Ukrainian Violinist Dmytro Udovychenko Wins 1st Prize at Queen Elisabeth Competition

The announcement came during the night of 1st to 2nd June, marking a significant milestone for the 25-year-old musician on his birthday. The American Joshua Brown received the audience prize, awarded by Klara and VRT Canvas.

A Night of Musical Excellence

The jury’s announcement, delayed slightly, concluded the 20th edition of the competition.

Udovychenko’s win was highlighted by his stunning performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a piece that resonates deeply with current global realities.

Born in Kharkiv in 1999, Udovychenko began his musical journey at the Kharkiv Music Lyceum under the tutelage of Lyudmyla Varenina. He continued his education in Germany with esteemed teachers Boris Garlitsky and Christian Tetzlaff, winning numerous international awards along the way.

His previous accolades include second prize at the Joseph Joachim Competition in 2018, third prize at the 2022 Jean Sibelius Competition, and first prize at the 2022 Singapore International Violin Competition. Udovychenko’s performance in the final round of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, which coincided with his 25th birthday, was a tour de force, captivating both the audience and the judges.

The final rankings were as follows:

1. Dmytro Udovychenko (Ukraine)
2. Joshua Brown (USA)
3. Elli Choi (USA)
4. Kevin Zhu (USA)
5. Julian Rhee (USA)
6. Minami Yoshida (Japan)

A Historic Win and a Noteworthy Gesture

Udovychenko’s victory marks the first time a Ukrainian violinist has won the Queen Elisabeth Competition since Ukraine gained independence in 1991. His reaction was one of amazement and joy: “I don’t quite know what to feel,” he said after

1st prize for Dmytro Udovychenko, who shakes hands with all the jury members except the Russian Vadim Repin.

receiving the award.

In a significant and symbolic gesture, Udovychenko shook hands with all jury members except Russian violinist Vadim Repin.

Instead, he offered Repin a respectful bow.

This act was particularly poignant given Repin’s recent accolade from President Putin, and his wife Svetlana Zakharova’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 An Audience Favourite

Viewers also had their say, casting votes for their preferred performers. Joshua Brown, who finished second overall, was the audience’s choice for the prize. Brown, the final performer of the competition, delivered a compelling performance that won over the public. Elli Choi secured second place in the audience poll, with Udovychenko in third.

A Rigorous Selection Process

This year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition attracted around 300 violinists, who submitted video applications. From these, 63 were selected to participate in the first round. Among them was 19-year-old Belgian violinist Pauline van der Rest from Namur, who impressively reached the semi-finals.

The Prize and Recognition

The first prize of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, valued at €25,000, is not just a monetary award but a significant accolade that can significantly boost a winner’s career. Udovychenko’s performance, marked by emotional depth and technical brilliance, demonstrated his strong connection to the music of Shostakovich.

The piece, composed in the late 1940s but only performed after Stalin’s death, drew parallels with today’s struggles, making Udovychenko’s interpretation particularly resonant.

Main image source: VRT.be

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