The Leopold Mozart Competition in Augusburg has been rocked by a Spanish contestant who refused to accept a speical prize and perform in the final concert because he was not selected as one of the three finalists.
Julen Zelaia was to have received a prize for the best interpretation of a commissioned work (“SOLEOS” by Elzbieta Sikora), but he decided this was small beer and left town.
The organisers say: Contrary to the competition rules accepted by all participants and despite a personal discussion, Zelaia was not willing to perform the commissioned work in the winners’ concert on June 8 and has already made his departure from Augsburg. The competition management very much regrets the decision. However, in the interest of a fair competition for all participants and out of respect for the jury and the composer, the current regulations make this ruling necessary.
In a fairly obscure competition, Julen has found a way to get attention.
An orchestra which has lived for years under fear of insolvency has just been given a new lease of life.
Press statement:
Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) has made a $50 million gift to the endowment of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The gift came from a donor-advised fund at SVCF and represents an expression of confidence in the artistic and organizational leadership of the Orchestra by individuals who have chosen to remain anonymous. Additionally, SVCF has awarded $5 million from the same donor-advised fund to support current and future Orchestra operations. The total grant of $55 million is the single largest gift in Philadelphia Orchestra history.
“This exemplary act of generosity is overwhelming,” said Richard B. Worley, chairman of the Board of Directors. “The impact of this gift will be felt for generations. I know it will also serve as an inspiration and invitation to others to strengthen the Orchestra for the future. The donors have my deepest respect and admiration. I could not be more grateful.”
“This profoundly meaningful gift is testament to the unique place of Yannick and The Philadelphia Orchestra on both the world stage and in the richly varied communities of Philadelphia,” said President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “This extraordinary act of support recognizes our readiness to write The Philadelphia Orchestra’s next chapter and sets us on a path to achieve artistic goals, create an expansive future for classical music, and further the place of the arts in an open and democratic society.”
“This is an amazing and deeply moving moment for me and for all of us in the Philadelphia Orchestra family,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “In all that we do, the musicians of the Orchestra and I seek to create joy through music. With this tremendous support, we look forward to sharing that joy widely and in new, groundbreaking ways in the communities of Philadelphia, across the country, and around the world. Words are simply not enough to express my heartfelt gratitude.”
Marie Antoinette might have considered the whole thing slightly over-the-top. We’re told 300 guests — including John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and HRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent — were treated to a Bach recital by the newlyweds, a seven-course meal, including a “transparency of lobster” served over dry ice and an 8-foot-tall wedding cake accompanied by two Dom Pérignon vintages.
Fireworks followed with a view from the famed Hall of Mirrors.
Slipped Disc hears that not all the guests were phonies.
At Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie last night, a phone went off during the Mahler Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Morton Feldman’s Madam Press died last week at 90.
Of all musical works in the canon, this must be the most susceptible to disruption.
The conductor, Teodor Currentzis, gave a shrug and carried on.
Placido Domingo, who made his Semper Oper debut last night in Nabucco, sang just the first act of the opera.
The audience was told he could not return after the interval as a result of flu.
The Leipzig baritone Markus Marquardt sang his role from the wings.
Domingo intends to try again on June 9 and 15.
The US violinist Hao Zhu, who was declared winner last night of the triennial Concours Musical International de Montréal, has got what it takes to impress a jury.
Zhu, 22, is a past winner of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition and, with the Viano String Quartet, of the 2018 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition.
In Montréal he also won the audience prize. He was the only male among six finalists.
Full results:
First prize (C$30,000): Hao Zhou, 22, USA
Second (C$15,000): Johanna Pichlmair, 29, Austria
Third: (C$10,000): Fumika Mohri, 25, Japan/Germany
The Fairfield Halls in Croydon reopen after refurbishment in September.
Judging by the season’s programming, there is hardly any orchestral music in what was once a cornerstone concert hall.
A ‘gala’ by the London Mozart Players and a few Christmassy shows from the Royal Philharmonic are just about it.
