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2nd Ceren Necipoglu Istanbul International Harp Festival announces competition winners

2nd Ceren Necipoglu Istanbul International Harp Festival competition winners
(From l. to r.) The first prize winners of the 2nd Ceren Necipoglu Istanbul International Harp Festival competitions are Zarina Zaradna (Young Hope Category) and Teodora Cotuna Rizea (Young Artist Category) in the solo harp competition, and the Dudziak & Wojcik Duo in the chamber music competition (comprising Mateusz Wojcik, guitar, and Gabriela Dudziak, harp; photo by Julia Aleksandra Śpiewak).
February 5, 2025

The 2nd Ceren Necipoglu Istanbul International Harp Festival 2025 has announced the results of its competitions. In the solo harp competition, Zarina Zaradna of Poland won first prize in the Young Hope category, and Teodora Cotuna Rizea of Spain was the winner of the Young Artist category. The first prize winner of the chamber music competition was the Dudziak & Wojcik Duo from Poland, consisting of Mateusz Wojcik (guitar) and Gabriela Dudziak (harp).

The jury for the solo harp competitions (Young Hope and Young Artist categories) consisted of five harpists, including jury president Sioned Williams (Wales, UK), as well as Anne-Sophie Bertrand (France), Çağatay Akyol (Turkey), Imogen Barford (England, UK), and Mara Galassi (Italy). The jury for the chamber music competition included jury president and harpist Florence Sitruk (Germany), along with harpists Anastasia Razvalyaeva (Hungary) and Gozde Ece Yavas Ozturk (Turkey), double bassist Onur Ozkaya (Turkey), and conductor Robertas Servenikas (Lithuania).

Results are listed below. For more information, visit the festival’s website.

Young Hope Category

1st prize: Zarina Zaradna, Poland
2nd prize (tie): Paula Wettengel, Germany, and Zeynep Duru Güleç, Turkey
Salvi & Myna Music Special Prize: Ela Talay, Turkey
Borusan Art House Special Prize: Zarina Zaradna, Poland

Young Artist Category

1st prize: Teodora Cotuna Rizea, Spain
2nd prize: Petra Barišić, Croatia
3rd prize: Sofia Moskaleva, Russia
Salvi & Myna Music Special Prize: Gloria Vlasova, Russia
Borusan Art House Special Prize: Teodora Cotuna Rizea, Spain
Imogen Barford “Guildhall Summer Harp Festival 2025” & Sioned Williams Special Prize: Teodora Cotuna Rizea, Spain

Chamber Music Category

1st prize: Dudziak & Wojcik Duo, Poland—Mateusz Wojcik (guitar) and Gabriela Dudziak (harp)
2nd prize: Mendelssohn Trio, Turkey—Evrim Aleyna Kuzucuk (violin), Tuan Güleç (cello), and Beste Eser (piano)
Mansion Prize: Raven Duo, Poland—Kaja Morawiec (flute) and Olga Ucieklak (harp)
Mansion Prize: Interna Trio, Turkey—Deniz Akgün (double bass), Sıla Arslan (double bass), and Emir Ünlüce (double bass)
Mansion Prize: Hava Piano Duo, China—Xinao Hou (piano) and Ai Guan (piano)
Borusan Art House Special Prize: Dudziak & Wojcik Duo, Poland

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