Esther Yoo

"Can the world take yet another brilliant young female violinist? Yes, if that violinist is Esther Yoo" wrote The Telegraph after the violinist’s performance with the Philharmonia Orchestra in March 2016. Esther Yoo first came to international attention as one of the youngest ever prizewinners both at the International Sibelius Violin Competition and the Queen Elisabeth Competition – and subsequently developed that reputation as a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist during 2014 -2016, culminating in an acclaimed first performance at the BBC P roms. She now tours and performs with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, as well as in recital, throughout Europe, South America, North America and Asia – including notable debuts in London (Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall), New York (Lincoln Center), Seoul (Seoul Arts Center) and festival appearances such as a 10-day LSO St Luke's series marking Simon Rattle’s inaugural season as Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. She is also active as a chamber musician, including with the Z.E.N. Trio alongside fellow BBC NGAs Zhang Zuo and Narek Hakhnazaryan.
Her journey as a recording artist began in 2015 with the release by Deutsche Grammophon of her debut album of violin concertos and shorter works commemo rating the 150th anniversary of the births of Glazunov and Sibelius. Her album of works by Tchaikovsky represents her second recording collaboration with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy, with whom she has also undertaken several international tours.
Born and raised in the U.S. and then Europe, Esther began playing the violin at the age of 4 and made her concerto debut aged 8. In 2006, she was given First Prize in the Junior Section of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition and also the European Union Award for Music Art for Youth.
Esther plays the 1704 “Prince Obolensky” Stradivarius, generously lent to her by a private collector.