The seventh edition of the International Harp Competition in Szeged, Hungary, took place Nov. 19–23 at the Reök Palace in Szeged. 57 young harp players participated, representing 17 countries (England, Belgium, Czech Republic, South Korea, France, Ireland, China, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Singapore, Turkey, and Ukraine).
In the top division (for contestants 25 and under), Letizia Lazzerini of Italy won first prize, with an award of €2500. Heather Brooks (United Kingdom) took home second prize and €1000. Pauline Elkaim (France) received third prize, along with €700. Gao Yizhu (China) and Martin Sadilek (Czech Republic) tied for the Special Prize from the Fondazione Gualtiero Marchesi. The jury for the top division included jury president Sivan Magen (Israel), along with fellow harpists Simona Marchesi (Italy), Anne-Sophie Bertrand (France), and Andrea Vigh (Hungary), and composer and conductor László Tihanyi (Hungary).
Other prizewinners are:
19 and under division
First prize: Valentine Correani (France)
Second prize: Kalina Nowaczek (Poland)
Third prize (tie): Naomi Drew (United Kingdom) and András István Horváth (Hungary)
Second prize winner Kalina Nowaczek also received the Sebők György Special Prize for the best performance of Márton Levente Horváth’s “Versets for an Imaginary Vesper,” offered by Florence Sitruk.
The jury for this division included jury president Sophie Hallynck (Belgium), along with fellow harpists Melinda Felletár (Hungary), Lenka Petrović (Serbia), and Constance Luzzati (France), and composer Balázs Horváth (Hungary).
14 and under division
First prize: Evelin Greblo (Slovenia)
Second prize: Pei Xi Saoirse Pu (Ireland)
Third prize (tie): Dan Kim (Korea) and Barbora Sedlonova (Czech Republic)
Bíró Boglárka (Hungary) and Lili Zsófia Dobrocsi (Hungary) tied for the Sebők György Special Prize for the best performance of Ákos Zarándy’s “Leaves,” offered by Florence Sitruk.
The jury for this division was led by jury president Sivan Magen and was the same as that of the 25 and under division.
This year’s repertoire selections celebrated the 150th anniversary of the births of Henriette Renié and Maurice Ravel (both born in 1875), and the 50th anniversary of Marcel Grandjany’s death (1975). Founded by Natalia Gorbunova in 2007, the triennial competition is now led by Artistic Director Anastasia Razvalyaeva.
