BBC Radio 3 has announced its 2013 New Generation Artists – six young musicians that the station believes have the potential to be the next classical stars. Now in its 15th year, the scheme supports the most promising musicians via a series of Radio 3 broadcasts over a two-year period - including live broadcasts with BBC orchestras, lunchtime concerts from around the UK and regular studio recordings. Over the years the scheme has nurtured such artists as Benjamin Grosvenor, Alison Balsom, the Belcea Quartet, Christine Rice and Gwilym Simcock.

This year’s New Generation Artists are: the Danish String Quartet, winners of the 11th London International String Quartet Competition; British mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately, 2011 winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award; Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Olena Tokar, finalist in the 2013 Cardiff Singer of the World competition; French viola player Lise Berthaud, winner of the Hindemith Prize at the Geneva International Competition in 2005; Swiss pianist Louis Schwitzgebel, second prize winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition; and Chinese pianist Zhang Zuo, first prize winner at the third Shanghai International Piano Competition and the 7th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition.

‘It’s fantastic to see this next wave of talented young musicians joining Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme,’ said BBC Radio 3 controller and Proms director Roger Wright. ‘In its 15 years the scheme has showcased and nurtured some of the brightest musicians working in the classical music world today and we’re looking forward to showcasing the 2013-2015 NGA artists to listeners across the UK.’