Queen Elisabeth Competition: the finalists

May 12, 2012 at 10:39 PM

Ermir ABESHI
Andrey BARANOV
Marc BOUCHKOV
CHOOI Nikki
KIM Dami
NARITA Tatsuki
SHIN Hyun Su
Artiom SHISHKOV
Josef SPACEK
Esther YOO
TSENG Yu-Chien
Nancy ZHOU

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Go Nikki go!
Add oil, Yu-Chien! :)
GO JOSEF!!
I thought Kristi Gjezi was amazing too.
I also liked Kristi Gjezi. His Mozart was very cautious though. Maybe this is why they did not select him. Still, his playing seemed to me much more polished and refined than Baranov's.
I think Yu-Chien Tseng is amazing, and I also like Artiom Shishkov. Who are your favorites?
Kristi Gjezis Mozart was indeed a little cautious. But his recital was so amazing. And still the Mozart is flawless. But his bowing and therefore tone production is little speacial, so maybe thats why, but to me he was the best player technically in the second round. I also like his expressions when playing. He looks so stone cold but his tone is pure and he plays beautifully musical.

Its hard to say favorites. I think Esther Yoo, who took 3rd in Sibelius 2010 has matured and become even better. Artiom Shishkov was always a very musical and expressional player, if he manages all the technique difficulties, he would be one of the more of my taste finalists. Nancy zhuo is also still great, but her performance in Sibelius competition finale was too personal and individual for a competition. I think she will not take first place, but if she will, she totally deserves. Baranov to me is also a very expressional player who goes well with the audience. If he manages the technique in the important places he will not be the worst. Ermir Abeshi's recital was amazing and his playing is more under control, I liked it very much! Narita Tatsuki was also very solid... I mean, he was amazing. Nikki Chooi.. not for me. The others i didn't listen to yet. They are all great, and also all semi finalists were on such an high level, that everyone deserves a title. As we can see with Kristi Gjezi it is a matter of taste. He was absolutely flawless, best intonation I heard in the competition. Best left hand technique I saw a long time!

@ Simon
Great comments! I am really curious what is you opinion after you listen to Yu-Chien Tseng. He was also flawless in the recital. His Kissine Caprice was magical and his Mozart concerto not only perfectly in style but also beautifully shaped and full of interesting ideas.
What I said about Kristi's Mozart had to do with lack of personality. Maybe the jury felt he has to still mature. At such a competition, it seems flawless playing is not enough. I was, nevertheless, disappointing to see him go. His first round was also at the highest level. I saw him on the podium before Mozart. I hope he comes again next time.
What about Marc Bouchkov? For me, he is no Lorenzo Gatto. I didn't hear anything special in Marc's playing. Too many out of tune notes in Mozart did not help my impression.
I think the problem with competition is, they force you to play a certain style wich is common sence at the time the competition takes place. A different style, like Kristi Gjezis slow vibrato and interesting bow control is too adventurous for a competition. I also think the jury missed the portion of diva-performance in him. I personally love him for playing his way. Same as I love dArtiom Shishkovs playing 6 years ago in hannover competition, where I had the pleasure to hear him live. He certainly changed his style alittle in terms of expression. He scratches sometimes now, thats good for him and for the competition who wants artists with a broad colour range. Luckily he is still himself, but I somehow fear one could use his personal style while trying to play for the jury and their expectations.
Bouchkows playing to me sounds very good. But I think he also got the home match bonus. His tone is somehow thin compared to his facial expressions... but still, he is very good!! (haven't heard his mozart though, because of Mozart overload in my head)
Yu chien seng.. I heard him last week once but forgot his name. He is certainly great too. He also doesnt have this overkill sound, wich is something I like. I am talking about slower vibrato mostly. But also modesty in expression also visual. I think he is a interesting player, but still he hasnt got the most powerful sound but a very clean and sweet timbre, I like it much, but with big orchestra?!
I am happy that we will see and hear it this round. It is amazing to hear so many high level violin performance in two weeks! Does someone have the schedule of this week?! Thanks inn advance! I am very excited and will try to listen to the concerts as much as possible.

Edit: I just listen to some of Hyun Su Shins recital. Just for the beginning of chausson poeme she deserves the finals! Very serious musician. But the bow hold... terrible :D no seriously, how should I explain THAT to students? One can see there that bow technique is how you play and not how you hold your fingers on the bow. So all you double-jointed can relax ;)

I must say, after listening to all of Hyun Su Shins recital I think she could be a favorite. So amazing! Blew be away, the expression and the skill. Nothing pretentious.. äähm or am I spoiled by my testosterone? I am not sure...but she certainly made the jury happy too.. look at their faces after the recital!
@Simon

Her recital was amazing indeed. The Wieniawski made me smile too. Her lowest point in the semi finals - for me - was her second movement of the Mozart concerto. Actually, all three movements of the concerto had a rocky start. I felt even in Chausson that her vibrato tends sometimes to take the place of right hand expression and this was really visible in Mozart. I guess it depends what are her concerto and sonata for the final (hopefully no Beethoven concerto :D).

yes, maybe you are right. I started the Mozart of her but wasn't so impressed. But I am tired of these concertos somehow anyways. Still they are great music. But I thought it was me. Is there any schedule and program information for this week?
We need more musicians like Shishkov.
@Simon
There isn't anything scheduled for this week. The finals start next Monday. If you go on the cmireb.be website and click on "calendar" and then "finals" you can even see who is playing when. This week, don't forget, they are locked up to learn the commissioned piece.
I will never understand why aren't the first two Mozart concerto allowed. They are great music and not, in any way, easier than these battered three.
Yixi I like that you like him. In my opinion he deserves the win. There is a video on him on youtube playing the chaconne on street. I think he is a good guy ;)
Thanks Adrian I thought it would be this week! Cant wait for it!
If you are tired of Mozart concertos then my advice is don't follow violin competitions. LOL
Dear Paul,
That sounds rather harsh, even as a joke. I, too, wonder why do we have only the three concertos for all the competitions when there are two more as well written and demanding as these three. Why not also the Haydn C major concerto?
Anyway; do you have any favorites among the twelve finalists?

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