Today was the official start to the Competition with several events on offer to celebrate the artists that have come to New Zealand and the violin in particular.
The Welcome Ceremony was an opportunity to properly welcome the judges and competitors to Queenstown and to thank the vast network of supporters that make the Competition possible. Commencing was a Pōwhiri, a Māori welcome on to a marae. Marae are not the only places where pōwhiri take place - pōwhiri can happen anywhere that hosts (tangata whenua) wish to formally greet a group of visitors (manuhiri).
Explanation of and preparation for the powhiri.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
The competitors (manuhiri) are escorted into the hall.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Māori is the language used during pōwhiri. While pōwhiri may vary according to the occasion and the tribal area, Māori language still guides pōwhiri. Basic pōwhiri include the following steps:
1. Karanga is a unique form of female oratory in which women bring a range of imagery and cultural expression to the first calls of welcome (and response) in the pōwhiri.
2. Whaikōrero or formal speech making follows the karanga. Some of the best Māori language orations are given during pōwhiri when skilled speakers craft the language into a series of verbal images. The protocols for whaikōrero during pōwhiri are determined by the kawa (practices) of the marae or local iwi if the pōwhiri is not held on a marae.
3. A waiata or song is sung after each whaikōrero by the group the orator represents. It is common to hear traditional waiata during pōwhiri.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Nadir, Richard, Robyn and Xiang respond with a waiata.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Welcoming performance by the Kapa Haka group.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Welcoming performance by the Kapa Haka group.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Queenstown’s Mayor, Her Worship Vanessa Van Uden, welcomes the artists to Wakatipu and the Central Lakes District.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
The Competitors soaking everything up.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
The Competitors soaking everything up.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Me thanking the sponsors and host families.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Welcoming judge Tasmin Little.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Dene Olding gives his welcomes and encouragement to the Competitors.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Sir Michael inspires the Competitors.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
The Official Draw to determine the order of Competitors.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
#1 Stefani Collins
#2 Maia Cabeza
#3 Eun-Sol Youn
#4 Martha Cohen
#5 Luke Hsu
#6 Eun-Ae Koh
#7 Woo Il Lee
#8 Arianna Warsaw-Fan
#9 Richard Lin
#10 Xiang Yu
#11 Nadir Khashimov
#12 Robyn Bollinger
#13 Anastasia Agapova
#14 Eric Silberger
#15 Min Kyung Sul
#16 Sergey Malov
#17 Luosha Fang
#18 Maciej Strzelecki
Click here to learn more about the 2011 Competitors.
Tutti and Sir Michael.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Min Kyung and her host sister.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Host Kerry Stevens quizzed the full panel of judges in topics such as what role do competitions play in the careers of violinists, what was a transformative experience that helped shaped the judges’ lives or careers, what were some disastrous moments, etc… The judges has remarkable insight and stories to tell (like when Michael Dauth’s violin “melted” in the African heat and he was left only holding the fingerboard), or typical performance anxiety dreams, etc… The honesty and generosity of themselves shown by the judges delighted and inspired the audience.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Julian Paul Anderson provided a lecture about the Cremonese Masters and Tasmin kindly demonstrated her Stradivarius, the “Regent” of 1708.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Justine Cormack’s Insiders Guide has already proven to be a very popular addition to the Competition. To kick it off, Justine gave an overview of the Competition’s history, interviewing Sir Michael and me to flesh out some areas; then she addressed what exactly the judges are looking for.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Me and Justine doing a twirl in our sponsored wardrobes generously provided by NZ designers Juliette Hogan and Cybele.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Then the reigning glory of the day’s proceedings was a simply glorious recital by Josef Spacek (winner 2009) and pianist Sarah Watkins.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Josef is dressed in a suit provided to him by Working Style.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
The surprise encore was a spellbinding duet with NZ Development Prize winner Benjamin Morrison.
Sarasate’s Navarra.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
Sarasate’s Navarra.
Photo credit: Simon Darby
