Exciting new duo Viviane Chassot (accordion) and David Pia (cello) are the winners of this year’s award. They will make their UK debut in October with the Swiss Ambassador’s Award Concert at Wigmore Hall London, followed by concerts in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh.

Their unusual combination of instruments represents a new venture for this concert series. The prize-winning pair, who graduated in Switzerland, currently work with eminent conductors and are frequent guests at international festivals. An exclusive programme has been put together for this tour, including the world premiere of several pieces written for the duo by Swiss composer Helena Winkelman.

In 1998 the Swiss Ambassador’s Award Concert was established in the UK with the aim of presenting some of the most talented young Swiss musicians in a concert at Wigmore Hall, London. The annual event is organised by the Embassy of Switzerland and the Swiss Cultural Fund, a charity promoting Swiss artistic excellence in the UK.

Dates, venues and tickets:

22 October 2015 Wigmore Hall London

23 October 2015 Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

26 October 2015 Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival

27 October 2015 The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh