The Greenwich Trio Yoko Misumi, Japan, piano; Lana Trotovsek, Slovenia, violin; Stjepan Hauser, Croatia, cello, 2008
Lana Trotovsek and Stjepan Hauser of the Greenwich Trio have shared 1st Prize as soloists in the International Music Competition "Francesco Forgione" in Verbania, Italy. In addition, they each won 1st Prize in two different categories in the Competition – Recital and Soloist – both achieving 100 points.
In November, the Trio won 1st Prize in the International Chamber Music Competition "Carlo Mosso", also in Italy. They were awarded 100 points out of 100 to become the overall competition winners. Special prizes were also awarded to the Trio, including one for achieving the maximum score. Lana and Stjepan played on new instruments made by Cornelissen, which were given to them as gifts by the American cellist Bernard Greenhouse during their trip to the USA in early November.
November 2008
Diego Carneiro Brazil, cello, 2008
Diego was awarded funding towards the costs of purchasing a new cello. He writes, I would like to thank you again for the award. It has been very difficult for me to raise the money, and without your help I wouldn't have been able to purchase the instrument. This is the first time in my life that I finally have a decent cello for my career. The instrument took over a year to make; it is now in my hands and I have given my first performance with it. I have no doubt that this is the right instrument for me. It is a copy of the Montagnana model, and it has a deep and projecting sound, which carries powerfully through the hall. The material used for its construction is very refined - beautiful colour, shapes, and well polished, with very well balanced timbres in all four strings. I must play it more and more so the sound gets more mature, and I am sure it will be soon. Therefore, I consider this is another stage of my life, which now I dig deeper into quality and beauty... I am very happy and eternally grateful for the kindness of the Solti Foundation for helping and trusting me. I am sure I will make the best of that opportunity and I will always look forward to having future links with this marvelous Foundation.
Bérengère Mauduit France, mezzo-soprano, 2008
Bérengère was given assistance to enable her to participate in the final round of the Torneo Internazionale di Musica in Verona in the summer of 2008, where she won second prize in the category singing. She writes to tell us that as a result of this, she was invited to sing in concerts in Italy during the 2008/9 season, and was able to make important contacts which should bring more work in Italy in the future. Bérengère writes, "I was very pleased with the result of my trip to Verona and the opportunities that it has created for me in Italy. In general I notice that when I am offered an opportunity to perform I usually succeed in getting more work in the future. I am very grateful for the interest and trust that the Solti Foundation has placed in me, as well for the support it has provided. It was much appreciated, especially as it arrived at a time of financial hardship.
Elizabeth Powell Great Britain, soprano 2008
Elizabeth was given assistance with her living costs whilst attending the Royal Academy of Music's Opera Course in London. She writes, Thank you for your support for my vocal studies. Without your help, I would not have been able to take up my place on a course that I have been looking forward to attending for some time. With this fantastic opportunity, I have already had many chances to perform and work closely with the fabulous faculty staff on all areas of development towards my final goal of becoming a professional opera singer.
Evis Sammoutis Cyprus, composition, 2008
Evis writes, Being a Composer in Residence at the Visby International Centre for Composers fulfilled all my artistic and professional expectations The Residency not only gave me the opportunity to have uninterrupted composition time, but also the chance to make new contacts and to become familiar with the work of several other composers by listening to and analysing their work. Evis describes how the inspiration he gained from working in the state-of-the art recording and notation studios and learning about new music technology software proved invaluable to the composition of four new works at Visby. I would like to thank the Solti Foundation once again for your generous contribution, without which the creation of these four new works would not have been possible.
October 2008
Martina Filjak Croatia, piano
The past few months have brought me lots of happiness and success”, writes 2008 award winner Martina Filjak. “After winning first prize at the 54th Maria Canals competition in Barcelona (www.mariacanals.org), I have a series of exciting performances ahead of me, as well as a debut CD for the Naxos label next year. This summer I performed in festivals in Passau, New York, Dubrovnik, Berlin and Barcelona, and was awarded the 'Orlando' prize for the best performance at the Dubrovnik International Summer Festival. The concert season 2008/2009 will bring me to Italy, Germany, Spain, France, South Korea and China. Recently, I was selected among only six students to participate in courses at the International Piano Academy Lake Como (www.comopianoacademy.com). The classes start in October 2008, with tuition by internationally renowned pianists such as Leon Fleischer, Dimitri Bashkirov, and Martha Argerich. Thanks to the support of the Solti Foundation, all my news and information about my concert dates and repertoire are now available on my new website www.martinafiljak.com.
Giovanna Grassi Italy, horn
In 2007, Italian horn player Giovanna Grassi was awarded funding towards the costs of buying a second-hand Steve Lewis horn. In a recent letter to the Foundation, Giovanna writes (in her own words): “Good morning Dear Solti Foundation. I am Giovanna Grassi from Italy, I study once a year with Dale Clevenger (the solo horn of Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and one year ago he indicated me your very important Foundation who help musicians to realise their dreams, their projects... so I am writing to thank you for the beautiful instrument you helped me to buy (2nd hand Steve Lewis double horn made in Chicago). Thank you, thank you, thank you... I can say that's the most important present I received in my life!! That instrument is very hard to play, it needs more air, more support and more concentration, but can help a lot when and if I am practicing 100% and when my horn conditions are on the TOP! On the contrary, my Lewis horn doesn't help and gives me troubles when I am not concentrating enough (sometimes for example I had a difficult morning, or I am worried) and that instrument seams to say: “Don't think about other things... when you play, you have to be 100% on me”!! Anyway, I am playing it from July 2007 and some colleagues told me that I've got a beautiful sound and a great way of playing ... Next year there will be the masterclass of Mr Clevenger in Italy, I will talk to him, he will listen to my progress and indicate me more specific details to play my Lewis horn. I will be in touch with you pretty soon. Thank you for your gentle attention and thank you for the beautiful instrument. Giovanna
Sooyun Kim USA, flute, 2007
Sooyun, who received a grant in 2007 to attend auditions and competitions, writes to say, “I'd like to thank you for giving me such an honour to receive a grant from the Solti Foundation. It gave me great confidence and a tremendous feeling that you are people who believe in what I do! My year since the award has been great. I have become a new member of the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center's CMS TWO program (US), where I will start my three-year residency in 2009. I have accomplished so much, and it all started with your generous support!” A busy year of concerts, recitals and competitions for Sooyun also included coaching sessions in Baroque dance to broaden her views on the relationship between music and other art forms.
Daniela Lehner Austria, mezzo-soprano, 2007
In 2007 Daniela was awarded funding towards extra singing lessons and to help with the costs of making a promotional recording, which she needed to apply to the Wigmore Hall Song Competition (London) and to the BBC's Young Generation Artists programme. In 2008 she made her Covent Garden debut, singing the role of Hermia in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. She was also a winner of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award (www.bbtrust.com), made her debut performance at the Wigmore Hall, and was invited to become one of the BBC's New Generation Artists (www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/newgenerationartists). Daniela wrote recently, “I am very lucky to have organisations like yours to support me... I don't know what I would have done without your help. Thank you!
Anna Stokes Great Britain, flute, 2006
Anna writes, “I just thought you would like to know that following my award from The Solti Foundation to attend the Sir James Galway Masterclass 2006 in Interlaken, many things have come from this. In May 2007, I was selected to perform in Sir James's one-day Masterclass at Cadogan Hall, London, and I was also selected for his International Masterclasses in Weggis, Lucerne, in 2007 and 2008. Since this time, both Sir James and Lady Jeanne have been extremely supportive of me and keep in regular contact. They are always there to give me advice on musical matters and this has been a great link for me to have. All of this came from having been selected for a Solti Foundation award in 2006. It has been a busy year of performing, and I will always be grateful to the Solti Foundation for giving me this opportunity to study with Sir James. Visit Anna's website at www.annastokes.com.
Libor Novacek Czech Republic, piano, 2005
Libor informs us of the release of his latest CD on the Landor Records label. More information and reviews of the CD, which features works by Brahms, may be found at his website www.libornovacek.com. Libor, who is from the Czech Republic, received an award from the Solti Foundation in 2005 to contribute to the costs of extra piano lessons and for travel to international competitions and masterclasses.
Phillip Neil Martin Great Britain, composition, 2004
In 2004, the young composer Phillip Neil Martin was awarded funding to help purchase a laptop computer and scoring/notation software. Phillip was recently commissioned to write the music for Adam Rapp's play “Nocturne” at the Almeida Theatre in London. He has also served as Composer in Residence for the London College of Fashion, a role that included writing music for London Fashion Week. Information about his other projects and compositions may be found at www.phillipneilmartin.com.
Yevgeny Sudbin Russia/Germany, piano, 2004
In July 2008, Yevgeny made his debut performance at the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He performed Rachmaninov's 1st Piano Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier. For more information about Yevgeny's career and recordings, see his website at www.yevgenysudbin.com. The Solti Foundation awarded a grant to Yevgeny in 2004 to contribute to the cost of attending masterclasses at the International Piano Academy Lake Como, and also to contribute to the costs of attending competitions and auditions.