Over 20 years of supporting exceptionally talented young cellists
History of the Award
One of the world’s greatest cellists Pierre Fournier died in 1986 and, to honour his memory, Ralph Kirshbaum arranged a concert that took place in June of that year.
From the proceeds of that concert, the Pierre Fournier Award was founded and the first auditions took place in 1988. The Award’s aim is to assist exceptional talent by promoting a recital in London’s Wigmore Hall, complete with a professional CD recording of this event as well as other significant orchestral and chamber music appearances, such as with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and at Oxford May Music.
In 2009 the Pierre Fournier Award, for the first time, became open to applicants worldwide. The Pierre Fournier Award has developed a strong international reputation but previously was open only to cellists living or studying in the UK.
The Pierre Fournier Award
The recipient of the Pierre Fournier Award will receive a recital in London's Wigmore Hall, a professional CD recording of this recital, as well as other significant orchestral and chamber music performances with affiliated organisations.
2013 Award Auditions
The recipient of the 2011 Pierre Fournier Award is Mikhail Nemtsov.
Applicants can find more information on future submissions on the 2013 Award Auditions page.
Past recipients, panel members and trustees
Pierre Fournier Award recipients
2011 Mikhail Nemtsov
2009 Gabriel Schwabe
2007 Gemma Rosefield
2004 Richard Harwood
1998 Alice Neary
1994 Rebecca Gilliver
1992 Hannah Roberts
1988 Gregor Horsch
Through the years major incentive grants have been given to:
2001 Marie Bitlloch and Alexander Chaushian
1998 Thomas Carroll
1996 Alice Neary and Jamie Walton
1990 Louise Hopkins and Ewa Miecznikowska
The winners up until 2007 gave two recitals: one in London’s Wigmore Hall and one at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival, as well as their CD recordings. Over the years, the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival, which ran from 1988 to 2007, added in excess of £130,000 to the endowment of this award.
Panel members
Past panel members have included distinguished cellists and musicians such as Ian Brown, Colin Carr, Levon Chilingirian, Misha Donat, Amaryllis Fleming, Karine Georgian, Jonathan Groves, Martin Lovett, Ralph Kirshbaum, Alice Neary, Anthony Payne, William Pleeth, David Strange, Raphael Wallfisch, Eleanor Warren and Moray Welsh.
Trustees
Ralph Kirshbaum, Alice Neary, David Sigall, Raphael Wallfisch and Moray Welsh.
Administrator
Jane Nicolson