2024 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition Winner Announced

Congratulations to Ayres Extemporae, winners of the 2024 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition! This talented early music trio, comprising violin, cello and five-string cello piccolo, wins a professional recording contract from Linn Records, £1000 cash prize, and a future paid engagement with the York Early Music Festival as well as recording opportunities with BBC Radio 3. 

Philip Hobbs, Linn Records' Producer and jury member, stated: "This competition is definitely one of the musical highlights of the year and Linn Records is very proud to continue this important relationship with the York Early Music Festival and the National Centre for Early Music. Today’s concert illustrated an array of extraordinarily inventive musical talent and I would like to congratulate all eight ensembles who performed today."

Upon hearing the news Ayres Extemporae said: "We’re absolutely delighted and honoured to receive this amazing prize and would like to thank everyone who has supported us – it’s been a wonderful experience. We’d like to thank all the other ensembles for their encouragement, friendship and brilliant musicianship. We’re looking forward to York and recording with Linn Records in the future."

Just this week Gramophone commented on the ongoing recording partnership writing: "International music competitions gifting a recording as part of their first-prize package may be increasingly common but few competition-label partnerships can boast the longevity, consistently high artistic standards and sense of identity as the one between the biennial York Early Music International Young Artists Competition and Linn Records. In fact, this is a series that now feels so synonymous with genuine and worthwhile additions to the catalogue that it’s actually worthy of collection as a set."

Congratulations Teresa, Victor and Xenia and welcome to Linn!