Cash prizes, along with loans of a Stradivari and Jacob Stainer violins, were awarded to the three finalists, who performed salon music repertoire and works by female composers
The second edition of the Violins & Soul Competition took place on 27 June 2025 at the Amadeus Festival Vienna.
The competition comprised a blind first round, where candidates played selected works from salon music repertoire, including mandatory works by Amy Beach, Clara Schumann and Lili Boulanger. For the second round, the three finalists performed their choice of repertoire.
US violinist Audrey Park received the competition’s Grand Prize of €5,000, along with a two-year loan of a 1709 Stradivari violin from the Goh Family Collection.
Park is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Juilliard School with Hyo Kang, following undergraduate studies with Frank Huang and Cho-Liang Lin. She was a semi-finalist at major international competitions including Indianapolis, Stuttgart, Lipinski, and was invited to the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition.
Second prize went to Chinese violinist Siyi Li, who received €3,000, the Public Prize of €500, plus loan of a 1665 Jacob Stainer violin from the Goh Family Collection.
Third prize went to Lorenz Karls of Austria/Sweden, who received €1,000.
The jury panel comprised Karen Goh (festival director and patron of Violins & Soul), Brendan Goh (artistic director and patron of Violins & Soul) and Dr Wilson Goh (patron of Violins & Soul), with Mag Alexandra Gruber as official secretary.
Brendan Goh, commented: ‘The level of musicality demonstrated by all three contestants was truly outstanding, setting a high bar for future competitors.
‘As a Juilliard alum, it was an especialy proud moment to see a current Juilliard student on stage, sharing the artistry and dedication we all cultivated during our time.’
Dana Goh, visual arts coordinator of the festival, shared: ‘On behalf of the Goh Family, it is with great pleasure that we loan the 1709 Antonio Stradivari violin to Audrey Park and the 1665 Jacob Stainer violin to Siyi Li.
‘As an artist and curator based in London [Royal College of Art 2024], I am honoured to share these instruments steeped in craftsmanship, history and soul, with two musicians whose artistry echoes the very essence of the Violins & Soul competition.
‘In their hands, we believe that these violins will not only continue the legacy but sing through the hands of those who carry their souls forward.’
The Violins & Soul Competition aims to champion diverse repertoire, particularly in its commitment to performance of works by female composers. The competition was held as part of the Amadeus Festival Vienna, where this year’s theme was ‘Women and Culture’, spotlighting historically overlooked female composers.
Read: Results announced for the 2025 Antonio Mormone International Prize
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