European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO) Rising Stars, showcase at The Glasshouse, 25 January 2025
https://www.concerthallorganisation.eu/organisation
Tertis & Aronowitz International Viola Competition, the recently merged Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz prizes, 19-25 January 2025
Tickets on sale Saturday 27 September, 12noon
In January next year, two of the major events identifying and celebrating the next big things in classical music will come together in an explosion of talent at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Bartok’s death the Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions and ECHO Rising Stars will take place in the North East between 19 and 25 January.
Each year, the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO) selects a group of exceptional young artists to become its Rising Stars. These outstanding performers are supported to develop their careers in a whole range of ways, including the fantastic opportunity to tour the major concert halls of Europe.
The ECHO Rising Stars programme has shaped the musical careers of many of today’s world-class artists, and for audiences it is an unrivalled opportunity to hear the classical stars of the future. Next year, four of these incredible musicians will arrive in the North East for a day of mini concerts and Q&As, compered by bassoonist and BBC Radio 3 presenter, Linton Stephens. Audiences have the opportunity to be among the first to hear some of these bright stars of music’s future.
Cellist Benjamin Kruithof is accompanied by pianist Zhora Sargsyan piano; trumpeter Matilda Lloyd is accompanied by pianist Kunal Lahiry; clarinetist Carlos Ferreira is accompanied by pianist Pedro Emanuel Pereira; and violist Sào Soulez Larivière is accompanied by percussionist Christoph Sietzen (a Rising Star himself in 2017/18).
The Glasshouse was involved in the nomination process alongside its partner concert halls in ECHO.
Each Rising Star will perform a new commission, and Carlos Ferreira performs a new work by Lanqin Ding co-commissioned by The Glasshouse and Casa da Música in Porto.
Previous ECHO Rising Stars have included those now establishing themselves as household names, including Jess Gillam, Sean Shibe, Juliette Bausor and Isata Kanneh-Mason.
In the same week, the Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions take place at The Glasshouse for the first time, with the Royal Northern Sinfonia working with each of the finalists. Members of the public can secure tickets to all the competition rounds and finals, following each of the competitors all the way through to the winner being declared. There is also a “360 Degree Festival” running alongside the competition with a comprehensive series of talks, masterclasses, workshops and opportunities to play for students, scholars, professionals, amateurs, and anyone who loves the viola.
James Thomas, Director of Classical Music at The Glasshouse, said: “The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is incredibly proud to be working with these amazing partners and is a fitting home for both events given our work to support talent development and emerging artists.”
Dr Louise Lansdown, Executive Artistic Director of the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions, said: “This seismic hommage to the viola at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a fitting tribute and celebration of the incredible British viola legacy of Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz. Just a few miles from Tertis’s birthplace in Hartlepool the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions have found their new home in Gateshead. With some of the biggest artists in the business, Nobuko Imai, Timothy Ridout the competitions will welcome over 60 competitors and juries from across the globe. Don’t miss out. Come and join us!”