2013 Competition > Keeping Up With The Play > Wed 29 May 2013

There’s No Business Like Snow Business

2011 competition winner Sergey Malov was delighted to hear snow was forecast for Queenstown … “maybe I will get to ski?” he asked hopefully.

Sergey may not get on the slopes, but our competitors are all experiencing the winter wonderland which is Queenstown in the snow and meanwhile, we’re just pleased the weather has cleared enough to make sure everyone gets to Queenstown in time.

All but two competitors had made it to Queenstown by yesterday, but the flight delays did leave Canadian violinist Boson Mo and New Zealand Development Prize winner Ben Baker in Auckland for the night, while pianists Sarah Watkins and Diedre Irons were also delayed and judge Ida Kavafian spent an extra night in Christchurch before she drives to Dunedin for tomorrow’s masterclass.

“We’re just loving the beautiful snowy scenes here in Queenstown,” executive director Anne Rodda said. “And, with our judges arriving tomorrow and on Friday, we’re just pleased that the weather is clearing.”

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 competitor Ekaterina Frolova had to withdraw due to illness.

Today marks the first day of rehearsals for the 18 semi-finalists as they meet up with Sarah and Diedre to rehearse for the first rounds of competition which begin on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sergey thrilled the audience in Whangarei with his performance last night on violin, viola and violoncello da spalla. We’re looking forward to his concert with Sarah on Friday night in Queenstown.