American Cellist Rainer Crosett Awarded Coveted 2018 Pierre Fournier Award

26-year-old American cellist Rainer Crosett has been awarded the 2018 Pierre Fournier Award - at Wigmore Hall, in London

It has been announced today that 26-year-old American cellist Rainer Crosett has been awarded the 2018 Pierre Fournier Award - at Wigmore Hall, in London.

Presented biennially since 1988, the award aims to assist exceptionally talented young cellists, 30 years and younger, who show outstanding promise for an international career.

A graduate of Harvard University and the New England Conservatory, and current student of Ralph Kirshbaum at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, Rainer is a former prize winner at the Houston Symphony Orchestra's Ima Hogg Concerto Competition.

He will receive a recital at London's Wigmore Hall, a concerto performance with the Philharmonia Orchestra - plus a CD recording and a number of chamber music opportunities.

20-year-old Hayoung Choi from South Korea was awarded this year's £1000 incentive grant.

The 2018 jury comprised Ralph Kirshbaum, Guy Johnston, Rebecca Gilliver, Melissa Phelps, Gyorgy Pauk, Raphael Wallfisch, Timothy Walden and Helen Sprott.

Previous recipients include: Chiara Enderle, Mikhail Nemtsov, Gabriel Schwabe, Gemma Rosefield and Richard Harwood.