It’s arguably the most world-class event Queenstown ever hosts, but it’s been mute since 2019. As the 11th Michael Hill International Violin Competition begins, Philip Chandler strings along to hear what’s new this year and sounds out what’s happening in the future
It used to be held every two years, but, due to Covid, it’s been four years since the Michael Hill International Violin Competition was staged.
However, going by what Arrowtown-based mega-jeweller Sir Michael Hill — its colourful founder and chief sponsor — has to say, it may have been worth the wait.
That’s because he reckons the standard of this year’s quarter-finalists competing in Queenstown this weekend — before the semis and finals are held in Auckland — has never been higher.
‘‘I think what’s happened, now we’re one of the first [international competitions] back on the road, we’ve had an enormous flood of entries of such unprecedented standard.’’
No fewer than 160 violinists aged between 18 and 28 have entered.
‘‘We’ve always managed to have one or two really great violinists, but this time they’re all good.
‘‘The competition, over 20-odd years, has developed into quite a significant competition that is particularly good on anybody’s list of things they’ve done.
‘‘It’s internationally recognised, and I think that’s something perhaps the locals don’t realise.’’
Hill says the 16 competitors will be ‘‘the up-and-coming next rung of famous violinists in the world — it’s bloody unbelievable, really, it’s so exciting’’.
Competition executive director Anne Rodda says Covid was tough on a cohort of talented violinists who were denied performance opportunities.
However, she believes her trust will look back on the pandemic as an opportunity ‘‘to really strengthen our foundations’’.
‘‘What we did is, instead of just hibernating or turning everything into a digital presentation, like some international events did, we decided to do live work benefiting New Zealanders instead.’’
In Queenstown, the organisers staged the Whakatipu Music Festival over the past two years — albeit with Covid restrictions — and established a string instrument bank for students.
‘Up to the community to come and listen’: Sir Michael Hill
The board’s now also decided to hold the competition every three years, rather than biennially, ‘‘so it creates space for these other things’’ — including a national string competition in Auckland.
Moving to a three-yearly cycle is also a response to the event’s huge cost increases, including flying in all the competitors from overseas.
A new feature this year is a fellowship programme, in which six up-and-coming, tertiary-aged Kiwi violinists will be doing a lot of the outreach programmes and also introducing competition sessions.
Rodda says the Queenstown component continues to make the competition stand out, with the resort’s scenery a counterpoint for many of the artists who live in huge cities or ‘‘concrete jungles’’.
In turn, she believes the event enhances our arts and cultural reputation ‘‘because otherwise Queenstown’s known for bungy jumping, The Lord of the Rings and wine’’.
She says the Covid experience also saw Hill and his family further reaffirm their commitment to the competition ‘‘as a legacy and a gift back to the community’’, which they now direct through the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Culture.
Hill stresses it’s not just his family who invest in the event, but many others in the community, including the council, individual donors and families who billet the violinists.
‘‘It’s now up to the community to come and listen.
‘‘There’s a profound difference in listening on Netflix or your stereo or whatever it is, to actually hearing the live performance,’’ he says.
‘‘If this community wants to get a concert hall at any stage, it does need to show support with bums on seats, because otherwise the council will, say, ‘no one ever goes to these things, why would we bother?’’’
Hill says even if you just turn up for a couple of hours, you won’t be disappointed.
‘‘It’s like anything at the top, it’s always a joy to be part of it.’’
● Michael Hill International Violin Competition Rounds 1 & 2, Queenstown Memorial Centre, today 2.30-5.30pm, 7.30-10.30pm, tomorrow 10am-1pm, 2-5pm, Sunday 10am-1.15pm, 2.30-5.45pm, Monday 10am-1.15pm, 2.30-5.45pm, 7pm, announcement of six semi-finalists; tickets available from michaelhillviolincompetition.co.nz
