MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 6 JUNE 2011
The top six semi-finalists in the prestigious Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2011 have been announced.
Eighteen violinists from around the world performed in the initial rounds of competition in Queenstown. The six semi-finalists who go through to the next round in Auckland are Stefani Collins (United States), Nadir Khashimov (Uzbekistan/United States), Richard Lin (Taiwan/United States), Sergey Malov (Russia), Eric Silberger (United States) and Xiang Yu (China).
Richard Lin won the $2000 award for best performance of the specially-commissioned work Gyftiko (“gypsy”) by New Zealand composer John Psathas.
The top six semi-finalists for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition head through to the next round of the contest in Auckland from Wednesday.
(Left to right): Richard Lin (Taiwan/USA), Nadir Khashimov (Uzbekistan/USA), Stefani Collins (USA), Sergey Malov (Russia), Xiang Yu (China) and Eric Silberger (USA)
Photo Credit: Simon Darby
Michael Hill International Violin Competition Director Anne Rodda says the international judging panel agreed that there had been a noticeable jump in the standard of competitors this year and it was fantastic to have full houses for the initial rounds in Queenstown.
“A number of people travelled from all around New Zealand to come to Queenstown and follow the entire competition.”
The top six competitors now compete in the next round at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall with pianist Michael Houstoun and cellist Ashley Brown on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 June. Three finalists will be selected who will perform concerti with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on Saturday 11 June.
Tickets for the next round are available from the Aotea Centre Box Office, by phoning 0800 BUY TICKETS (289 842) or www.buytickets.co.nz.
ENDS
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Background
The Michael Hill International Violin Competition aims to promote young violinists from all over the world who are launching their professional solo careers and are aspiring to establish themselves on the world stage. The competition wishes to recognise and encourage excellence and musical artistry, and to expand performance opportunities. All competition applicants are aged between 18-28 years.
The competition is judged by an international panel including Michael Dauth (Germany/Australia), Boris Garlitsky (Russia/UK), Philippe Graffin (France), Cho-Liang Lin (Taiwan/USA), Tasmin Little (UK), Vesa-Matti Leppänen (Finland/NZ) and Lara St John (Canada). The panel is chaired by New Zealander Dr Robin Congreve.
The winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition receives $NZ40,000, a CD recording through Atoll, and a winner’s tour in 2012 with Chamber Music New Zealand. Second through sixth prizes receive NZ$1,000 to NZ$10,000. A new prize offered by Julian Anderson will award the best chamber music player NZ$2,000 and the Michael Hill Audience Prize will be determined by audience texting.
The Michael Hill Violin Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (Geneva).
The Competition gratefully acknowledges support received from its array of sponsors including Michael Hill International, ANZ, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, McCann Worldgroup, Villa Maria Estate, Hotel DeBrett, and the British Council.
