Violinist Marlon Barrios Araya wins Junior Guildhall’s prestigious Lutine Prize
Hattie Fisk
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Guildhall School of Music & Drama has awarded violinist Marlon Barrios Araya First Prize in the final of Junior Guildhall’s most prestigious award, The Lutine Prize.
Paul Cochrane
The competition's final took place on 25 June in Milton Court Concert Hall, and was also broadcast on Guildhall School’s website on 3 July. The final is available to watch online until 10 July.
Barrios Araya’s winning performance contained recitals of Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No 5 (first movement), Ysaÿe’s Violin Sonata No 2 (first movement), and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen, accompanied by pianist Louisa Lam.
Barrios Araya said: ‘Winning the Lutine Prize has been my most successful achievement so far in my career. It has been an honour to study at Junior Guildhall, surrounded by promising young musicians and brilliant members of staff who inspire me every day to forge my artistry and musicality. I am eternally grateful to this institution for taking me as one of their students and offering me the opportunity to explore classical music in much greater depth.’
Second place was awarded to French horn player Daniel Hibbert. The other finalists included cellist Oliver Simpson, harp player Arwen Withey-Harrison, Lily Hesper-Dugdale on the clarinet and pianist Lilly Vadaneaux.
Rosie Whitfield, head of Junior Guildhall, said: ‘An astonishing evening celebrating the wealth and breadth of talent at Junior Guildhall. Despite the difficulties we’ve all faced since March 2020, our six finalists rose to the challenge, displaying breath-taking musical mastery. What a fantastic tribute to them, their parents and all those at Junior Guildhall who contributed to making the evening such a fantastic success!’
The Lutine Prize 2021 was adjudicated by composer, conductor and violinist Shirley J Thompson, chief examiner and executive director of ABRSM John Holmes, and professor of piano at Guildhall School of Music & Drama Lucy Parham.
Shirley J Thompson said: ‘It was thrilling to judge the Final of this year's Lutine Prize with my esteemed colleagues. The level of performance in all the instrumental categories was outstanding, so we were delighted to be unanimous in our choice of the prize winner. Many congratulations to all the finalists and to the Lutine Prize organisers for presenting a spectacular event.’
John Holmes said: ‘It was wonderful to be part of an audience, listening to live performance once again – an experience which was all the more special, knowing the difficulties and restrictions facing music teaching and learning during past months. These performances were a fabulous testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of these young musicians, as well as those guiding and supporting them – thank you all!’
The Lutine Prize final is part of Guildhall School’s online summer season, which is free to view on their website.