Violist Wilhelm Magner has won the Prix d’Europe 2022
Violist Wilhelm Magner has won the Prix d’Europe 2022.
Contralto Rose Naggar-Tremblay and pianists Christopher Knopp and Felix Hong also win awards at the illustrious competition.
The 110th edition of the prestigious Concours Prix d’Europe took place June 13 – 18, 2022 at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal. It was an occasion of superb music-making, which found exceptional representation by current Schulich students and alumni in both the semifinal and final rounds.
The Competition is an annual highlight of the Quebec cultural scene bringing together top musical talent. We are proud to note that of the twenty-two candidates selected for the semifinal round, the Schulich cohort included: Elie Boissinot, cello (BMus'21, current MMus); Jérôme Chiasson, violin (current BMus); Sébastien Comtois, tenor (MMus'19); Maïthéna Girault, violin (LMus’17, GDP’18); Christopher Knopp, piano (BMus'20, GDP’21); Yan Li, violin (BMus'21); Wilhelm Magner, viola (BMus'22, GDP'22); David Montreuil, viola (BMus'19, GDP'20); Rose Naggar-Tremblay, contralto (BMus’17); Frédéric Pouliot, violin (current BMus); and Elisabeth Saint-Gelais, soprano (BMus'21, current MMus).
Since 1911, the Académie de musique du Québec has held an annual competition for a scholarship, the Prix d'Europe, as well as many other scholarships totalling over $50,000. The purpose of the competition is to encourage young musicians to develop their art and to allow the winner of the Prix d'Europe to pursue his or her studies outside Quebec.
A recent graduate of the Schulich School of Music, Prix d’Europe winner Wilhelm Magner studied viola with André Roy and violin with Axel Strauss. Wilhelm also composes and will begin his studies at the Yale School of Music this fall.
Of special note is the award given to pianist Felix Hong (BMus'16, Art Dip'17, Prix d'Europe 2017) in recognition of his excellence as a collaborative pianist during the Competition.
This year’s international jury was comprised of soprano Monique Pagé; Titular organist of the Great Organ of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, Vincent Dubois; cellist Yegor Dyachkov; composer Jimmie LeBlanc; and pianist Jean Saulnier (Prix d'Europe 1986).
A total of fourteen awards were presented for the 2022 edition, and here are the laureates from the Schulich School of Music:
Prix d’Europe | $50,000 scholarship – Ministère de la Culture et des Communications
Wilhelm Magner, viola
Second Prize, Prix Pierre Mantha | $5,000 scholarship – Fondation Père Lindsay
Rose Naggar Tremblay, contralto
Fourth Prize, Prix Guy Soucie | $3,000 scholarship – Académie de musique du Québec
Christopher Knopp, piano
Prix John Newmark | $4,000 scholarship – Fonds Les Amis de l’Art
Rose Naggar-Tremblay, contralto
Prix de l’Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de Montréal | $1,000 scholarship and invitation to play as a soloist in a regular concert during the 2023 season under the direction of Louis Lavigueur C.Q.. This prize is awarded to the winner of the Prix d'Europe.
Wilhelm Magner, viola
Prix Val-d’Or en concerts | $1,500 scholarship and an invitation to perform a recital during the 2022-2023 Val-d'or en concert season. This prize is given to one of the four winners.
Wilhelm Magner, viola
Prix Claire-Charbonneau-Clerk | $1,000 scholarship - Bruno Clerk- Ce prix est remis à un candidat en chant dont les qualités artistiques et techniques auront particulièrement attiré l’attention du jury.
Rose Naggar-Tremblay, contralto
Prix Jean Marchand | $1,000 scholarship – Jean Marchand – This award is given to recognize the excellence of a collaborative pianist during the Competition.
Felix Hong, piano
Congratulations to Wilhelm on this incredible achievement and a huge bravo as well as to all the fantastic young artists for their outstanding performances throughout the competition!
For more information about the Prix d’Europe and a complete list of winners, please visit their website.