 Competitions
The Sixth Mae and Irving Jurow International Harpsichord Competition was held March 8-10 at
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. The winners are:
The Aliénor Harpsichord Composition Competition (www.harpsichord-now.org) for new music was established in 1980 under the aegis of the Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society to promote the creation of new music for the harpsichord, encourage composers’ interest in the harpsichord, and enrich the repertory of contemporary harpsichord music. The Sixth Aliénor Harpsichord Composition Competition took place at Duke University during the March Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society (SEHKS) Meeting, March 11-13 2004. The Aliénor Awards have already secured worldwide interest and recognition through active contest and commissioning programs. In 1982, the first competition drew 180 entries from many nations; commissions for new solos have since been awarded to several composers. Behind the privately-funded Aliénor projects is the belief that, like the piano and the organ, harpsichords are general instruments; and, in view of their temporary disappearance from the musical scene in the 19th century, especially deserving of a modern repertoire. Aliénor executive director Dr. George H. Lucktenberg states, "We seek a new age of maturity in harpsichord works. The instrument now offers unusual opportunities to composers; solidly re-established in concert life, it is very popular with the public. The break between its traditional baroque literature and today's new but complementary styles also offers a better chance for program space in recitals." One of the interests and concerns expressed at SEHKS's first conclave was establishing competitive activities for harpsichordists, since very few such opportunities existed in this country. The first competition was held at the 1982 Conclave in Tallahassee, FL. The Fifth Mae and Irving Jurow International Harpsichord Competition 2002 was held Bethlehem, PA, USA, March 7-9, 2002. The Jury for the competition included Kenneth Gilbert, Davitt Moroney, Arthur Haas, Jacques Ogg, and Charlotte Mattax. The winners of the 2002 competitionJoint 1st place (prize split)Joseph Gascho, USA ($2500) Michael Sponseller, USA ($2500) 2nd place ($2500) Heidi Tsai, USA 3rd place ($1500) Martin Robidoux, Canada Most promising non-finalist (Jurow prize $750) Adam Pearl, USA The Previous Competition The Society's Fourth International Harpsichord Competition was held during Conclave '96 in Tallahassee, March, 1996. Contestants were chosen from 32 entrants from Europe, Canada, Japan and
the United States. Judges for the competition include Kenneth Gilbert,
France; John Gibbons, Boston; and Lisa Crawford, Oberlin.
 The first prize winner was Irina Rees, far right, a Russian-born harpsichordist who presently lives in New York and studies with Charlotte Mattax at Rutgers University. Second prize went to Tien Yang, far left, a native of Taiwan who currently studies in London with Virginia Black. Third prize was won by Yoonok Lee, right of center, a harpsichord student of Lionel Party at the Juilliard School of Music since 1989. The prize for 'Most Promising Non-finalist' went to Nadia Bohachewsky-Soree, left of center, also a student of Charlotte Mattax. ©2002 Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society |