Angela Chan (Violin ’20) and Jacques Forestier Win Top Prize at 12th Joseph Joachim Violin Competition

Congratulations to Curtis alumna Angela Chan (’20) and violin student Jacques Forestier, who recently won the 12th Joseph Joachim Violin Competition and will share the first prize of 30,000 euros. Both musicians impressed the international jury with their final concert and the world premiere of “Feder,” a newly commissioned work by renowned composer Enno Poppe, written especially for the 2024 competition, and as a result, received 15,000 euros each. Ms. Chan and Mr. Forestier won an additional 10,000 euros apiece for reaching the finals and can now call themselves “Laureates of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition.”

A number of other prizes were also awarded at the ceremony in the Großer Sendesaal of the NDR Konzerthaus in Hanover, Germany. Warner Classics will record a debut album with Mr. Forestier, and he will be invited to play a 1765 violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini for the next three years, on loan from the Fritz Behrens Stiftung. The audience at the NDR Konzerthaus also awarded Mr. Forestier the audience prize of 2,000 euros. Mr. Poppe and the jury awarded the 5,000-euro prize for the best interpretation of his commissioned work “Feder” to Ms. Chan. Additionally, both violinists will receive a number of upcoming concert engagements from various concert partners across the globe. 

“We are delighted to be able to honour two young personalities with the main prize, combining technical perfection and charisma. I warmly congratulate Angela Chan and Jacques Forestier,” said Lavinia Francke, general secretary of the organizing Stiftung Niedersachsen. “I would like to thank all 21 participants, all partners, the jury, Artistic Directors Antje Weithaas and Oliver Wille, and everyone involved for their commitment and trust in the competition.”

Learn more about the competition and see the full list of winners and their prizes on the competition’s website or via the Violin Channel. 

Photos of Ms. Chan and Mr. Forestier courtesy of the artists. Portrait of Ms. Chan and Mr. Forestier, courtesy of the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition.