Russian Girl Wins Wieniawski Contest

The 12th Henri Wieniawski violin contest in Poznan, Poland, was summed up in the small hours today. It had gathered 51 performers from all over the world. Alena Bayeva, 16, of Russia, won gold. She will receive her medal and an US$25,000 prize in tonight's gala. Armenia's Gayik Kazazyan, 19, Moscow Conservatory undergraduate, won third prize. Young performers excelled in the event. The finalists are sure to do well in any other international competition, says Shlomo Minz, Israeli virtuoso and Wieniawski jury president. Starting in 1935, the Henri Wieniawski is Europe's longest-established international violin contest. Renowned Soviet musician David Oistrakh was among its winners.