2009 Competition Results

Results

First prize

Lydia Griffiths (19), oboe, from Hereford — studying at Guildhall School of Music.

Accompanist: Steve Dunachie

Martinu: Oboe Concerto

Marcello: Oboe Concerto (2nd & 3rd movements)

Second Prize

Andrew McDade (18), tuba, from Gloucester — studying at studying in Malvern and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Accompanist: Mike Haynes

Senaillé: Introduction & Allegro spiritoso

Vaughan-Willliams: Tuba Concerto (2nd movement)

Third Prize

Rebecca Eldridge (20), bassoon, from Redditch — studying at Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Accompanist: Penny Vere

Pierné: Solo de concert

Rachmaninov: Vocalise

Finalists

• Georgia Francis, soprano.
• Natalie Halliday, cello.

Report

There is a mystical relationship between performer and audience" so said chief adjudicator, Richard Laing, in his summing up at the end of an amazing day's music making. "...some achieve this better than others, though" he noted, but went on to confirm that we had heard a wonderful variety and contrast of pieces from all the performers. This year there were readings of several less well-known composers: Pierné, Senaillé, Ellerby, and Villiers Stanford to mention a few; together with a wide range of musical styles from Telemann to Kenny Baker via Widor, Gershwin, Rachmaninov and Martinu.

A strong showing in the audience added greatly to the atmosphere, along with the competition being conducted in the style of a recital. There was definitely a buzz in the air towards the end as many listeners were trying to second-guess the adjudicators.

In the beautiful surroundings, but boomy acoustic, of St Edmunds Hall, the first round saw some memorable performances including a dreamy Cantilena by Michael Conway Baker for trumpet played by Beth Lloyd; a silky allegro malinconico by Poulenc on flute by Ashley Walls; and from soprano Georgia Francis, a suitably perky Mozart aria: Una donna a quindici anni (A girl fifteen years of age) showing great stage presence.

Anticipation was the name of the game as the finalists were announced. Through to the second round were contestants: cellist Natalie Halliday who had played one of the two versions of Rachmaninov's Vocalise heard during the day; oboist Lydia Griffiths, a finalist from 2008; eighteen year-old Andrew McDade on tuba, who had played a violin-virtuoso piece to stunning effect; Rebecca Eldridge, bassoon, another finalist from 2008; and previously-mentioned Georgia Francis, soprano. Each of the five players offering something new in their final round.

As is traditional at this competition - now in its fifteenth year - the winner from the previous competition gives a recital whilst the adjudicators make their deliberations. This year the adjudicators were John Gough and Neil Nicholls, both players from Chandos Symphony Orchestra, chaired by guest conductor Richard Laing. Recitalist Caroline Pether (violin) winner of the 2008 competition, accompanied by Leanne Cody, gave a faultless reading of two movements of the Brahms Sonata no 3 for Violin, followed by the whirlwind virtuosity contained (just!) in the Wieniawski Scherzo-Tarantelle. Caroline's performance was commended again after two returns to the stage, by Richard Laing in his summing up. Caroline will be appearing next season to perform a concerto with Chandos Symphony Orchestra.

And so to the results: in third place, bassoonist Rebecca Eldridge with a performance of Telemann's Sonata in F minor and Fauré's Pièce collected £100 prize from the English Speaking Union chairperson, Sonia Chance; second place was awarded to tuba player, Andrew McDade, from Malvern, following a performance of Rodney Newton's Capriccio, and Martin Ellerby's Tuba Concerto - the £300 prize being presented on behalf of the Mike Simpson Memorial Fund by Orchestra Manager, Roger Clift; and finally, the winner was Lydia Griffiths, on oboe, rewarded for a finely wrought account of the first movement of the Marcello Oboe Concerto, the fiendish Britten Temporal Variations and a lively piece by Madeleine Dring, Italian Dance. Nineteen year-old Lydia, accompanied by Steve Dunachie, is originally from Hereford and currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music. Lydia received the Eleanor Lloyd Shield and the first prize cheque for £500 from Gill Miller, chair of Making Music West Midlands.

Organiser, Sue Johns, commented that a most satisfying day's music had once again proved that there is abundant musical talent in this region, and that thanks were due to all those who have supported the competition in order to give these young musicians an opportunity.

Linda Fowler