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Musica Viva Australia is back with the Melbourne Competition

Competitions

Musica Viva Australia has announced Affinity Quartet as the winner of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition 2023. Affinity Quartet, formed in Melbourne, has  been awarded the Monash University Grand Prize ($30,000), the Robert Salzer Foundation String Quartet 1st Prize ($30,000) and the Audience Prize for String Quartet ($8,000).

Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (MICMC) is a week-long international chamber music championship open to string quartets and piano trios where all members are under the age of 37. It was one of the first worldwide music competitions bringing international competitors to Australia.

Of the 14 competing Ensembles just six, three trios and three quartets, went through to the Grand Final, which took place on Sunday 9 July at Melbourne Recital Centre. The finalists were: Trio Orelon, Trio Pantoum, Trio Bohémo, Terra String Quartet, Affinity Quartet and Risus Quartet.

The 2023 International jury was comprised of Kirsten Dawes, Lukas Hagen, Louise Hopkins, Hsin-Yun Huang, Amandine Savary, Timo-Veikko Valve and Wilma Smith (Musica Viva Australia's Artistic Director of Competitions).

Laureates of the String Quartet Category

Laureates of the Piano Trio Category

Prizes:
String Quartet
1st prize: Affinity Quartet
2nd prize: The Terra String Quartet
3rd prize: Risus Quartet
Audience Prize Affinity Quartet

Piano Trio
1st prize: Trio Orelon
2nd prize: Trio Pantoum
3rd prize: Trio Bohémo
Audience Prize Trio Bohémo


Jury:
Amandine Savary, Wilma Smith, Hsin-Yun Huang, Kirsten Dawes, Louise Hopkins, Lukas Hagen, Timo-Veikko Valve
 

Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions and juror Wilma Smith said:

“It has been a real privilege for all of us in Melbourne to welcome 13 extraordinary trios and quartets to our competition this week. They have given us exhilarating and moving performances, reminding us of the unique and important role this wonderful event fills in the life of our city. The support given to the groups by volunteer hosts, generous donors and by droves of passionate chamber music listeners - in the hall and around Australia and the world - gives MICMC a warm, extended-family feel which flows to the competitors too.”

 

©Musica Viva/ WFIMC 2023