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BRUSSELS – Australian violinist Ray Chen, 20, took first-prize honours this weekend at Belgium’s Queen Elisabeth music competition, one of the world’s most prestigious and toughest classical music events.
Taiwan-born Chen overcame 68 rivals from 24 countries to win EUR 20,000 (USD 28,000), the chance to play several concerts and record a CD, and a three-year loan of a priceless Stradivarius violin.
No stranger to success, Chen — who took up the violin at age four while growing up in Brisbane — was last year’s winner of the Menuhin Competition, the world’s premier competition for young violinists.
Named in honour of a former queen of the Belgians, the month-long Queen Elisabeth competition attracts young violinists, pianists, composers and singers embarking on international music careers.
AFP / Expatica