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Armstrong finalist in Tchaikovsky Competition

 

Ten young musicians, either current or recent students, from New England Conservatory, have been invited to participate in the finals of the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition, June 14 to July 2, one of which is Sonoma’s own Nigel Armstrong on violin.

The six violinists, three cellists and one pianist will compete in their respective instrumental disciplines for a share of the $425,000 prize money and three years of concert appearances at a variety of high profile international venues. A total of 122 contestants— 27 violinists, 25 cellists, 30 pianists and 40 singers—were chosen from recorded applications by four panels of distinguished jurors.

Contestants with NEC ties are violinists Tessa Lark, Nancy Zhou, Yoo Jin Jang, JeHye Lee, Armstrong and Xiang “Angelo” Yu; cellists Narek Hakhnazaryan, Jacqueline Choi and David Eggert; and pianist Lukas Vondracek.

Competition events, which will take place both in Moscow (piano and cello) and St. Petersburg (violin and voice), will be streamed live via the Internet. Competition officials expect a total of 1,000,000 viewers, with between 200,000 and 300,000 viewers for the final round of the competition.

The instrumental competitors are required to prepare two recital programs (one of 50 minutes, the other of 60 minutes), a concerto for chamber orchestra, and two concerti for full orchestra as well as a new work composed for the competition. They will compete in three rounds, with the field of contestants narrowed for each round.

The awards ceremony will take place June 30 in Moscow followed by Gala Winners’ Concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg on July 1 and 2. For the first time in its history, the competition will collaborate with three distinguished artist management agencies—Intermusica, Opus 3 Artists and Moscow Philharmonic Society—to organize three-year concert engagements in Russia and abroad for the winners.

For more, or to watch the performers online visit www.tchaikovsky-competition.com. 

For more about Nigel Armstrong's musically driven life and career, see the SONOMA Magazine story here.