A great opportunity for young musicians to make their mark is also an invitation to audiences. The 41st Irving M. Klein International String Competition finals will be held June 6–7, in the SF Conservatory of Music’s Concert Hall and are free to attend.
The Klein is open to string players anywhere in the world, ages 15 to 23. There were 150 applicants this year. Eight musicians have reached the semifinal stage, which begins at 10 a.m. on June 6 — free registration is required for attendance.
Winners from the semifinals will participate in the June 7 finals, which begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Performances on both days will be available for streaming on the Violin Channel.
The Klein semifinalists are:
Angela Yining Sun, cello, 21 (Canada). Attends New England Conservatory; studies with Lluís Claret.
Elliot Sloss, cello, 22 (Canada). Attends Curtis Institute of Music; studies with Peter Wiley, Gary Hoffman, Nick Canellakis, Yumi Kendall, and Christine Lee.
James Birch, violin, 19 (Australia). Attends the Juilliard School; studies with Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho.
Jones Lau, viola, 19 (Hong Kong). Attends the Juilliard School; studies with Samuel Rhodes.
Juyeon Diana Lee, violin, 22 (South Korea). Attends the Juilliard School; studies with Laurie Smukler.
Rachael Kim, violin, 21 (South Korea). Attends the Colburn Conservatory of Music; studies with Robert Lipsett.
Starla Breshears, cello, 18 (California). Attends the Colburn Academy; studies with Clive Greensmith.
Winning a place, but withdrawn from the competition:
Dylan Hamme, violin, 23 (New Jersey). Attends the Juilliard School; studies with Catherine Cho.
The Competition was created in memory of the late cellist Irving M. Klein, founding member of the Claremont String Quartet and father of founding Artistic Director Mitchell Sardou Klein. Klein co-hosts the event with the third prizewinner from the 2016 Competition, violinist Alina Kobialka.
Klein told SFCV:
“It is a constant joy to encounter some of the world's most remarkable young musical artists at an early stage of their careers and remain personally and professionally close to them as they take their places at the top of their profession over the years and decades.
“Hearing them play with such musicality and inspiration is deeply rewarding, and discovering their personal warmth and musical partnership is inspiring.
“The annual competition is always thrilling, as each new musical voice comes into focus over the weekend of the performances. This year's eight semifinalists are among the best ever. I look forward to hearing them.”
Winners of previous competitions include concertmasters and principal players in top American orchestras, famed soloists and chamber musicians, and teachers at conservatories. Among them: Jennifer Koh, Alban Gerhardt, Jennifer Frautschi, Robert deMaine, Tessa Lark, Zlatomir Fung, Lara St. John, Vadim Gluzman, Mark Kosower, Frank Huang, Joshua Roman, Robin Scott, Wyatt Underhill, and others.
The grand prize includes $5,000 cash, donated by Maria Shim, with performance contracts with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, Gualala Arts Chamber Series, Music in the Vineyards, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Buffalo Chamber Players, among others, and is valued at $18,000.
The second prize ($3,500) is given by Ruth Short in memory of Elaine H. Klein and includes a performance with the San José Chamber Orchestra, for a total value of $5,500. A third prize of $2,500 is given by Judith and David Anderson, in memory of Milton Preves. Cash prizes also go to every semifinalist.
The jury includes cello professors Richard Aaron and Christopher Costanza; music director Jory Fankuchen; violinist Jennifer Frautschi; composer Suzanne Sorkin (who wrote the compulsory new work for this year’s competition); music director Daniel Stewart; and SF Symphony assistant concertmaster Wyatt Underhill.
