Aozhe Zhang, born in Hefei, China, in 2008, has won the 58th International Violin Competition “Premio Paganini” in Genoa, one of the world’s most prestigious events for young violinists. The announcement was made after the final round on 25 October 2025 at the Teatro Carlo Felice, where Zhang performed Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 6, and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35.
The jury, chaired by Uto Ughi and composed of Pavel Berman, Pamela Frank, Mihaela Martin, Enzo Restagno, Sayaka Shoji, and Ulf Wallin, reached a unanimous decision in awarding Zhang the top prize. The second prize went to Rino Yoshimoto, while Hyun Seo Kim took third place.
As first-prize winner, Zhang receives €30,000 and a series of concert engagements at leading international venues and institutions. He will also record a studio recital album with the Platoon label, presented by Denzyl Feigelson, co-founder and CEO of the label.
Rino Yoshimoto receives €20,000, and Hyun Seo Kim €10,000. Among the special awards, Kim won both the Enrico Costa Prize for the youngest finalist and the Mario Ruminelli Prize for the audience favourite, while Zhang received the Fondazione Pallavicino Prize for the best performance of Paganini’s concerto.
The Associazione Amici di Paganini Prize for the best performance of the contemporary piece by Daniela Terranova went to Yeyeong Jin, and the Hotel Bristol Palace – Duetorrihotels Collection Prize for the best chamber-music performance was awarded to Tianyou Ma.
A celebration in Genoa
The gala concert took place on Sunday, 26 October, at the Teatro Carlo Felice, where Aozhe Zhang performed on Paganini’s legendary “Cannone” violin, accompanied by the Orchestra del Teatro Carlo Felice conducted by Philipp von Steinaecker. The program included Paganini’s Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, with proceeds donated to the Gaslini Hospital, in collaboration with the Gaslininsieme ETS Foundation.
Local pride and international resonance
“The victory of Aozhe Zhang confirms how the artistic legacy of Niccolò Paganini continues to inspire young generations,” said Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa. “Each edition reminds us that music is a universal language capable of uniting talents, peoples, and generations.”
Giacomo Montanari, Councillor for Culture, described the competition as “an extraordinary bridge between our city and the world.” At the same time, Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Premio, noted that “the 58th edition confirmed the extraordinary level of the competitors and the international prestige of the Premio.”
Artistic Director Nicola Bruzzo highlighted the emotional journey of the participants: “Accompanying them to the final, and finally crowning a winner, was a moving and demanding experience. Thanks to this high-level selection, Aozhe Zhang and all the finalists will embark on extraordinary international careers.”
Jury President Uto Ughi praised the young laureate’s artistry: “Aozhe Zhang showed remarkable talent across the complex articulation of the various stages. I wish him every success—he now has before him an important journey that could not have begun in a better way: performing with the legendary Cannone.”
About the Premio Paganini
Founded in 1954 in Genoa, the Premio Paganini is among the most respected violin competitions in the world, known for launching the careers of artists such as Salvatore Accardo, Gidon Kremer, and Leonidas Kavakos. Named after the legendary Genoese virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, the competition aims to promote violin excellence and uphold the city’s rich musical heritage.
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