The International Harp Contest in Israel
The International Harp Contest in Israel ( International Harp Contest in Israel ) is a competition for harpists that takes place at irregular intervals (usually three years) in Israel. It is the oldest harp competition still held today; the 19th competition will take place in Tel Aviv in November 2015 .
history
The competition was launched in 1959 by Aharon Zvi Propes . On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the State of Israel, they were looking for an event that was unique and that would attract more visitors to Israel. At that time there was no international harp competition, so King David's instrument was chosen for this purpose. To make the first competition popular and successful, Propes visited harpists and musicians around the world. This enabled him to win well-known names such as Pierre Jamet , Marcel Grandjany , Carlos Salzedo and Nicanor Zabaleta for the jury.
The competition has been sponsored by the American harp manufacturer Lyon & Healy since 1959 . The winner of the competition will receive a Lyon & Healy Style 23 concert harp (later Lyon & Healy Style 23 Gold , list price $ 48,500). In addition, the “Aharon Zvi Propes Prize” for the best interpretation of an Israeli composition is awarded at each competition, which is endowed with 2000 dollars. The other awards in 2006 were $ 6,000 for second prize, $ 4,000 for third prize, and $ 1,000 for best interpretation of a contemporary piece. In addition, prizes are awarded for outstanding interpretations of individual pieces.
The most successful nation is France with four winners, followed by the USA with three successes. In 1976 a male participant was able to win for the first time; in 2006, Sivan Magen became the first Israeli musician to win.
The 17th edition took place in 2009 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the competition. Zubin Mehta chaired the jury and there was also a concert with previous award winners. The final was played with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Roberto Paternostro .
mode
Those who are not older than 35 years and who submit the necessary letters of recommendation from internationally recognized harpists and other musicians are allowed to take part in the competition. The competition is held in four rounds. A maximum of 36 participants take part in the first round. The repertoire to be performed is fixed and includes solo works. 18 participants can reach the second round, in which solo works are also to be performed. In the semi-finals, six participants are still playing for the finals. In this round, chamber music works or concerts with chamber ensembles are required. The three main prizes will be awarded in the final. A solo concert with orchestra will be played, and a short solo work of your choice can also be performed.
Award winners
- 1st competition 1959
- 1st prize: Susanna Mildonian , Belgium
- 2nd competition 1962
- 1st prize: Lynn Turner , USA
- 3rd competition 1965
- 1st prize: Martine Géliot , France
- 4th competition 1970
- 1st prize: Chantal Mathieu , France
- 5th competition 1973
- 1st prize: Nancy Allen , USA
- 6th competition 1976
- 1st prize: Ivan Ion Roncea , Romania
- 7th competition 1979
- 1st prize: Emily Mitchell , USA
- 8th competition 1982
- 1st prize: Alice Giles , Australia
- 9th competition 1985
- 1st prize Naoko Yoshino , Japan
- 10th competition 1988
- 1st prize Isabelle Moretti , France
- 11th competition 1992
- 1st prize Marie-Pierre Langlamet , France
- 12th competition 1994
- 1st prize: not awarded
- 13th competition 1998
- 1st prize: Gwyneth Wentink , Netherlands
- 2nd prize: Cristina Bianchi , Italy
- 3rd prize: Kyo-Jin Lee , Korea
- 14th competition 2001
- 1st prize: Letizia Belmondo , Italy
- 2nd prize: Jessica Li Zhou , China
- 3rd prize: Lavinia Meijer , Netherlands
- 15th competition 2003
- 1st prize: Varvara Ivanova , Russia
- 2nd prize: Julie Bunzel , USA
- 3rd prize: Albane Mahe , France
- Best interpretation of Toshi Ichiyanagi's Stilltime III : Etsuko Shoji , Japan
- Best interpretation of an Israeli composition: Julie Bunzel, USA
- Best interpretation of a contemporary piece: Varvara Ivanova, Russia
- Chamber music award for Maurice Ravel's Introduction and Allegro : Julie Bunzel, USA
- 16th competition 2006
- 1st prize: Sivan Magen , Israel
- 2nd prize: Cecile Maudire , France
- 3rd prize: Etsuko Chida , Japan
- Best interpretation of an Israeli composition: Sivan Magen, Israel
- Best interpretation of a contemporary piece: Cecile Maudire, France
- Best interpretation of Sergiu Natra's Commentaires Sentimentaux : Teresa Zimmermann , Germany
- Best interpretation of Henriette Reniés Ballade Fantastique : Sivan Magen, Israel
- 17th competition 2009
- 1st prize: not awarded
- 2nd prize: Ina Zdorovetchi , Moldova
- 3rd prize: Remy van Kesteren , Netherlands
- Best interpretation of an Israeli composition: Ina Zdorovetchi, Moldova
- Best interpretation of a contemporary piece: Remy van Kesteren, Netherlands
- Chamber music prize: Ina Zdorovetchi, Moldova
- Best interpretation of Henriette Reniés piece Symphonique en trois èpisodes : Emily Levin , USA
- 18th competition 2012
- 1st prize: Anais Gaudemard, France
- 2nd prize: Agne Keblyte, Lithuania
- 3rd Prize: Mai Fukui, Japan