Media release
Saturday 8 June, 2019
SOUTH KOREAN ANNA IM WINS 2019 MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION
South Korean violinist Do Gyung (Anna) Im has won the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, announced at Auckland Town Hall tonight.
In tonight’s Grand Finale, the three finalists – Anna, Eric Tsai from the USA and Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis of Latvia – each performed a concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Giordano Bellincampi.
As the winner of the tenth biennial Michael Hill International Violin Competition, Anna receives:
- NZ$40,000 in cash
- A recording contract with the Atoll label
- An intensive tour across New Zealand and Australia in 2020, presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, Musica Viva Australia and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
- A Michael Hill International Spirits Bay pendant designed by Christine, Lady Hill
- A personalised professional development programme
- A gown by Kiri Nathan for her tour.
The full top prize list was:
First Prize: Do Gyung (Anna) Im, South Korea
Second Prize: Eric Tsai, USA ($10,000 cash donated by ANZ)
Third Prize: Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis, Latvia ($5,000 cash donated by Bill and Frances Bell)
Fourth Prize: Angela Sin Ying Chan, Hong Kong ($3,000 cash donated by Peter and Carolyn Diessl)
Fifth Prize: Hannah Cho, USA ($2,000 cash donated by Janet and Russell Jones)
Sixth Prize: Victoria Wong, Australia ($1,000 cash donated by Eric Johnston and Alison Buchanan)
The tenth Competition introduced an exciting new award – the Arancio Prize, in partnership with Rare Violins of New York In Consortium. Tonight, it was announced that Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis (Latvia) receives the inaugural Arancio Prize, for which he will gain the use of a rare violin, crafted by Nicolo Amati, for two years.
The Audience Prize was also announced tonight. Since the Quarter-finals kicked off in Queenstown on 31 May, voting for the Audience Prize has been open to the public, across the globe. People have been encouraged to vote for their favourite competitor via the web site or text (NZ only). This year, Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis (Latvia) received the most votes.
Awarded in Queenstown earlier this week was the prize for Best Performance of New Zealand Commissioned Work, Lyell Cresswell’s Chatoyance, for which the Winner, Harry Ward (Australia), receives NZ$2,000, donated by Dame Jenny Gibbs.
Eric Tsai (USA) received the Chamber Music Prize of NZ$2,000, donated by Jenny Roberts and Chas Spence.
Recently, the New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize, supported by Dr Bill & Rosie Sanderson, was announced. It was won by Diane Huh and included attendance at the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, both in Queenstown and Auckland (including domestic airfares to Queenstown and Auckland and local accommodation with host families), a two-year loan of a Riccardo Bergonzi violin, customised professional development and performance opportunities, as well as an invitation and return airfare to attend the 2020 Rome Chamber Music Festival.
A young Michael Hill had big dreams of being a concert violinist. Instead, he was encouraged into the family jewellery business by his father and uncle, and the rest is New Zealand business history.
In 2001, Sir Michael decided he wanted to offer young violinists across the world the chance to pursue a successful career in violin performance – and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition was born.
Seventeen years on, the biennial “Michael Hill” is recognised as one of the most sought-after international violin prizes and the careers of some of today’s classical music legends have been launched right here in New Zealand. The Competition has been a platform for some of the world’s most successful contemporary soloists, teachers, concertmasters and ensemble players in the world.
The Competition is also acknowledged for its superstar judging panel. Every year, Queenstown and Auckland play host to some of the world’s greatest violin soloists and teachers. In 2019, this included Dale Barltrop, James Ehnes, Mauricio Fuks, Clara-Jumi Kang, Anthony Marwood, Wilma Smith and Ning Feng. Dr Robin Congreve was again the Chair of the Jury in 2019.
For more information, visit www.violincompetition.co.nz
