Now a breather before the semi-final recitals

VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCES: Claudia Tarrant-Matthews from Wellington is one of the violinists who will compete in tomorrow’s semi-finals at the Gisborne War Memorial Theatre. She was also a semi-finalist in last year’s Gisborne International Music Competition. Pictures by Liam Clayton

AFTER listening to their first round performances at the Gisborne International Music Competition, manager Mark La Roche knew 2017 was going to be a “vintage year” for the annual competition.

“There are some super musicians in this year’s semi-final, whose first round performances were totally compelling. I was supposed to be working but just had to stop and listen from side of stage,” he said.

The group of talented musicians travelled from far and wide to be part of the Gisborne event, which is open to players of orchestral instruments aged between 16 and 25.

Competitors from New York, London, Sydney, Brisbane, Singapore, Manchester and Melbourne, as well as those from throughout New Zealand, were asked to submit a 45-55 minute balanced and contrasting programme. Competitors are notified of the works the jurors have selected for them to perform 45 minutes before recital.

The competition was to help develop New Zealand musicians by exposing them to what their international colleagues are doing, said Mr La Roche. It also had a strong community focus, with free entry to the public for the first rounds and semi-finals.

Some of the musicians performed for residents of Dunblane Resthome yesterday

Today the 43 competitors took a break from competing. Some went on a trip to feed the stingrays at Tatapouri, others were to visit Gisborne Girls’ High School to provide lessons on a variety of instruments including violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet and trumpet. There was a lunch-time concert at St Andrew’s church followed by a visit to Makauri School.

The other nine semi-finalists selected are Harnsol Kim, violin, Oliver Shermacher, clarinet, Raechel Suh, cello, Dale Vail, trombone, Yuuki Boutery-Ishido, cello, Reuben Chin, saxophone, Alexander McFarlane, viola, Hye In Kim, cello, and Caleb Wong, cello.