Tonight in Keller Hall at the University of New Mexico, 24 year old Ayane Kozasa and fellow finalists Elias Goldstein and Vicki Powell appeared during the Thirteenth Primrose International Viola Competition Final Round. Over the course of the evening two Stamitz Concerti in D major and one Hoffmeister concerto were performed with the New Mexico Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Gabriel Gordon.

Following the afternoon performances the audience eagerly awaited results joined by viewers watching live online from around the world.

Kozasa was overwhelmed by her win and tearfully accepted her award. First Prize includes $5,000 USD, use of a viola made by Spanish master luthier Jardon Rico, a gold-mounted Arcos Brasil bow, and select concert appearances in the United States and Europe.

Second Prize of $3,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 28 year old Elias Goldstein of the United States and Norway; Third Prize of $1,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 22 year old Vicki Powell of the United States. The Askim Prize prize for a Semi-Finalist who had the best performance of Peter Askim’s composition Inner Voices, a piece specially commissioned for the Competition, was won by First Prize Winner Ayane Kozasa, as was the Mozart Award for best chamber music performance. The Bach Prize, supported by Linnet Press Editions, was awarded to Yi Fei Deng of China and Wolfram Hauser of Germany. The Primrose Prize for an outstanding performance of a Primrose transcription was awarded to Bogdan Banu of Romania and Da Kyung Kwak of South Korea. The Sonata Prize for an outstanding performance of a sonata was awarded to Third Prize winner Vicki Powell of the United States.

Prizes for the best performance of the 20th Century Concerto were awarded to Adrien La Marca of France and Daniel Hanul Lee of Canada. The Director’s Award chosen by Nokuthula Ngwenyama was awarded to Second Prize winner Elias Goldstein and 20th Century Concerto prize winner Adrien La Marca. Lauriane David of France received the Tone Award. Bach prize winner Yi Fei Deng of China, Daniel Getz of the United States, Wenting Kang of China, Daniel Palmizio of Italy, Cong Wu of China, and Sang Hyun Yong of South Korea received Robertson Prizes. Matthew Lipman of the United States and Da Kyung Kwak of South Korea were awarded honorable mentions.

The 2011 Competition jury was internationally representative and included Karin Brown of the United States, Che-Yen Chen of Taiwan, Kirsten Docter of the United States, Wing Ho of China, Luis Magin of Spain, Karen Ritscher of the United States, Yizhak Schotten of Israel, Barbara Westphal of Germany, and Juliet White-Smith of the United States.

Leading up to the finals was a week of intense competition for 29 quarterfinalists representing 13 countries during which each competitor received an instant scoring. This method of scoring, supported by the Kyogen Content Management System (CMS), was a first amongst international competitions and enabled live results with added transparency.

Quarterfinal Rounds were held May 31st and June 1st, during which competitors were required to perform the first movement of their 20th century concerto, selections of Bach, and a Primrose transcription. Upon completion of those rounds the top eight competitors passed on to the Semi-Final Round. During the Semifinals competitors were required to perform Peter Askim’s Inner Voices, a second Primrose transcription, a sonata, the first movement of the Mozart Divertimento with violinist Andy Simionescu and cellist James Holland, and a selection of Bach. From this round, the jury chose the three finalists. All rounds and scoring were open to the public and broadcast in high definition live over the internet. Over 12,000 unique visitors viewed the competition from 62 countries on 6 continents during the week.

The triennial Primrose International Viola Competition aims to recognize and showcase young musicians who have achieved world class excellence through intensive hard work and unusual talent. Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year. The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers of the great virtuoso, has sponsored the competition since 1986. Over the last 30 years it has established an impeccable track record for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its integrity. Past-winners are currently engaged in the highest levels of professional artistic careers.

Albuquerque, NM - The Primrose International Viola Competition (PIVC) takes place May 30 – June 5, 2011 in the Recital Hall of Robertson & Sons Violins and at the University of New Mexico.

One of the most renowned string instrument competitions in the world, the PIVC features the world's best young violists up to age 29. The 13th Competition received a record number of entries this year - up nineteen percent from 2008. Thirty invited quarterfinalists represent the countries of Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. The 2011 Competition awards over $30,000 USD in cash and prizes, including a viola by Spanish master luthier Jardón Rico and select engagements in the United States and Europe. The Competition offers the Albuquerque area one week of exceptional international competition, exquisite music and an exhilarating finish. All rounds are open to the public, and audiences can expect to hear a broad survey of the viola repertoire.

Featured as this year’s “Fact to Watch” by the Los Angeles Times, 1993 Competition First Place winner Nokuthula Ngwenyama serves as current director of the Primrose International Viola Competition. Returning to the Competition as jurors are past laureates Karin Brown (Third Place, 1997) and Kirsten Docter (First Place, 1991) of the United States and Che-Yen Chen (First Place, 2003) of Taiwan. Wing Ho of China, Luis Magín of Spain, Yizhak Schotten of Israel, and Barbara Westphal of Germany join the jury for the first time. Karen Ritscher and Juliet White-Smith of the United States return having served as jurors in 1997 and 2001 respectively.
The Semi-Final recital round includes the world premiere of Inner Voices by American composer Peter Askim in addition to a first ever chamber music component. For the classical concerto round the New Mexico Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Gabriel Gordon joins the finalists. The PIVC is proud to continue its trailblazing online tradition by providing live streaming video for all rounds.

There are many symposiums open to the public as part of the Primrose Festival, concurrently held May 30 through June 5, 2011. The Festival serves to capture the non-competitive and educational aspects of the week. Participants can expect to attend a wide range of lectures, solo and chamber music masterclasses, and recitals, including a signature performance by last PIVC winner Dimitri Murrath. Opportunities are made available to perform before audiences, to measure one's musical progress against the standards of an international jury and the artistry of other talented players, and to enjoy career seminars.

Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year. The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers, has sponsored the competition since 1986. The Competition continues to function as an inspiration to young artists. Over the last thirty-two years it has attracted distinguished jurors and talented applicants worldwide. The Competition has an international reputation for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its artistic and professional integrity. Its laureates occupy principle seats of major symphony orchestras, act as professors in major centers of higher education, and have achieved success as international soloists.

Opening ceremonies and the quarterfinalists' drawing of lots are held Monday, May 30 at 5 PM. Competition performance rounds begin Tuesday, May 31 at 9:30 AM.

For our complete schedule and more information contact the Competition by e-mail at info@avsnationaloffice, or visit our website at www.primrosecompetition.org.

Fine performers submitted recordings for this preliminary round, and all recordings were auditioned anonymously by number. It was a real challenge to choose the quarterfinalists from so many fine performances. The 86 applicants represented the countries of Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russian, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. Congratulations to all for your hard work and wonderful performances!

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After beginning the new year with the Orchestre de Paris and Paavo Järvi (Berlioz' Harold in Italy), Antoine Tamestit (First Place, 2001) appears at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice in March for a Recital, at the Cologne Philharmonie in May for the Bartok Concerto, at Tokyo's Suntory Hall also in May with the New Japan Philharmonic, at New York's Lincoln Center in August for the opening of the Mostly Mozart Festival, and finally in a European tour with the Wiener Philharmoniker in September.

In the studio, he is preparing to record Harold in Italy with Marc Minkowski, as well as the String Trios of Beethoven with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Chrsitian Poltera.

Nokuthula Ngwenyama (First Place, 1993) has been a face to watch for a while: She brought her opulent tone to the viola solos in Berlioz's "Harold in Italy" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic back in 2004. But maybe this Californian (of Zimbabwean and Japanese heritage), who also holds an advanced degree in theology from Harvard, has other priorities besides rushing her career. Her versatility in various kinds of music -- be it Bach, jazz or Che: A Musical Biography for viola and guitar by Spanish composer Miguel Corella -- adds to the difficulty in finding a pigeonhole for her.

No matter, Ngwenyama has lately begun to attract the right kind of attention. She's already an attraction in Japan. Last year she released an outstanding recording of viola sonatas by neglected 19th century Russian composer Anton Rubinstein. - Mark Swed

Jennifer Stumm, First Place 2005, is featured in interview "Voices of Change" in the Winter 2011 edition of Symphony Magazine.

First prize winner at the 2008 Primrose International Viola
Competition, Belgian violist Dimitri Murrath has had his debut
recitals in Jordan Hall (Boston), Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and
Royal Festival Hall (London), and Palais des Beaux Arts
(Brussels). Born in Brussels in 1982, Dimitri began his musical
education at the Yehudi Menuhin School studying with Natalia
Boyarsky; he graduated last year with an Artist Diploma from the
New England Conservatory as a student of Kim Kashkashian.
CenterStage is among the halls sponsoring the Primrose
Competition Prize engagements…don’t miss this rising star!

Dimitri Murrath of Belgium wins the 2008 Primrose International Viola Competition.

Yesterday night in the Smith Music Theatre of Arizona State University’s Herberger College of the Arts, 26 year old Dimitry Murrath and fellow finalists Emily Deans, Lambert Jun-Yuan Chen, Wei-Ting Kuo, Molly Carr, and Barbara Buntrock appeared during the Eleventh Primrose International Viola Competition Final Round. Over the course of the evening five Bartok concerti and one Walton concerto were performed.

As evening turned into morning the audience eagerly awaited results joined by listeners streaming live online from around the world.

Murrath was overwhelmed by his win. “This is an unbelievable moment,” he said. First Prize includes $5,000 USD, a viola made by Italian master luthier Carlo Testoni, a gold-mounted Arcos Brasil bow, and select concert appearances in the United States and Europe.

Second Prize of $3,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 24 year old Emily Deans of the United States; Third Prize of $1,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 21 year old Molly Carr of the United States. The Liben Music prize for a Semi-Finalist who had the best performance of Scott Slapin’s composition Recitative for Solo Viola, a piece specially commissioned for the Competition, was won by First Prize Winner Dimitri Murrath. The Linnet Music Prize for an outstanding performance of a Bach work was awarded to Barbara Buntrock of Germany. The Primrose Prize for an outstanding performance of a Primrose transcription was awarded to YiYin Li of China and Second Prize winner Emily Deans. The Sonata Prize for an outstanding performance of a sonata was awarded to Victor de Almeida of the United States and First Prize winner Dimitri Murrath.

The 2008 Competition jury, chaired by former Competition director Claudine Bigelow, was internationally representative and included Amir Shiff of Israel, Bruno Pasquier of France, Steven Tenenbom of the United States, Eugene Sarbu of Romania, and Ensik Choi of Korea. Carol Rodland of the United States returned having served as juror for the semi-final and final rounds in 2005.

Leading up to the finals was a week of intense competition for 70 competitors representing 18 countries. Live Preliminary Rounds were held June 2nd and 3rd, during which competitors were required to perform the first movement of their chosen concerto and a Primrose transcription. At the completion of those rounds the jury selected seventeen competitors to go through to the Recital Round. During the Recital Round competitors were required to perform Scott Slapin’s Recitative for Solo Viola, a second Primrose transcription, a sonata, and a selection of Bach. From this round, the jury chose the six finalists. All rounds were streamed live online.

The triennial Primrose International Viola Competition aims to recognize and showcase young musicians who have achieved world class excellence through intensive hard work and unusual talent. Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year. The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers of the great virtuoso, has sponsored the competition since 1986. Over the last 30 years it has established an impeccable track record for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its integrity. Past-winners are currently engaged in the highest levels of professional artistic careers.