Highlights of Polstjärnepriset 2025
In January 2025, the second edition of Polstjärnepriset Nordic Edition took place. Here is an overview of the fantastic week.
From 2-6 January, young musicians from all the Nordic countries gathered to learn and make music together. Not only the 20 competitors were there, but also 60 participants in the Polstjärnepriset course.
Semifinal – 3 January
On the first day of the competition, eight of the most promising young soloists were selected by our Nordic jury to compete in the semifinals.
- Clara Yuna Friedensburg (cello, Norway)
- Daniel Iourtchik (violin, Sweden)
- Edward Ahlbeck Glader (piano, Sweden)
- Olga Niemi (violin, Finland)
- Otilia Zielke (flute, Denmark)
- Samuel Ahonen (clarinet, Finland)
- Sara Hagman (violin, Sweden)
- Yufeng Pan (piano, Sweden)
Chamber and orchestra concert – 4 January
Apart from competing against each other, there was also space to make music together and have fun. On the evening of 4 January, some of the 80 musicians showed off their skills during a chamber concert in Folkets Hus. This was followed by a concert in Vänersborg Church where Dvorak’s 9th Symphony was performed by the Polstjärnepriset Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas van Tol. Pieces by Bartok and Hensel were also performed.
Final – 5 January
These four talented finalists performed their competition pieces together with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra during the final in the Gothenburg Concert Hall.
- Daniel Iourtchik (violin, Sweden) – 3rd movement from Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3
- Sara Hagman (violin, Sweden) – 1st movement from Brahms Violin Concerto
- Clara Yuna Friedensburg (cello, Norway) – 4th movement from Elgar’s Cello Concerto
- Otilia Zielke (flute, Denmark) – 1st movement from Nielsen’s Flute Concerto
After the performances, the Nordic jury was tasked with making the difficult decision as to who would be the winner of Polstjärnepriset 2025. In the meantime, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra treated the audience to Dvorak’s Overture to Othello and the fourth movement of Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony together with the Polstjärnepriset Symphony Orchestra under conductor Andreas van Tol.
When the time came, Anna-Karin Larsson, chair of the jury, came on stage to announce the result. The winner of Polstjärnepriset 2025 is cellist Clara Yuna Friedensburg!
The jury’s motivation reads: “With an expressive and highly emotional vulnerability to her playing, Clara’s powerful yet passionate tone and phrasing offers the audience an intense and unforgettable experience.”
- 1st place (50 000 kronor): Clara Yuna Friedensburg
- 2nd place (10 000 kronor): Sara Hagman
- 3rd place (5 000 kronor): Otilia Zielke
- 4th place (5 000 SEK): Daniel Iourtchik
Concert in Stockholm Concert Hall – 6 January
After the grand final, it was time to go to Stockholm for Polstjärnepriset’s own concert. The four finalists each performed a solo piece and the whole of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony was performed by the Polstjärnepriset Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas van Tol. Two different string orchestras with Polstjärnepriset participants performed Béla Bartók’s Divertimento for String Orchestra and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s Romanze from the String Quartet in E flat major.
A big thank you to all the finalists and other contestants and participants of Polstjärnepriset 2025!