“How do judges decide in a Musical Competition?”, I thought, waiting for the start of the show, now in its 16th season. Especially when the 13 musicians are playing Viola/Violin/Guitar/Cello & Clarinet (I include the splendid associate pianists; Peter de Jager; Kevin Suherman & Aidan Boase.)

National auditions had been held, previously, and the Alaria Quartet (VIC), were on first. Refreshing to hear a quartet of Violists, playing York Bowen’s Fantasy. The big sister of the Violin, the Viola, has been —for some weird reason— the butt of jokes, but no jokes here, thank you: the alto sound was lovely and the four young women handled the ups & downs of the Fantasy beautifully. The British York Bowen died in 1961 but crept into the Romantic period, being born in the 1880’s.

The first Violinist appearing, Jackie Wong (VIC), played an early Sonata by Richard Strauss, Op. 18., ably  accompanied by Peter de Jager, who had a very brilliant piano part to negotiate, sounding as if a piano concerto, in places. Apart from her musicianship Jackie starred, almost literally, with a white gown covered in sequins which glinted in the lights, as she moved.

Connor Whyte (ACT) and his Classical Guitar ended the first half with music of Tarrega (“the Sarasate of the Guitar”) and Regondi. His fingerwork was extraordinary and he caught the varying moods of the Arabian Caprice, and the Slides & Turns in the Regondi Caprice were something to hear! Playing from memory it seemed to me as if he and his instrument were one.

Katrina Wang (VIC) started the second half with two movements from the second Cello Sonata of Brahms; the Adagio was elegaic and I noted the loud and soft Pizzicatos which she used.

Josephine Daniel (VIC) and her Clarinet followed and the volume she produced was extraordinary in the Weber First Concerto; and tricky tongue-fluttering and an overall beautiful tone were impressive.

The program ended with Violinist Hee Jin Park (NSW) playing the first movement from Brahms’ third Sonata and that famous firework, Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 in A minor (with a theme used by Liszt, Brahms and Rachmaninov — in his most successful Piano Concerto— just my opinion!)  “Jimmy” Park is studying in Salzburg (Mozarteum University) and has had numerous engagements world-wide. His stage manner was perfect and the Paganini pyrotechnics he played were managed as if he were not climbing a musical K2!

During the break, whilst the judges conferred, I pondered my choices of impressive performances of these very talented young musicians, ranging in age from 20-26.

The major Elisabeth Murdoch Prize ($8000) went to Violinist Hee Jin Park and the two encouragement awards ($2000) to Guitarist Connor Whyte and Clarinetist Josephine Daniel. (I had singled out those three performers as my choices and was very glad to agree with the judges! – well, a reviewer has to have some fun! LOL)
The judges were Violinist Jenny Khafagi; Wendy Clarke, Clarinetist; Leigh Harrold, Pianist, with Iain Grandage from the M.R.C. the non-voting chair.

If you missed the event but want to catch up with these young artists, 3MBS FM (Melbourne) recorded and supported the event, with Adrian McEniery from the radio station ably compering the afternoon: the recording goes-to-air from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in “Melbourne in Concert” Sunday 28/9/25.

Though the appreciative audience was very small, I noticed – can we spread the word for next year? – these practised and brilliant young performers have Australian music very safely in their hands.

Bravo to all concerned!