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2026-11-03T11:43:00+00:00
Swiss violist Antoine Thévoz wins the first prize of CZK50,000 (£1,700)
Photo: Jana Česáková Hyklová
Violist Antoine Thévoz
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The eighth edition of the Oskar Nedbal International Viola Competition concluded on 1 November at the Prague Conservatoire in the Czech Republic. The four finalists performed concertos by Carl Stamitz and Franz Anton Hoffmeister and were accompanied by the Barocco sempre giovane chamber orchestra.
This year, the first prize was awarded to Swiss violist Antoine Thévoz (b.2005). He receives CZK50,000 (£1,700) as well as a fine bow by Luboš Odlas. Thévoz also won the CZK10,000 (£350) prize for the best interpretation of a work by Oskar Nedbal.
The second prize of CZK30,000 (£1,000) went to Chinese violist Pengxi Zhu (b.2005), and the third prize of CZK20,000 (£700) to Chinese violist Junyan Du (b.2008), the latter also receiving the audience prize.
All three winners also received GEWA viola cases and strings. The other laureate and finalist of the competition was Japanese violist Momoka Okada (b.2001).
The CZK15,000 (£500) prize for the best interpretation of a work by Bohuslav Martinů went to German violist Hannah Teufel (b.2001), while the Pirastro prize for outstanding young talent went to South Korean violist Jaeyun Han (b.2010), receiving a Luna shoulder rest.
Thévoz is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna with Thomas Selditz, having previously studied with Miguel da Silva in Geneva. Recent competition successes include the first prize and audience prize at the 2026 Beethoven’s Hradec International Music Competition, and second prize at the 2025 International Instrumental Competition Markneukirchen and 2023 Murten Classics Valiant Forum viola competition.
The jury of this year’s competition was led by Lena Eckels and comprised Tim Frederiksen, Kristina Fialová, Jan Pěruška and Máté Szűcs.
Read: Violinist wins 2026 BBC Young Musician
Read: Winners announced at the 2026 Naumburg International Violin Competition
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The Strad Calendar 2026 showcases twelve of the finest instruments in the collection of Canimex, one of Canada’s leading arts supporters. They include masterpieces by Stradivari, Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, Guadagnini and Gagliano.
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