Violinists are “flavour of the month”

Violinists are “flavour of the month”

Two of the world’s greatest violinists who are firmly established on the international stage, and three talented young violinists who are at the beginning of their professional careers, will each perform with the Auckland Philharmonia over the next couple of weeks.

Frenchman Pierre Amoyal is one of the leading violinists of his generation, and his worldwide success in a broad repertoire has seen him perform with some of the world’s foremost conductors and orchestras. Following his “sold out” début with the Auckland Philharmonia in 2001, he returns on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, one of the most popular of all concertos for the instrument. “One had to admire the violinist’s big, darkly vibrant tone and effortless technique… passionately intense.” (Los Angeles Times)

Australian Dene Olding, widely regarded as an outstanding instrumentalist, has achieved a distinguished career in many aspects of musical life. On Thursday 12 June he appears with the Auckland Philharmonia performing Maninyas (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra) by acclaimed Australian composer, Ross Edwards. Maninyas was an ABC commission and received its world première performance with Dene Olding and the Sydney Symphony in 1988. “Dene Olding… providing a wealth of smooth and refined tone.” (The Strad)

In addition to their concerts with the Auckland Philharmonia (as part of the orchestra’s Royal & SunAlliance Series), both Amoyal and Olding will serve on the jury of the 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

Eighteen international violinists, representing over a dozen different countries, are being flown to Queenstown to compete in the semi-final rounds of the competition over Queen’s Birthday weekend. At the completion of the semi-finals six finalists will be announced: the first three go through to the finals and each perform a concerto on Friday 6 June with the Auckland Philharmonia under conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya; those place 4th, 5th and 6th receive Honourable Awards and perform in recital in Auckland on Thursday 5 June.

The competition prizes are generous, with the winner receiving NZ$40,000 in cash, a CD recording contract on the Naxos label for worldwide distribution, a winner’s tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2004, and a diamond and jade pendant.

The aim of the (biennial) Michael Hill International Violin Competition is to recognise and encourage excellence and musical artistry, to expand performance opportunities (including playing New Zealand repertoire), and to promote young violinists from all over the world who are on the brink of launching their professional solo careers and are aspiring to establish themselves on the world stage.

Michael Hill, of Michael Hill Jeweller fame and also an amateur violinist, had always dreamed of establishing an international violin competition based in the Southern Hemisphere. He approached the Auckland Phillharmonia to manage the event, and in 2001 the first competition was held. “The competition itself was organised very well, with the many skilled and dedicated staff and volunteers creating a supportive atmosphere for the musicians. It was a most memorable experience for everyone involved.” (Joseph Lin, 2001 Michael Hill International Violin Competition Winner)

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE SERIES Wednesday 28 May – 6.30pm, Auckland Town Hall Thursday 29 May – 8pm, Auckland Town Hall Conductor: Miguel Harth-Bedoya; Soloist: Pierre Amoyal (violin) Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Mahler: Symphony No.5

Thursday 12 June – 8pm, Auckland Town Hall Conductor: Miguel Harth-Bedoya; Soloist: Dene Olding (violin) R. Strauss: Don Juan: Tone Poem after Lenau Edwards: Maninyas (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra) Besser: Falling in Love (world première) Dvořák: Symphony No.8

MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION Honourable Awards Recital: Thursday 5 June – 7.30pm, Concert Chamber (Auckland Town Hall) Finals: Friday 6 June – 7.30pm, Auckland Town Hall

For bookings phone the Auckland Philharmonia: 0800-PHILHARMONIA (0800-744 542).

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