The 25th anniversary of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition

Mitchell Sardou Klein (from his Conductors'
Cooperative Managemetn Web page)

The Irving M. Klein International String Competition celebrates 25 years as one of the world’s leading competitions for young string artists with an all-star anniversary concert June 10 and its semifinal and final rounds June 12–13. Held at San Francisco State University, the Klein Competition has developed into a career-making event for classical music virtuosos ages 15 to 23.  Mitchell Sardou Klein, director of the Klein Competition since its inception in 1985, is grateful to have helped launch successful careers for many soloists. “Looking back, it’s been extremely gratifying to be in touch with Klein Competition alumni who tell us what a difference we have made in their lives,” he said. “We are continually impressed by the increasing levels of excellence displayed by all entrants over the years.”

This year’s semifinalists were selected from 65 entrants from four continents and the nation’s top conservatories. The semifinalists represent five countries. They are:

• Francesca dePasquale, 20, violinist from Philadelphia. She studies with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles.
• Luke Hsu, 19, violinist from Shanghai. He studies with Cho-Liang Lin at Rice University.
• Michael Katz, 22, cellist from Tel Aviv. He studies with Joel Krosnick at The Juilliard School.
• Fabiola Kim, 18, violinist from New Jersey. She studies with Kyung Wha Chung at The Juilliard School.
• Philip Kramp, 23, violist from Springfield, Ill. He studies with Roger Tapping at the New England Conservatory of Music.
• Taeguk Mun, 15, cellist from South Korea. He studies with Minhye Clara Kim at W.T. Clarke High School in Westbury, N.Y.
• Hannah Sloane, 20, cellist from London. She studies with Darrett Adkins at The Juilliard School.
• Xiang (Angelo) Yu, 21, violinist from China. He studies with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory of Music. Yu was also a Klein Competition semifinalist in 2009.

In the semifinal round, each performer will play an unaccompanied work of Johann Sebastian Bach, a major portion of a selected concerto and a new commissioned composition by Dick Hyman (“Decree” for violin, “Descant” for viola or “Descent” for cello). In the final round, the artists must perform additional portions of their selected concerto and one major sonata movement.

The grand prize, the Marvin T. Tepperman Memorial Award, includes $14,000 and solo appearances with the Santa Cruz and Peninsula symphonies, Chamber Music Tulsa, Music in the Vineyards, a Bay Area benefit concert and other performances. The Elaine Klein Award goes to second place and is $3,000. The Alice Anne Roberts Memorial Award goes to third place and is $2,500. The Thomas and Lavilla Barry and Lena and Jules Flock Memorial awards go to two fourth-place finishers and include $1,200 each.

This year’s distinguished jury includes members of the Alexander and Cypress string quartets, Michael Gelfand, Peter Gelfand, Marc Gottlieb, Alan Grishman, Joel Hoffman, Dick Hyman, Joshua Kosman, Melvin Margolis, Donna Mudge, Alice Schoenfeld, Margaret Tait, Patricia Taylor Lee and Byung-Woo Kim.

The competition will be preceded by a concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the competition on Thursday, June 10, at 8 PM.  Performers include pianist Jon Nakamatsu, the Alexander String Quartet, Cypress String Quartet, violist Michi Aceret and past Klein Competition winners including cellist David Requiro and violinist Tessa Lark.  The following works will be performed:

• Eugène Ysaÿe, Sonata Number 4 in E minor for unaccompanied violin
• Fritz Kreisler, Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice, Opus 6
• Johannes Brahms, Quintet for piano and strings in F minor, Opus 34
• Johannes Brahms, Sextet for string Number 1 in B-flat major, Opus 18

All events will take place in Knuth Hall in the Creative Arts Building on the campus of San Francisco State University (1600 Holloway Avenue at 19th Avenue).  A Festival Pass for admission to all events will be $35 for students and $50 for general admission.  The prices for the anniversary concert will be $25 and $35.  The semifinal performances will take place between 10 AM and 4 PM on Saturday, June 12;  and the final performances will take place between 4 PM and 7 PM on Sunday, June 13.  A weekend pass is available for admission to both rounds for a fee of $15 or $25.  Further information may be obtained at 415-338-2467 or by visiting the Creative Arts Web page for the Klein Competition.