The sixth edition of the International Harp Competition in Szeged, Hungary, took place Nov. 29–Dec. 4 at the Reök Palace in Szeged. In the top division (for contestants 25 and under), Shamim Minoo of Iran won first prize, with an award of €2500. Zoé Buyck (France) took home second prize and €1000. Third prize went to Irina Pejoska (Serbia), along with €700. Heather Brooks (U.K.) was awarded the Special Prize from the City of Szeged. The jury for the top division included jury president Annie Lavoisier (Belgium), along with Mirjam Schröder (Austria), Svetlana Paramonova (Russia), Andrea Vigh (Hungary), and jazz pianist and composer Attila Blaho (Hungary).
Other prizewinners are:
19 and under division
First prize: Giedra Julija Tutkutė (Lithuania)
Second prize: Martin Sadílek (Czech Republic)
Third prize (tie): Silvia Capè (Italy) and Ligia Nowak (Poland)
First prize winner Giedra Julija Tutkutė also received the Sebők György Special Prize for the best performance of Kodály’s “Intermezzo” from Háry János, offered by Florence Sitruk.
The jury for this division included jury president Imogen Barford (U.K.), along with Salomé Mokdad (France), Milena Stanišić (Serbia), Deborah Sipkay (Hungary) and conductor and composer Dániel Dinyés (Hungary).
14 and under division
First prize: Chaewon Kim (Republic of Korea)
Second prize (tie): Linė Lipnickaitė (Lithuania) and Kornélia Harmath (Hungary)
Third prize (tie): Bei Lin Phang (Singapore), Amelie Jade Kapp (Austria), and Maryam Amro (Serbia)
Eva Maria Kochs (Germany) won the Sebők György Special Prize for the best performance of Kodály’s Children’s Dances, offered by Florence Sitruk. Valentina Ramos (U.S.) was awarded the Special Prize from Svetlana Paramonova.
The jury for this division included jury president Annie Lavoisier (Belgium), Mirjam Schröder (Austria), Svetlana Paramonova (Russia), Andrea Vigh (Hungary), and pianist Gábor Monostori (Hungary).
This year’s repertoire selections celebrated the 140th anniversary of Zoltán Kodály’s birth (1882) and the 110th anniversary of Alphonse Hasselmans’ death (1912). Founded by Natalia Gorbunova in 2007, the triennial competition is now led by Artistic Director Anastasia Razvalyaeva who notes, “Our competition aims to discover new talent, help all participants to discover new horizons, and stimulate the development of harp culture in Hungary.” For more information, visit the competition website.
