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Montreal, November 11, 2023 ▪ The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is thrilled to announce the name of the 2023 OSM Competition’s Grand Prize winner: Leland Ko. He wins the Barbara Bronfman Prize ($20,000) named in memory of Barbara Bronfman – a lover of music and dear patron of the OSM, as well as a residency at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Élisabeth de Belgique. ICI MUSIQUE will broadcast the WINNER’s recital (captured during the semi-finals) on its program Toute une musique, hosted by Marie-Christine Trottier, in addition to producing the Leland Ko portrait, which will be broadcast on the digital radio station ICI MUSIQUE Classique.
This 84th edition, dedicated to strings, took place from November 7 to 11, and brought together some of the country’s most talented young artists, who are the musical up-and-comers of tomorrow. Following the immense success of the in-person rounds and the orchestra’s first-ever participation in the final round, the Competition returned in force with an edition dedicated to strings.
Contestants were informed of the results of the Competition during a ceremony hosted by ICI Musique radio personality Marie-Christine Trottier tonight at the Maison Symphonique. The 2nd Prize was awarded to Justin Saulnier, while Emad Zolfaghari received the 3rd Prize.
Leland Ko
Leland Philip Ko (b. 1998), a cellist of Chinese-Canadian descent, is the kind of person who’s always had an overflow of energy. His restlessness has led him to various callings, from competitive tennis and distance running to calligraphy and origami, but so far he’s found that making music with and for others – and the process that goes into that – are the things that best focus his mind, and that this restlessness is what gives him an almost stubborn desire to experience something with his audiences and colleagues every time he walks out on stage. Though he has chosen to dedicate himself to classical music, he does his best to remember and live by a former mentor’s advice that music is about life, not the other way around.
Loyal to its mission to support the next generation of Canadian musicians, this year the OSM Competition awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes, training and performance opportunities. The complete list of the winners of the many prizes generously offered by valued partners is available here.
The OSM Competition is powered by Air Canada, in collaboration with ICI MUSIQUE.
THE OSM COMPETITION RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF SEVERAL DONORS AND PARTNERS
Thanks to Barbara Bronfman legacy gift, generations of talented young musicians will be supported in the launch of their careers and provided with the opportunity to perform with the OSM for the first time.
We also wish to thank:
Réjean Breton and Louise-Marie Dion, Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Foundation, la Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth, Jean and Michèle Paré, Fonds Paul A. Fournier Foundation, Marjorie and Gerald Bronfman Foundation, Jean and Lorraine Turmel Foundation, family Lupien Foundation, Lambert-Gagnon-Fortier Estate, OSM Volunteer Association, Marina Gusti, OSM Musicians’ Association, Fonds Ernst Pleines, Orchestra of the Americas Group, Fonds Les Amis de l’Art, Air Canada, Stingray, Orford Musique, Domaine Forget, Dixi Lambert, CANIMEX inc., Schulich School of Music of McGill University, Yamaha and ICI Musique. Contributions from the Orchestra’s public partners are essential to its operations. The OSM wishes to thanks the Government of Quebec, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts and the and the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
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