John Hopkins has had a close association with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and has given enthusiastic support to young musicians as a conductor, educator and administrator over many decades. He would have been deeply touched by this mark of recognition, especially given the extraordinary musical talent that has been showcased by this competition; the kind of young talent that he has always sought to nurture.
This latest incarnation of the competition would have pleased him too. Saturday night was the culmination of a process that began with two hundred and thirteen contestants at the end of last year. From these, twelve recitalists were chosen, and six of these were selected to present a chamber music work in collaboration with principal players of the MSO. Of these, three advanced to the Grand Final to play a concerto with the orchestra.
Two of the three young men, who played on Saturday night, Stefan Cassomenos and Hoang Pham, chose major piano concertos from the Russian repertoire. The youngest of the three, fifteen-year-old Andrew Kawai, chose Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto. Quite coincidentally, all three were from Victoria.
Following introductory comments by a glittering Mairi Nicolson, Stefan Cassomenos began the musical component with a vibrant account of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3. He is a pianist of great passion and power and his choice of this concerto enabled him to display his considerable pianistic virtuosity. His ability to excite an audience with his high-octane intensity, drive and forward momentum was evident in the enthusiastic response that greeted his performance.
Andrew Kawai is a remarkable young man, whose sensitive musicianship was evident throughout his playing of the Strauss concerto. From the initial rhapsodic phrases his clear tone wove sinuous melodic lines with careful attention to details of phrasing. Responsive to the changing moods of the concerto, he also conveyed a strong sense of being aware of just how his sound fitted in with the orchestral fabric to produce an integrated musical whole. Already astonishingly musically mature, he is a talent to be watched.
Hoang Phan, elegant in white tie and tails gave a similarly refined performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1. This was a risky choice given that so many members of the listening audience know this piece virtually note for note and have their own ideas of how it should be played. Despite the occasional blemish, Hoang Phan’s performance had a great deal to recommend it. Rippling clarity in the softer passages and dramatic strength in the more passionate moments showed him to be a musician possessing an impressive technique as well as musical understanding.
An unusual aspect of the concert was the fact that all three performers literally hauled the conductor, Christopher Seaman, onto the stage for special acknowledgement after taking their own bows. This appreciation of his contribution to their success was well deserved. One of the big thrills for the grand finalists is the opportunity to play with an orchestra as fine as the MSO. That and a sympathetic conductor is a prize in itself.
While the distinguished lineup of adjudicators went about their onerous task, the orchestra played Percy Grainger’s ‘Irish Tune from County Derry’ – better known as ‘O Danny Boy’. This selection was a further tribute to John Hopkins, whose championing of Grainger’s music led to his being awarded a medallion from the International Grainger Society of America.
After a sweetly melancholic rendition of the Grainger, the prizes were announced as follows: Best Recital – Andrew Kawai; Best Chamber Music Performance – Hoang Pham; Best Performance of an Australian Work Prize – Grace Clifford and Concerto Finalist x 2 (runners-up) – Andrew Kawai and Stefan Cassomenos. As Young Performer of the Year, Hoang Pham took out the major prize of $25,000 plus the kudos and opportunities that accompany such a prestigious award. CEO of Symphony Services International, Kate Lidbetter, explained in her opening remarks, this brand new format was set up to discover modern musicians ‘who can do it all’.
Those listeners who disagreed with the decision of the adjudicators were given an opportunity to vote for their very own favourite grand finalist and I am sure that all three of them attracted a strong following. In any event, having heard some of the recital stage on ABC FM radio and all six chamber music finalists in the Iwaki Auditorium, in addition to the Grand Final, it is clear to me that classical music has a healthy future. To say that they are all winners is the commonest of clichés, but in this case there are compelling reasons for trotting it out.
This mini-festival has been an exceptional treat for those who have been able to attend the concerts and for listeners around Australia and the world. John Hopkins would have been very proud of such wonderfully talented musicians and the way they have been given opportunities to shine.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Seaman, conductor
Concerto finalists
Stefan Cassomenos (VIC) Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.3 in C Op.26
Andrew Kawai (VIC) Strauss Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra
Hoang Pham (VIC) Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 Op.23
ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards 2013
Finals: Concertos
Melbourne Town Hall
Saturday 12 October
