Weather presents problems for Violin Competition

Weather presents problems for Michael Hill Violin Competition

The prestigious Michael Hill International Violin Competition gets underway this weekend and all 18 semi-finalists have now safely arrived in Queenstown for the first rounds, but not without a few delays.

One of the semi-finalists – Canadian Boson Mo – and New Zealand Development Prize winner Ben Baker spent last night in Auckland after their flights to Queenstown were cancelled due to the heavy snow and bad weather. Pianists Sarah Watkins and Diedre Irons were also delayed and judge Ida Kavafian spent an extra night in Christchurch before she drives to Dunedin to run a masterclass tomorrow.

But it’s not just travel plans which have been a challenge – violins are delicate and luthier Dick Panting has been touching base with all the violinists to check on the health of their instruments and make sure they are all in the best condition possible ahead of the competition.

It’s been a particularly exciting week for all of our semi-finalists, but none more so than for 27-year-old Korean violinist Wonyoung Jung who had just 72 hours notice to get on a plane from Seoul to New Zealand after Russian Ekaterina Frolova had to withdraw due to illness.

The 2013 Michael Hill International Violin Competition Events

QUEENSTOWN: Queenstown Memorial Hall

Friday 31 May 4.30pm: Judging The Judges – hosted by Kerry Stevens (free)

Friday 31 May 5.45pm: The Violin – How Does It Work - hosted by Dr Justine Cormack (free)

Friday 31 May 7.30pm: Welcome Back Winner Recital – Sergey Malov and Sarah Watkins (piano)

Saturday 1 June: Round I – 18 competitors perform Back and Mozart with pianists Diedre Irons and Sarah Watkins

Sunday 2 June and Monday 3 June: Round II – 18 competitors perform Paganini, a New Zealand commissioned work by Jack Body, romantic-era sonatas and a showpiece of their own choosing with pianists Diedre Irons and Sarah Watkins

Sunday 2 June 7.30pm: ‘Come Play with Me’ – the Jason Thornton Jazz Group with Karen Hattaway (vocals) and Sergey Malov (violin)

AUCKLAND: Auckland Town Hall

Wednesday 5 June 7.30pm: Round III – Chamber Music round. Three of the six semi-finalists perform piano trios with Michael Houstoun (piano) and Ashley Brown (cello)

Thursday 6 June 7.30pm: Round III – Chamber Music round. Three of the six semi-finalists perform piano trios with Michael Houstoun (piano) and Ashley Brown (cello)

Saturday 8 June 7.30pm: Final – the three top finalists each perform with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

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