The six finalists of the third Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition will deliver an online performance instead of competing in a final competition.



Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prestigious competition, which was initially slated for the summer of 2020, had its plans revised several times. Last year, 25 selected contestants competed online for the six spots to compete in person in Shanghai next month. They will, however, now virtually perform at the winners' concerts on August 26-28. Each finalist will take home US$20,000 to help fund their further studies and musical career.



The six finalists are Rino Yoshimoto (Japan), Thomas Lefort (France), Lin Ruifeng (China), Felicitas Schiffner (Germany), Angela Sin Ying Chan (China's Hong Kong) and Shannon Lee (US).



"The previous two competitions have displayed our international standard and top-notch quality to the world," said Yu Long, the music director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.



Yu and the orchestra launched the competition in 2016.



"All 13 jurors are on board with this proposal for the final," Yu remarked. "The competition isn't only about competing against one another; it's also about providing aspiring young musicians with an international platform for career advancement."



The six finalists of the third Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition will deliver an online performance instead of competing in a final competition.



Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prestigious competition, which was initially slated for the summer of 2020, had its plans revised several times. Last year, 25 selected contestants competed online for the six spots to compete in person in Shanghai next month. They will, however, now virtually perform at the winners' concerts on August 26-28. Each finalist will take home US$20,000 to help fund their further studies and musical career.



The six finalists are Rino Yoshimoto (Japan), Thomas Lefort (France), Lin Ruifeng (China), Felicitas Schiffner (Germany), Angela Sin Ying Chan (China's Hong Kong) and Shannon Lee (US).



"The previous two competitions have displayed our international standard and top-notch quality to the world," said Yu Long, the music director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.



Yu and the orchestra launched the competition in 2016.



"All 13 jurors are on board with this proposal for the final," Yu remarked. "The competition isn't only about competing against one another; it's also about providing aspiring young musicians with an international platform for career advancement."