1st Place, 2007 - Bella Hristova (Bulgaria)
Bella Hristova - 1st Place, 2007
Since my arrival in New Zealand, each day was better than the previous one, culminating with my win. Along with the beauty of the country, I felt very welcome here, and the people were so kind and helpful. The environment was very nurturing, the first thing that sets this apart from the other major competitions. Michael Hill showed a keen interest in each of the participants, which I appreciated greatly, and I very much enjoyed his support throughout the competition. I feel he put all the competitors at ease with his wonderful sense of humor.
The collaborating artists were all very supportive and flexible to my interpretations of the repertoire I chose. The chamber music round also sets this competition apart from other major ones. Chamber music helps us to be better musicians and it requires us to listen to each other, not just play our parts. Often times in the professional world there won't be a lot of rehearsal time, so it's crucial to have good chamber music skills. This competition recognizes that by including the chamber music round in its requirements.
This competition has given me visibility and an opportunity for a CD recording, which means a lot to me. I am so grateful to Michael and Christine Hill and Anne Rodda, and to all the other sponsors and organizers of the competition, without whom the competition wouldn't exist.
Bella returns to New Zealand in 2008 for a performance tour of 16 centres. She will be collaborating with Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons, piano, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Since my arrival in New Zealand, each day was better than the previous one, culminating with my win. Along with the beauty of the country, I felt very welcome here, and the people were so kind and helpful. The environment was very nurturing, the first thing that sets this apart from the other major competitions. Michael Hill showed a keen interest in each of the participants, which I appreciated greatly, and I very much enjoyed his support throughout the competition. I feel he put all the competitors at ease with his wonderful sense of humor.
The collaborating artists were all very supportive and flexible to my interpretations of the repertoire I chose. The chamber music round also sets this competition apart from other major ones. Chamber music helps us to be better musicians and it requires us to listen to each other, not just play our parts. Often times in the professional world there won't be a lot of rehearsal time, so it's crucial to have good chamber music skills. This competition recognizes that by including the chamber music round in its requirements.
This competition has given me visibility and an opportunity for a CD recording, which means a lot to me. I am so grateful to Michael and Christine Hill and Anne Rodda, and to all the other sponsors and organizers of the competition, without whom the competition wouldn't exist.
Bella returns to New Zealand in 2008 for a performance tour of 16 centres. She will be collaborating with Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons, piano, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
2nd place, 2007 - Yuuki Wong (
Participating in the MHIVC 2007 has been a memorable experience, not only because I am a prizewinner, but also because of the hospitality and kindness of Michael and Christine Hill, the people working tirelessly to make sure things ran like clockwork and the people of Queenstown and Auckland who hosted the violinists and showed the best side of New Zealand and its people. My only regret is that I didn’t have more time to relax and look around the country, but I can only hope I will return soon!
Yuuki was the first prize winner of the Summit Music Festival Concerto Competition in August of this year, playing again the Brahms Concerto. While there, he took lessons with Aaron Rosand. Congratulations Yuuki!
3rd place, 2007 - Stefan Hempel (Germany)
The time I spent in New Zealand during the competition was just wonderful – the incredible pure nature, the host parent ( which supported me with all their power and positive energy), the audience in Queenstown and in Auckland, which was so open and attentive – I was speaking with so many nice people that after my playing – (all these things made my stay extremely comfortable, so much), that I sometimes really could forget that I was at a competition and I had to be nervous and under tension. Indeed, also because everything was so well organized, I felt more like I would give some concerts. I was also happy to play chamber music in the final rounds, which is still quite unusual for a violin competition, but, in my opinion a very good idea – that gives also a focus on other sides of the musician. I thank all the persons who are responsible for running this unique competition!
