IVC2012, 40th International Viola Congress

Today’s Young Artist Competition was very exciting and full of big sounds and sensitive moments. Believe me when I say that EVERY semifinalist deserves recognition for great achievements onstage.

Many thanks to our judges for their time and consideration: James Dunham, Wing Ho, and Karen Ritscher.

Here are the results:

Prize for the best performance of David Liptak’s Edge of Amber, commissioned for the IVC 2012 YAC through the generosity of Stephen Lurie and Kathleen Holt (CDs given by IVC 2012 Hosts): Diyang Mei

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IVC 2012 COMMUNITY VIOLA DAY PRIZES (voted on during the YAC finals by the participants in the IVC 2012 Community Viola Day, open to middle- and high-school-aged violists from the Rochester/Western NY area):

“Best Bach” – Yifeng Qiu

“Most Charismatic Performer” – Matthew Lipman

“Most Beautiful Sound” – Anqi Lv

“Most Musical Performer” – Diyang Mei

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THIRD PRIZE: $1000 USD, donated by Nocon and Associates – Yifeng Qiu

SECOND PRIZE: $2000 USD, donated by Signorelli String Instruments Ltd. – Matthew Lipman

FIRST PRIZE: A bow made for this competition (and stamped “IVC 2012″) by Benoit Rolland, and $3000 USD donated by The String House of Rochester, NY – Diyang Mei

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Again, bravi tutti and best of luck to all!!

The twelve Young Artist Competition semifinalists just met to draw lots earlier this afternoon–it was so exciting to see them all together, and will be even more thrilling to see them all play tomorrow! Here is the order:

1. Steven Laraia (8:30 AM)

2. Stephen Goist (8:50 AM)

3. Sergio Munoz (9:10 AM)

4. Aria Cheregosha (9:30 AM)

5. Samuel Pang (9:50 AM)

6. Anqi Lv (10:10 AM)

BREAK – 10:30-10:50 AM

7. Yifeng Qiu (10:50 AM)

8. Molly Goldman (11:10 AM)

9. Leah Ferguson (11:30 AM)

10. Kevan Clarkston (11:50 AM)

11. Matthew Lipman (12:10 PM)

12. Diyang Mei (12:30 PM)

Come to Hatch Hall between 8:30 and 1:00 to hear them, or tune in here for the live broadcast over the web!

Watch this site for announcements about the finals (3-5 PM EST) and results (6:30 PM EST), which will also be live broadcast.

Wow, two of five days done already?! It has been so great to bask in the positive, collective, energizing viola-energy! Looking forward to three more days of this!!

I hope everyone reading this (all one…perhaps two…of you?) has had a chance to visit the exhibitors’ displays in Room 120 (off of the ESM Main Hall) and upstairs in Cominsky Promenade. The sheer variety of instruments, bows, chinrests, tailpieces, sheet music, and more is astounding!!! Very few other places and events offer a selection so catered to VIOLA-kind.

Here’s a list of all of the vendors:

Carriage House Violins / Reuning and Son Violins

Yesterday Service Sheet Music, Inc.

See you around tomorrow!

So, we in the IVC 2012 organizing committee have a running joke:

“How many violists does it take to … ?”

And, sometimes, it seems like almost anything can go in the blank!!

In this case, we plead viola-forgiveness for the following clarifications:

- Somehow, a large portion of Saturday’s program information was left out of the program booklet! Pick up a copy of the event schedule at the IVC 2012 Welcome Table in ESM’s Main Hall, or check it out here.
- Luis Magin is a VIOLIST, not a violinist (perish the thought!) as was printed in the IVC 2012 Program. His lecture-demonstration is this morning at 10 AM (May 31st) in Howard Hanson Hall.
- Hartmut Rohde will be playing the Sonata in E Major, Op. 19, by F. X. Mozart on his recital on Friday, not the B-flat Major Sonata.

Thank you for your understanding, let us know if you have any clarifications we should add, and enjoy the Congress! See you around!

Thanks to all for a GREAT first day at IVC 2012!!!

So many highlights…

- Eastman and Beijing Viola Choirs–joining together to fill the Kilbourn Hall stage (and adding some cello ringers for Brandenburg 6) at the Opening Ceremonies

- Baroque violist Annette Isserlis, with performing colleagues Christel Thielmann, Paul O’Dette, and Michael Unger, turning the clock back a few hundred years in a great recital and master class on the Bach Suites

- Viola superstars Paul Neubauer, James Dunham, and Charles Pikler demonstrating exhibitors’ instruments. The exhibitors are here for the rest of the week–go check them out in Room 120 (just off of the ESM Main Hall) and Cominsky Promenade (second floor)!

- Listening to the music of today at the Premieres Plus recital. Visiting composer Nicolas Bacri had a double feature today: Dimitri Murrath played his Sonata Variata, op. 70 at this recital, and Kim Kashkashian played his Folia, op. 30b at the evening Chamber Concerto concert.

- An all-star, only-at-a-viola-congress Chamber Concerto night–Wolfram Christ, conductor and solo viola, with soloists Atar Arad, Kim Kashkashian, Paul Neubauer, and Nokuthula Ngwenyama and the IVC 2012 Chamber Orchestra!

…and that’s just the first ten hours!

What are YOU most looking forward to throughout the rest of IVC 2012??

Greetings from IVC 2012 Headquarters–and welcome to the IVC 2012 Blog!

We will be updating the blog with updates and highlights from now through the end of the Congress.

Here’s the first bit of news…

Wednesday night’s concert–featuring FIVE solo violists in six pieces for viola and orchestra (program info) will be broadcast live from Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on WXXI, Rochester’s classical radio station!!

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime concert from anywhere in the world! Tune in to WXXI at 91.5 FM in the Rochester area, or go here to listen live over the internet.