Helsinki: South Korean violinist Park Sue-ye has emerged victorious at the 13th International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, acclaimed as one of the most prestigious events for violinists globally. Park was declared the first prize winner at the competition, which was held in Helsinki from May 19 to 29.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park expressed her elation over the win, stating, "I am so happy to have won the competition. It means a lot to me, and I was delighted to be able to communicate through my music to the very end." The Sibelius competition's website announced her triumph on Friday, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In addition to the honor, Park was awarded a cash prize of 30,000 euros (US$34,000) and the privilege of playing a violin crafted by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in 1777. The second prize went to Minami Yoshida, while Claire Wells secured third place. Park, aged 25, is the second South Korean to win the competition since its inception in 1965, following Yang In-mo's victory in 2022.
Born in 2000, Park began her journey with the violin at the tender age of four and made her recording debut at 16 with Niccolo Paganini's 24 Caprices. Her album "Journey Through a Century" received critical acclaim in 2021, being chosen as Editor's Choice and among Recordings of the Year by Gramophone.
In a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency, Park shared her disbelief at her achievement, stating, "I think it will take a few more days before I realize I've won this. I have seen other South Koreans win prizes from afar, and I am grateful and honored to win this competition as a Korean."
Despite the expectations placed on her as a young prodigy, Park remained surprisingly relaxed prior to the competition. She explained, "I told myself I should just go do my thing because I knew how hard I'd prepared for it. I wanted to stay focused on my own music."
Reflecting on her early passion for the violin, Park revealed that her love for the instrument's sound began with a toy violin. Looking ahead, she aspires to be a violinist whose performances resonate deeply with audiences. "I'd like to become a violinist that people want to hear over and over again, after the end of my performance," she expressed. "I want to soothe people in ways that words can't and I hope people will feel happy after listening to my music."