SHANGHAI, Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition (SISIVC) drew to a close on September 2nd. After three weeks of intense and innovative competition, Mayu Kishima of Japan won the top prize with 100,000 USD monetary award -- the highest of any international music competition. Sergei Dogadin of Russia, Sirena Huang of USA, Stefan Tarara of Germany, Richard Lin of USA, and Ming Liu of China came in second to sixth respectively. Ji Won Song of Korea won the "Best Chinese Work Performance -- CPIC Award" for his poignant interpretation of the violin concerto "The Butterfly Lovers" by Chinese composers He Zhanhao and Chen Gang.
China's Gansu Congregation High School Principal Wu Taixiang and Vice Principal Du Zhengquan, as well as Negin Khpalwak of Afghanistan, won the "Isaac Stern Human Spirit Award" awarded in recognition to individuals - in any field and from any part of the world - deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the understanding of humanity through the medium of music.
The challenging SISIVC competition requirements generated a lot of attention in the music world, as all contestants were required to perform two Paganini caprices, solo violin sonatas by Ysaye and Bach, and a Mozart's violin sonata during quarter-finals; a piano trio, a Chinese work, a sonata, and a Mozart concerto with chamber orchestra (with original improvisation for cadenza) during semi-finals; one concerto and one virtuoso repertoire during finals. These requirements meant contestants needed to prepare more than 4 hours of material -- rare in similar international competitions.
Such rigorous requirements, however, helped evaluate contestants in comprehensive ways, showcasing not only their techniques but also their creativity in interpreting works of diverse styles.
Playing "The Butterfly Lovers", the compulsory Chinese repertoire containing Chinese opera elements, undoubtedly seemed daunting for overseas contestants. Requiring the Chinese composition performance propelled overseas contestants to proactively study Chinese culture and proved an effective way to internationally share Chinese culture. "Best Chinese Work Performance -- CPIC Award" recipient Ji Won Song of Korea revealed that she had immersed herself in Chinese opera while preparing for the piece.
In homage to Maestro Isaac Stern's outstanding contribution to the world through music, SISIVC set up a unique "Isaac Stern Human Spirit Award" to recognize individuals around the world who contributed to humanity through music. This year, winners were jointly selected by SISIVC organizing committee chair Long Yu, guest jury member Yo-Yo Ma, and the Stern family. Shira Stern, daughter of Isaac Stern, presented the award to the winners with a 10,000 USD prize money.
Long Yu commented, "rarely does any other international music competition give out an award unrelated to musical performance, but SISIVC set up this particular award as an encouragement to those who might not have pursued a professional music career but nevertheless contributed greatly to the field in their quiet, heroic ways. We set up this award to unearth more stories about music educators or supporters, who made contribution outside the limelight."
SISIVC not only offered a chance for contestants to compete musically and artistically, but also provided a platform for discovering talent. Organizer Shanghai Symphony Orchestra made plans to invite winners to play in concerts, while China Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra promised to provide engagement contract for quality contestants. In addition, representatives from several renowned music agencies flew in to watch the performances of 6 finalists who triumphed in previous rounds. For some of them, a promising international career awaits!
