Unisa International Strings competition ends on a high note

Pictured (l-r) Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa Prof Puleng LenkaBula, winners Mark Lewandowski and Bryan Cheng, Former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki and Director of Unisa Music Foundation Prof Karen Devroop

8 February 2022

Unisa has been presenting international music competitions since 1982, including piano, strings, voice, flute, clarinet and organ.

This year the opening ceremony of the 6th Unisa International Strings competition took place on 24 January 2022 with a performance by the Unisa Big Band. Jazz and classical strings players from over 20 countries competed in this year’s edition which was livestreamed.

After two weeks of incredible performances the world class jury members announced the winners. The 1st place winners were Bryan Cheng (classical) from Canada and Mark Lewandowski (jazz) from the United Kingdom. The 2nd place winners were Yeongkwang Lee (classical) from South Korea and Antonio Molina Moya (jazz) from Spain and 3rd place went to Clara Saitkoulov (classical) from France and Benjamin Jephta (jazz) from South Africa.

Cheng scooped first prize for his performance of the Dvořák Cello Concerto with Mariusz Smolij and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra at the Unisa ZK Matthews Great Hall on 5 February. He also received two special prizes: the James Verwey Memorial Trust Best performance of a Baroque work in the first round and Best performance of the South African work by A Johnston or H Hofmeyr.

The Diplomatic Society congratulates the winners.