Violist beats two violinists to take major prize

The Windsor Festival strings competition, commemorating the festival founder Yehudi Menuhin, was won last night at Eton College by the Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari, a student at Curtis.

Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari wins Windsor Festival International String Competition

Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari, 21, has won the 2026 Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC), becoming the first violist in the history of the event to take first prize.

 

Competition News VC Artist Violist Emad Zolfaghari Wins Windsor Festival International String Competition

21-year-old Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari has been crowned the winner, becoming the first violist in WFISC history to take first prize.

Zolfaghari receives a £5,000 cash prize, a solo recording with Champs Hill Records, a performance in Windsor Castle during the 2027 Windsor Festival with Associate Orchestra, a concerto commission from composer Sally Beamish, featuring a world premiere performance in London with Orpheus Sinfonia in June 2027, plus recital opportunities including at La Mortella (Ischia, Italy) and major UK Festivals.

 

Violist Wins ArsClassica International Strings Competition

We are pleased to announce the Prize Winners of the 3rd edition of the ArsClassica International Competition Strings 2025:

Emad Zolfaghari (21) - viola @wmadzolfaghari
🥇 1st ArsClassica Prize
🎶 Audience Prize
🎵 Giulio Carpano Prize by @oropamusicfestival
🎻 Menanteau Prize by @romaliuteria

 

Winners Announced at the 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition

Violist Emad Zolfaghari won first prize in this year's competition

The 17th Primrose International Viola Competition, presented by The Colburn School and the American Viola Society, recently came to a close at Colburn School’s Zipper Hall. Featuring the world's best and most promising young violists, all live rounds are now available for playback on The Violin Channel.

Canadian Emad Zolfaghari has been named the first-prize winner and will receive $15,000. Emad will also receive an invitation to perform at the 2026 American Viola Society Festival and an invitation to the semi-finals of the Concert Artists Guild Competition. He also won the Audience Prize after members of the audience voted for their favorite competitor in the Final Round.