Cecil Aronowitz and Lionel Tertis International Viola Competitions - Round 3
Gifted. Talented. Future superstars.
Who’s on stage
The young violists aged 30 and under through to the third round of the Cecil Aronowitz and Lionel Tertis International Viola Competitions 2025. The winners of this semi-final will perform with Royal Northern Sinfonia in the final on Saturday 25 September.
What they’re playing
The challenge level really steps up a notch for this third round. Competitors in the Cecil Aronowitz must work with a pianist and alto singer for a two songs by Brahms, and play a high difficulty solo study. Violists taking part in the Lionel Tertis competition must play a full sonata and a concerto movement. Move between Sage Two and Northern Rock Foundation Hall throughout the day and marvel at the technical skill on display.
The judges will announce who is through to the Final in both competitions at 5pm.
Need to know
Pricing: £10 per session (plus handling fee). Your ticket allows you to move freely between the two competitions.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
What you'll hear
Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition
9.30am – 12pm | Northern Rock Foundation Hall
1.30 – 3.30pm | Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Each contestant will perform:
- Zwei Gesänge für eine Altstimme mit Bratsche und Klavier (Two songs for an alto voice with viola and piano) by Johannes Brahms
- an Etude or Caprice of high difficulty by Niccolo Paganini, Pierre Rode or Maurice Vieux.
Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition
9.30am – 12.50pm | Sage Two
1.50 – 5.10pm | Sage Two
Each contestant will perform a full work from the following list:
Arnold Bax Sonata
Arthur Bliss Sonata
Edwin York Bowen Sonata in C Minor
Edwin York Bowen Sonata in F Major
Ernst Bloch Suite
Johannes Brahms Sonata in E flat
Johannes Brahms Sonata in F minor
Rebecca Clarke Sonata
Paul Hindemith Sonata in F
Paul Hindemith Sonata in C
Franz Schubert Arpeggione Sonata D821
Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for Viola and Piano
And a movement from the following:
Béla Bartók Concerto
Edwin York Bowen Concerto opus 25
Paul Hindemith Der Schwanendreher
William Walton Concerto
