pianomania: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION 2026 HAS BEGUN!

Singapore's premier international violin event has just begun. The Singapore International Violin Competition, now in its fourth edition, runs from today till 7 February 2026. Over two weeks, one will get to see and hear 30 of the finest young violinists in the world, vying for a top prize of $50,000, a loan of a prized violin from the Rin Collection, maybe a CD recording, and worldwide engagements. The top three violinists will perform a concerto with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall on 7 February.

The Singapore-based Rin Collection
is a source of national pride.

Millions of dollars of wood and gut on display.

To be honest, the weeks leading to the competition did not seem too promising. Almost low-key compared with previous editions, its website (www.singaporeviolincompetition.com) was not updated till very late. The names of participants and jury members were only revealed very recently, with neither bios available for viewing. The programme booklet had yet to be printed, and an online version was only available today (Issuu Reader). Even the door leading from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory car park to the lift area was still locked half-an-hour from first performance, necessitating entry from the front. Further embarrassment came when the competition started 30 minutes late.

And here is the First Round
First Session schedule.
29 violinists in all.

This all changed the moment the first competitor, Belgium's Alexandra Cooreman, sounded the first note. The sound of unaccompanied Bach was divine, and her performance indicative of the highest standards this competition has been accustomed to over the years. Hearing four other violinists after her (that's all I had time for this afternoon before hurrying off to another concert), I am convinced this competition will provide many brilliant and thrilling hours of violin playing to come. Here are some of my photos from the first three hours of SIVC 2026. Happy listening!