Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Prize

Conductor Michael Lloyd
Leader Shulah Oliver

Rossini Overture to La Cenerentola
Weber Clarinet Concerto No.2 in E flat - Soloist: Nathan Isaac
Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D - Soloist: Yujie Wang
Ravel Piano Concerto in G - Soloist: Salomé Chitaia
Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture

Supported by The Ludlow Philharmonic Prize Fund

The BPO Concerto Prize is a competition for solo performers organised and staged by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in association with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. It is acknowledged as the Conservatoire’s premier instrumental competition.

Originally known as The Ludlow Prize, it was founded in memory of David Ludlow, who both led and conducted the Birmingham Philharmonic in its formative years and who was a widely respected and talented violinist.

In a semi-final round students perform a concerto of their choice with piano accompaniment and three finalists are chosen by the Conservatoire. Later they repeat their performances to an audience, this time accompanied by the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Winners of the Prize are normally invited to perform a concerto with the Orchestra and are eligible for a substantial cash award at the discretion of the Trustees of the Prize.

The competition is judged by a well-known figure from the world of British music. Past adjudicators have included Vernon Handley, Arthur Davison, Jack Brymer, Thea King, Richard Adeney, Peter Cropper and Evelyn Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli).

Past winners of the Ludlow Philharmonic Concerto Prize include Zoltan Vincze (trumpet), David Taylor (euphonium), Anna Ovsyanikova (violin), Alison Bach (French horn), Ashley Stevens (violin), Annette Korman (flute), Pei-Fen Wang (percussion), Martin Orgill (trumpet), Michael Seal (violin) and Jack McNeill (clarinet - pictured).