The 1997 Hannover International Violin Competition celebrates its formal opening this evening when Robert Chen, the First Prize Winner of the 1994 Competition, and the Lower Saxony State Orchestra of Hannover take to the podium. Conducted by Hannover's General Music Director Andreas Delfs, they will be playing Johannes Brahms' violin concerto in D-Major.
The Foundation of Lower Saxony (Stiftung Niedersachsen) is presenting the violin competition for the third time. Its goal is to assist young artists on their path to the world's major concert halls. The first prize in Hannover has led to international careers for the 1991 and 1994 winners, Antje Weithaas and Robert Chen.
Yesterday, 39 candidates from 15 countries registered for the competition at the Hannover Academy of Music and Theater Arts. Today at noon they will be drawing their start numbers under the direction of Linda Anne Engelhardt, executive director of the competition.
On Sunday, October 5th, the curtain goes up at 5 p.m., when the preliminary rounds begin at the Academy.
The semi-finals will also take place at the Hannover Academy from October 12th until the 14th. The competition moves on the 16th and 17th to the State Broadcasting Center of the North German Broadcasting Corporation for the final round and the gala prizewinner's concert on October 18th. All sessions of the competition are open to the public.
The competition program is a genuine marathon for the jury as well, which includes renowned virtuosos and teachers from America, Asia and Europe. The initiator and artistic director of the Hannover International Violin Competition is Professor Krzysztof Wegrzyn of Hannover.
For the third time in a row, the city of Hannover will be hosting the young violinists. »Most of our competitors will be staying with families in Hannover and environs. We are particularly thankful to them, and to all the people of Hannover whose interest and enthusiasm make this competition so special,« notes Linda Anne Engelhardt.
The Hannover International Violin Competition, dedicated to Joseph Joachim, is among the largest in the world. The Foundation of Lower Saxony awards 140,000 German Marks in cash prizes and scholarships, debut concerts with more than 40 orchestras world-wide and a CD production with Naxos to further the careers of the young artists.
Partners in the Competition are the city's major musical institutions: the Hannover Academy of Music and Theater Arts, the Lower Saxony State Orchestra of Hannover and the North German Broadcasting Corporation.
Tickets for the opening concert can be purchased at the Opera House. Tickets for the preliminary and semi-final rounds are available at the Academy, and the tickets for the finals and the gala concert are available at Laporte in Hannover.