South Korean cellist Lee You-bien has been awarded the top prize at the 2025 Isangyun Competition, one of the most prestigious classical music competitions in Asia. The Tongyeong International Music Foundation announced the results on Sunday following the competition's final round, which took place Saturday evening at the Tongyeong Concert Hall in South Gyeongsang Province.
Lee secured the first prize after delivering an outstanding performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1, accompanied by the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra under the baton of renowned conductor Leos Svarovsky. The performance marked the culmination of a rigorous competition process that began on November 1st and attracted 137 talented applicants from 23 countries around the world.
Expressing her gratitude during the award ceremony, Lee said, "I'm truly honored and grateful to receive such a prestigious award. I learned so much from all the other participants and have deep respect for every one of them." Her humble remarks reflected the competitive yet collaborative spirit that characterized this year's competition.
The competition's other prize winners included Lee Jeri, who took second place, while Canadian cellist Andrew Ilhoon Byun claimed third prize, and Choi A-hyeon rounded out the top four with fourth place. Beyond the main rankings, several special awards were distributed to recognize exceptional achievements in specific categories.
Lee Jeri received additional recognition with the Seong-Yawng Park Special Prize, which is specifically awarded to promising Korean musicians showing exceptional potential. Meanwhile, Lee You-bien earned a second accolade with the UNESCO City of Music Special Prize, a honor determined by audience vote, demonstrating her ability to connect with listeners beyond the judging panel.
The Isang Yun Special Prize, given to the performer who best interpreted works by the competition's namesake composer, was awarded to Andrew Ilhoon Byun for his compelling performance of "Espace I for Cello and Piano." This particular award highlights the competition's commitment to honoring the musical legacy of composer Isang Yun.
The prize winners are scheduled to showcase their talents in a winners' concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Gwangju Arts Center, giving audiences another opportunity to experience the exceptional musicianship that earned these young artists their recognition.
Established in 2003 by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation (TIMF), the Isangyun Competition serves a dual purpose: honoring the remarkable legacy of composer Isang Yun (1917-1995) and promoting cultural exchanges among nations through the universal language of music. The competition also plays a crucial role in supporting and nurturing talented young musicians from around the globe, providing them with an international platform to launch their careers.
The choice of Tongyeong as the competition's home holds special significance, as this coastal city in South Gyeongsang Province was the hometown of Isang Yun himself. This connection adds a layer of authenticity and cultural resonance to the competition, linking contemporary musical excellence with the composer's roots.
The Isangyun Competition follows a three-year rotation cycle, alternating between different instrumental disciplines to ensure comprehensive coverage of classical music performance. The competition is held annually each November, with cello competitions followed by piano competitions the next year, and violin competitions in the third year. Following this year's successful cello edition, the piano competition is scheduled for 2026, with the violin competition set for 2027.
This systematic approach ensures that each instrument receives focused attention and allows specialists in each discipline to compete at the highest level. The previous cello competition in 2022 saw Korean cellist Han Jae-min claim the first prize, establishing a strong precedent for Korean excellence in this particular category of the competition.
