Thirteen-year-old Australian Edward Walton has taken out the top prize in this year’s Piccolo Violino Magico competition, held in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy. Open to violinists from around the world aged nine to 13, Walton receives a cash prize of €5,000 (approximately $8000AUD), a violin made by Italian luthier Fabio Piagentini, and a number of significant European concert engagements. Also awarded the Audience Prize, Walton clinched his success in the final by playing the first movements of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 1.

Edward Walton. Photo © Cameron Jamieson

Currently studying with Dr Robin Wilson at the Australian National Academy of Music, Walton is no stranger to competition success. This year has already seen him take out first prizes in the International London Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, the Jeunes Artistes musicals du centre under 19 competition in France, and the Medallion International Concerto Competition in America.

An experienced performer, Walton has appeared in recital and as a soloist in Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic...