Max Wung Wins 2nd Place at Ai Qin International

2019Current

4 Nov

Max Wung
2nd Place
Ai Qin International
Cello Competition
Beijing
(23-25) August 2019

China’s leading music school, the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music, holds the Ai Qin International Cello Competition once every two years. The Ai Qin is the biggest and most prestigious cello competition in China, and although it has been running for many years nationally, it was only opened up to international competitors 6 years ago. This year over 600 cellists took part in the live event in Beijing.

The competition is divided into the professional and non-professional categories. The professional category is usually for students who are studying full-time in a music conservatory. Max was accepted to compete in the Professional Junior Category (professional students aged 13-17).

The first round of the Ai Qin International is via video submission. Only the top 32 competitors are selected for the 2nd round in Beijing at the Central Conservatory of Music (23rd to 24th August 2019). Max was the only Australian cellist invited to compete in Beijing.

The international panel of judges for the Professional Junior Category included Professor Markus Stocker, renowned European Cellist Joanna Sachryn, and Professors from Beijing Central, Shanghai and Wuhan Music Conservatories.

Max’s outstanding performances in Beijing saw him win all the way through to the Final Round of 6 - the Grand Final held on the 25th of August. Each competitor in the Grand Final was required to play a full Concerto. Max’s masterful performance of the demanding Elgar Cello Concerto saw him take out 2nd prize. This is an amazing achievement!