PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Today (Friday, April 21) at The Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 6.00pm

The winner of the University of Aberdeen’s first international ‘Classical Idol’ competition will jet into Aberdeen from South Korea this weekend to hear the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra perform her winning composition.

The performance of ‘The Deathly Wind’, by 36-year-old Si-Hyun Ji, from South Korea, will be premiered by the BBC SSO tonight (Friday, April 21) at 7.30pm, at The Music Hall, Aberdeen.

Si-Hyun Ji was voted winner of the University’s inaugural Music Prize competition at a special gala concert in May 2005, which marked the finale of a weekend-long programme of musical events designed to stimulate creativity and involvement with the arts. The talented composer beat off stiff competition from four other finalists who were competing for the coveted title of ‘Classical Idol’ and the prize of £5,000 as well as the commission for the full-scale work to be premiered by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Dr Paul Mealor, Director of the University of Aberdeen Music Prize, said he was delighted to welcome back Si-Hyun Ji to Aberdeen. He said: “Si-Hyun Ji’s winning composition was truly exceptional, a marvelous work and we are thrilled that she is able to join us for tonight’s concert when her winning score will be premiered by the BBC SSO.

“The Music Prize was a tremendous success last year and we truly achieved our objectives of staging a real celebration of music and stimulating interest in composition.”

When the University of Aberdeen launched a global search for the composers of tomorrow, they were overwhelmed to receive over 400 scores by composers from around the world. The five finalists, from South Korea, Russia, Scotland and England took part in a packed programme of concerts and workshop sessions which attracted almost 2,000 members of the public. The inaugural award for String Quartet was presented to Si-Hyun Ji after the BBC SSO performed all five of the new string quartets.

The pioneering competition attracted entries from young composers in Malaysia, China, Portugal, India, Japan, Italy, Germany, Finland, South Africa and Mexico.

The biennial University of Aberdeen Music Prize is one of the biggest competitions of its kind anywhere in the world and Dr Mealor said he was looking forward to launching next year’s competition. He said: “Composers from every corner of the world embraced the Music Prize 2005 by entering, many of them sparing the time to write to us and experess their gratitude that such an event exists.

“Nowhere else in the world does this blend of excellence and inclusion, art and creativity take place – it’s quite unique. The Music Prize has put Aberdeen on the cultural map for a very long time.”

The next University of Aberdeen Music Prize final will be held in April 2007.

Tickets for tonight’s concert are available from Aberdeen Box Office on (01224) 641122 or at the door until sold out.