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Media Release
8 October 2007
And the winner is…..
Dizhou Zhao from China wins
Southern Highlands International Piano Competition
In the culmination of the exciting Southern Highlands International Piano Competition, Dizhou Zhao took out first place of $15,000 and the Best Performance of a Work from The Romantic period a prize worth $5,000 in the finals evening held at Clubbe Hall on Saturday night with his performance of Variations on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff with the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra.
Dizhou Zhao’s performance not only brought the house down, it was also executed so superbly that the judges could not award a second place due to his extremely high standard. Third place was awarded to Alexey Yemtsov, from Wahroonga in Sydney and dual citizen of Australia and the Ukraine. Alexey was also awarded the best Australian Pianist Award and the Audience Award, taking out a total prize value of $20,000. Fourth place of $2,000 was awarded to Arthur Ancelle of France.
According to the Artistic Director and one of the judges, Grant Foster his insistence on the competition being ‘International’ at its inception has been integral to its success in 2007.
“The audience’s elated response to the four competitor’s Concertos performed on Saturday night clearly reflected how well received an International competition of this standard is by music lovers in the Highlands and those who travelled from Sydney and other areas to enjoy the competition,” said Grant.
An internationally successful composer in his own right, Grant Foster’s involvement in the Southern Highlands International Piano Competition has helped the competition make its mark on the map.
“This is only the beginning of the many great competitions to come,” added Grant.
Due to concert pianist and one of the international judges, Mira Yevtich falling and breaking one of her ribs, Grant will be taking her place and performing his works War, Peace, Love Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra with the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 13th October at Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul. For tickets call the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music on 02 42281122.
The next Southern Highlands Piano Competition will be held in 2009.
TheSouthern Highlands International Piano Competition has been specifically established to provide a significant performance opportunity for qualified pianists to perform and associate with artists of first class caliber from around the world, and to bring to the Southern Highlands region a professional and memorable experience of classical piano performances.
The Southern Highlands International Piano Competition Incwas established in 2005 by a group of local professional and business people. The project is an initiative of the Southern Highlands Business Chamber which will continue to provide long term support. The Wingecarribee Shire Council, the local Government Authority, is also fully supportive. SHIPC is a not-for-profit organisation.
www.shipc.org.au
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Media enquiries – Vanessa Rodeghiero – 0414 991150
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