You can listen to the final in full below: