We’re following the contest! Jump to results and updates.
The 19th International Harp Contest in Israel kicks off Nov. 23 with an opening concert by Anais Gaudemard, First Prize winner of the 18th contest, held in 2012.The prestigious competition takes place every three years and showcases the world’s most elite harpists under the age of 35. For the first time, this year’s contest will take place in the city of Akko; former contests have been held in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The 19th contest features 25 competitors from around the world who will vie for cash prizes up to $8,000. The First Prize winner will also receive concert opportunities, a CD recording produced by Lyon & Healy, and a Style 23 Gold harp given by Lyon & Healy.
The contest’s four stages include solos from the standard harp repertoire, the specially-commissioned solo “Mizmor Shir,” by Menachem Wiesenberg, chamber music, and a final-stage performance of Ma’ayani’s Concerto Symphonique and Parish Alvars’ Concerto in E-flat Major performed with the Haifa Symphonic Orchestra.
Jury members for the 19th contest include Florence Sitruk (Artistic Director), Susann McDonald (President of the Jury), Daphne Boden, Jana Bouskova, Donatas Katkus, Kyo-Jin Lee, Marielle Nordmann, and Yulia Rovinsky.
For more information visit www.harpcontest-israel.org.il and the competition’s Facebook page. Harp Column will bring you updates throughout the competition.
Read our interview with 18th Contest winner Anaïs Gaudemard in the January-February 2013 issue of Harp Column. Read our interview with Judith Liber, the contest’s Artistic Director from 1983–2012 in our November-December 2009 issue.
