Violin competition semi-finalists announced

Violin competition semi-finalists announced

The 18 semi-finalists and eight alternates have been selected* to compete in The Michael Hill international Violin Competition 2015, taking place between 5–13 June in Queenstown and Auckland.

This superbly talented group of young violinists, who made it through the grueling selection process from a Competition record of 158 entries, will descend on New Zealand from all over the world.

A group of leading violinists make up the initial selection panel for the Competition. This time they included Andrew Beer (Concertmaster, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), Justine Cormack (New Zealand Trio), Vesa-Matti Leppänen (Concertmaster, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra), Dene Olding (Concertmaster, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and first violinist Goldner String Quartet and the Australia Ensemble) and Wilma Smith (Concertmaster, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra).

The Panel said, “We were hugely impressed with the standard of this year’s applications. Along with a record number of entries, we felt there were a higher number of extremely high quality entrants, which made our job very difficult and will make the job of the international jury, who judge the semi-finals and finals, even harder. The art of violin playing is certainly in good stead for the The panel also decided on the recipients of the New Zealand and Australian Development Prizes.

For the 2015 Competition, the New Zealand Development Prize has been awarded to Amalia Hall and the Australian Development Prize to Markiyan Melnychenko.

The Michael Hill International Violin Competition is New Zealand’s most prestigious music competition and is recognised as one of the finest violin competitions in the world.

The winner receives $40,000, a recording contract, an intensive performance tour across New Zealand, and a personalised professional development programme. New this year, the winner will also be invited to perform on Sir Michael Hill’s personal violin, a 1755 Guadagnini named “The Southern Star”, on the Winner’s Tour.

Competition Founding Trustee, Sir Michael Hill said, “I had the pleasure of observing the selection panel through the judging process and was completely blown away by the sheer volume of amazing young violinists – there was literally one after another, after another.

“The East is turning out a huge number of top competitors these days. There are quite a few South Korean semi-finalists this year – last year we had a lot of Europeans. Of course I would have loved to have seen a New Zealander make it in again, but that’s the reality for us Kiwis competing at the very highest international level – we have some successes, but no free ride. If we make it, we’ve really earned it.”

Competition Executive Director, Anne Rodda said, “A near all-female line-up - amazing! Like the selection panel, I was surprised when the rankings were completed and to see only one male in the final 18. Of course the selection process is entirely anonymous – the judges don’t know who they are listening to. Female players have certainly proved their strength this time around.

“What I think is really telling is that only three of the 18 semi-finalists still live in their country of their birth. This illustrates that the music business, at this level, is a completely international pursuit.

People move around with such agility now and this competition goes a long way in supporting that journey for young violinists from all over the world.”

Round one and round two – solo and unaccompanied works – will take place in Queenstown from 6 to 8 June next year, with round three, piano trios, in Auckland on 10 and 11 June. The final round concerti with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will fill Auckland’s Town Hall on 13 June.

In a short time the Competition has become one of the world’s premium music events for young musicians. It attracts live audiences of more than 3000 and its online performance views exceed 250,000 (including 16,000 live streaming).

All live rounds are open to the public – tickets will be on sale early 2015.

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