Hsu First at Korean Competition

Congratulations to violinist Luke Hsu ’14 M.M. ’16 G.D., a student of Donald Weilerstein, who won first prize over the weekend at the 2014 Isang Yun International Violin Competition, in Tongyeong City, South Korea. An event that commemorates the prominent  Korean composer Isang Yun (1917—1995) and promotes international cultural exchange, the competition is one of the most prestigious in Korea. Hsu, who won KRW 30,000,000 (US $28,000) also won the special prize for the best performance of a work by Yun. 

In addition to two unaccompanied pieces by Yun, Hsu played the Adagio and Fugue from the Bach C major Unaccompanied Sonata. Two Paganini caprices, two  the Brahms Sonata in d minor, Ravel Tzigane and the Brahms Violin Concerto with orchestra in the final round.

Held annually in early November, the Competition offers three different disciplines—violin, piano, cello—in alternating years.