The jury made its decision on who will advance to the second round after the final first round concert

The first round of the XIII International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition took place at the historic Concert Hall of the Sibelius Academy from 19 to 21 May. On Wednesday evening, following the sixth and final session, the jury selected the competitors who will continue in the competition.

Out of the 40 violinists who performed in the first round, 18 have been selected to proceed to the second round.

10. Gabrielle Després
12. Otto Antikainen
14. Nakyung Kang
15. Wonbeen Chung
18. Claire Wells
19. Hyun Jae Lim
21. Minami Yoshida
23. Sara Watanabe
24. Qingzhu Weng
25. Bohdan Luts
29. Marika Konishi
33. Marina Wako
35. Aoi Saito
37. Amia Janicki
38. Sueye Park
41. Yukiko Uno
5. Alice Lee
6. Anna Lee


The updated schedule for the second round is now available on the competition’s website.

The second round will also take place in the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall from 23 to 25 May.

In this round, the competitors will perform both solo repertoire and works with a pianist. One of the required pieces is Seasons Remembered by composer Outi Tarkiainen – a commissioned work that will receive its world premiere during the second round.

Each competitor has up to 70 minutes of stage time.

Pictured: the 18 violinists selected for the second round. Photo: Eva-Liisa Orupõld.

Second Round Schedule and Performers

1st Second round: May 23, 10 AM

10. Gabrielle Després
12. Otto Antikainen
14. Nakyung Kang

2nd Second round: May 23, 5 PM

15. Wonbeen Chung
18. Claire Wells
19. Hyun Jae Lim

3rd Second round: May 24, 10 AM

21. Minami Yoshida
23. Sara Watanabe
24. Qingzhu Weng

4th Second round: May 24, 5 PM

25. Bohdan Luts
29. Marika Konishi
33. Marina Wako

5th Second round: May 25, 10 AM

35. Aoi Saito
37. Amia Janicki
38. Sueye Park

6th Second round: May 25, 5 PM

41. Yukiko Uno
5. Alice Lee
6. Anna Lee