The 5th Schoenfeld International String Competition successfully concluded in Harbin, the capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, on Sept 17.
 
The closing ceremony was divided into two parts: an awards ceremony and a closing concert.
 
During the former, the winners of the top three spots in the Schoenfeld Chamber Music Competition, as well as the winners of the Best Beethoven Performance, Best Chinese Composition Performance, and first, second, and third-place winners in the cello and violin competitions, went on stage to receive their awards.
 
Regarding the performances of the competitors, Alto Noras, chairman of the cello judges, said the violin, cello, and chamber music categories of this year's competition were all very challenging.
 
During the closing concert, the award-winning musicians performed familiar compositions such as Haydn's "Piano Trio in C Major," "Sketches of Wild Geese," Brahms' "Violin Concerto in D Major," and Dvořák's "Cello Concerto in B Minor."
   
This year's Schoenfeld International String Competition attracted 91 top international string musicians from 27 countries and regions including Germany, France, Japan, Poland and Belgium.
 
The competition featured seven concerts, including violin, cello, and chamber music, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies, four masterclasses taught by judges, and roundtable discussions.
 
This competition not only enhanced Harbin's popularity and reputation but also showcased the diverse, international, and inclusive style of the concerts held in the city.
 
It further enriched Harbin's international image as a "Music City" and provided a window and platform for cultural exchanges among people from various countries.
   
Musicians perform during the closing ceremony of the 5th Schoenfeld International String Competition. [Photo/Ice City Plus]