Sasha Grynyuk wins inaugural Guildhall Wigmore Recital Prize

The 25-year-old Ukrainian is the first winner of this new annual prize, which rewards talented Guildhall School of Music & Drama musicians with a recital opportunity at London's Wigmore Hall.

'I'm very happy about winning the prize,' Grynyuk tells Muso. 'I'm really looking forward to the performance - I'm really a bit excited and nervous.'

The finals were held at the school on 15 October where Grynyuk competed against four other finalists: Brian O'Kane (cello), Alexander Karpeyev (piano), Bartholomew LaFollette, (cello) and Rowan Hellier (mezzo-soprano).

A jury of John Gilhooly (Wigmore Hall's executive director), Wray Armstrong (senior vice president and co-director of IMG Artists), Adam Gatehouse (editor of live music, BBC Radio 3) and Jonathan Vaughan (director of music at the Guildhall School) selected Grynyuk as the winner.

Barry Ife, the school's principal, said: 'The award recognises the exceptional talent of Guildhall musicians and gives the winner an invaluable performance opportunity before they embark on their professional career.'

In May, Grynyuk won the school's £1,000 Gold Medal award, past winners of which include Bryn Terfel, Jacqueline du Pré and William Primrose. He received his early music training in the National Music Academy of Ukraine and made his concerto debut at the age of 11.

He is now set to perform at Wigmore Hall on 6 March 2009, playing Haydn's Piano Sonata in B minor, Ligeti's Three Etudes, Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No 7 Op 83 and Chopin's 24 Preludes Op 28. Call 020 7935 2141 from 2 January for more information and to buy tickets.

www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

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