Symphony Australia/ABC Young Performers Finalists Announced

Symphony Australia and the ABC have announced the 12 Finalists in the 2015 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, to be held in Hobart 29 October – 7 November. 

 They are:

Aaron Liu, 22 (Piano – QLD,  Christopher Cartlidge, 26 (Viola – VIC), Doretta Balkizas, 24 (Violin – VIC), Ennes Mehmedbasic, 20 (Oboe –  SW), Kiran Phatak, 25 (Flute – WA), Lily Higson-Spence, 16 (Violin – QLD), Lloyd Van’t Hoff, 24 (Clarinet – QLD) Mee Na Lojewski, 28 (Cello –  IC) Peter de Jager, 25 (Piano – VIC), Rachel Siu, 17 (Cello – NSW), Vatche Jambazian, 27 (Piano – NSW) and Zoe Freisberg, 22 (Violin – VIC)

Three Grand Finalists will be selected from this group and they will perform their nominated concerto with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at Federation Concert Hall in Hobart, conducted by Johannes Fritzsch. 

Now in its 71^st year, the Awards offer unprecedented prizes and performance opportunities for some of Australia’s most talented young classical musicians. Past winner include pianist Roger Woodward, baritone Jonathan Summers, pianist Ian Munro, percussionist Claire Edwardes, pianist Simon Tedeschi, saxophonist Nicholas Russionello and violinists Ji Won Kim and Grace Clifford. 

This year the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year wins $25,000, the two Concerto Finalists win $10,000 each and $6000 is awarded to each of the following categories: People’s Choice, Best Chamber Music Performance, Best Recital, Best Performance of an Australian work and the Triffitt Prize, a new prize thanks to a generous bequest from Dr Gregory Byron Triffitt.

The winner also receives performance opportunities with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the ABC Sir Charles Moses Young Performer’s Trophy, multiple copies of a professionally recorded and produced CD, media training and photo shoot and a feature interview in  Limelight  magazine.

The contenders for the award will perform in a ‘festival-type’ format of 7 concerts over 10 days in three rounds – solo recital, chamber and concerto rounds. Symphony Australia has responded to audience demand to be able to hear these fine young players, and to have the opportunity to cast their own vote on the outcomes. Kate Lidbetter, CEO of Symphony Australia explains the structure of the compeition saying “Symphony Australia and the ABC changed the format of the competition three years ago to include solo recital, chamber music and concerto performance. What we’re seeing in our young musicians is outstanding performance in these three areas – high technical proficiency, an understanding of the repertoire and an appreciation of musical style.” 

Live concerts and broadcasts:

Thursday 29 October                   Recital concerts 1 & 2 (Hobart Town Hall) 

Friday 30 October                   Recital concerts 3 & 4 (Hobart Town Hall)

Tuesday 3 November                  Chamber concerts 1 & 2 (Hobart Town Hall) 

Saturday 7 November                 General and Performance (Federation Concert Hall)