Simon Zhu
(c) Kaupo Kikkas
22-year-old violinist Simon Zhu is the winner of the 2023 Premio Paganini Competition at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. The Premio Paganini is worth €30,000. Zhu will also be invited to perform at an impressive list of concerts. Additionally, he will be offered the opportunity to play the Cannone, a Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ which Paganini gave to his hometown and which is now kept in Palazzo Tursi, seat of the Municipality of Genoa.
Jingzhi Zhang won second prize, while Qingzhu Weng received third prize.
Simon Zhu was born in Germany in 2001. He received his first violin lessons at the age of six. His exceptional talent was recognized early on, so he was soon being taught by renowned violin professors. Since 2021, he has been studying with Prof. Ana Chumachenco in Munich.
Among his numerous awards are First Prize at the 13th International Georg Philipp Telemann Competition in Poznan, Poland in 2016, Second Prize at the Menuhin Competition in Richmond, Virginia, as well as the Mozart Prize and the European Community EMCY Award for his outstanding performance at the Menuhin Competition.
Simon Zhu is a scholarship holder at the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and takes part in intensive music weeks and activities of the Academy.
