The twelve semifinalists of the 7th Hannover International Violin Competition have been chosen

Ocotber 2, 2009. The Hannover International Violin Competition this evening announced the names of the twelve participants who have been selected by the star-studded Jury to go through to the semifinal of the world's most highly endowed violin competition.

- David Coucheron (Norway)
- Yusuke Hayashi (Japan)
- Yoo Jin Jang (South Korea)
- Stephanie Jeong (USA)
- Clara-Jumi Kang (Germany/South Korea)
- Haik Kazazyan (Armenia/Russia)
- Hyuk Joo Kwun (South Korea)
- Yura Lee (South Korea)
- Fumiaki Miura (Japan)
- Solenne Païdassi (France)
- Jung Yoon Yang (South Korea)
- Itamar Zorman (Israel)

The semifinal at the University of Music and Drama Hannover opens at 10 a.m. tomorrow, October 3, with the world premiere of the new work specially commissioned for the competition: ›oréade‹ for violin and piano by Johannes Schöllhorn. All the semifinalists will appear twice; firstly from 10 a.m. on October 3, 4 or 5, when each will give a recital, and then again from 8 p.m. on October 4, 5 or 6, performing a Mozart or Haydn concerto with the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio, conducted by Agnieszka Duczmal. All the performances are broadcast by live stream at www.violin-competition.de.

The Hannover International Violin Competition – dedicated to Joseph Joachim – was founded in 1991 and is presented every three years by the Stiftung Niedersachsen in cooperation with the University of Music and Drama Hannover, the NDR (North German Broadcasting) and the Staatsoper Hannover. The Hannover International Violin Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, Geneva, and is taking place for the 7th time from September 26 through October 10, 2009.

Recent press photos at www.violin-competition.de. Press queries can be directed to Anke Schauer on +49 (0)511 - 990 54 18 (office) or +49 (0)511 - 3100-218 (University of Music and Drama), or by email to schauer@violin-competition.de.