The Accompanists’ Guild of SA Inc.

Adelaide: Monday 16 July 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Thursday evening (12 July), the Finals of the Accompanists’ Guild of SA’s 23rd Geoffrey Parsons Award, named in honour of Australia’s accompanist par excellence for singers, such as Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Victoria de los Angeles and Olaf Bär, took place in Adelaide at The University of Adelaide.

The three Finalists competed for a cash pool of $2,500. They were selected from a group of six pianists who undertook Stage One auditions earlier this week, where they performed prepared works with their chosen associates, sight reading and an unrehearsed reading of the set work, Schumann’s Märchenbilder No. 1, Nicht schnell with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra violist, Cecily Satchell.

Judging the Finalists was a panel, chaired by the Guild’s Pianist in Residence for the 2007 Festival of Accompanists, Jean-Paul Sévilla, with local leading pianists and educators, Stephen Whittington and Leonie Hempton.

The finalists apart from performing the set-work with Cecily Satchell, performed works which demanded great technical, interpretative and ensemble skills, including: Poulenc’s and Hindemith’s Clarinet Sonatas, Brahms’ Cello Sonata and Muczynski’s Flute Sonata.

In announcing the winners, Chairman of the Jury, Jean-Paul Sévilla said, “How impressed I was by the quality of the three competitors and their partners. Their sincere and professional performances were much appreciated. It was difficult to choose the winners, as they all had very good qualities.”

The jury unanimously announced that the 2007 winners were:

• FIRST PRIZE ($2,000) Amir Farid of Bundoora, VIC
• SECOND PRIZE ($300) Thomas Saunders of McLaren Vale, SA
• THIRD PRIZE ($200) Karl Geiger of Ridgehaven, SA

Amir Farid (http://www.amirfarid.com/) performed three impressive works by Hummel, Anne Boyd and Muczynski with Melbourne flautist, Christine Morris.

Amir has won numerous prizes at major national competitions as a soloist and chamber musician at the Australian National Piano Award, the Mietta Song Recital and the 2005 Australian Chamber Music Competition with The Benaud Trio. Later this year, he’ll give Elder Hall Lunch Hour Recitals and will be a soloist in the ABC Classic FM Classic 100 Concerto Countdown Concert in Melbourne. In 2006, he won second prize in The Geoffrey Parsons Award.

To find out more about The Geoffrey Parsons Award, visit the Accompanists’ Guild website
In early 2008, the entry forms for the 24th Geoffrey Parsons Award will be available from there or by ringing the Guild on (08) 8431 6030.

The Accompanists’ Guild of South Australia’s Geoffrey Parsons Award is made possible by the support of Allans Music, The Elder Conservatorium and many generous individuals.

ENDS

For further information, recordings, pics & interviews, please contact:
Christopher Wainwright, Publicist
0438 829 728, cmwain@gmail.com

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Adelaide: 11 July 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Final of The Accompanists’ Guild of SA’s 23rd Geoffrey Parsons Award, named in honour of Australia’s accompanist par excellence for singers, such as Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Victoria de los Angeles and Olaf Bär, takes place this Thursday evening, July 12th, at 7pm in the Hartley Concert Room at The University of Adelaide.

On Monday and Tuesday, six pianists completed the Stage One auditions performing prepared works with their chosen associates, sight reading and an unrehearsed reading of the set work, Schumann’s Märchenbilder No. 1, Nicht schnell with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra violist, Cecily Satchell.

The audition panel of noted musicians, Stephen Whittington, Leonie Hempton and Cecily Satchell judged the performances in terms of interpretation, style, technique, presentation and ensemble skills. Guild Founder and Secretary, Diana Harris said of the competition,

“The Finalists in the Parsons Award must exhibit the major requisites of the professional accompanist/associate artist through the preparation of works of their own choice, anticipation of the soloist’s requirements in the set work and presentation at sight of a convincing performance of unseen material with the soloist. When all other elements are equal it is often the sight reading that clinches a place in the Final.”

The three Finalists competing for prizes totalling $2500 on Thursday are:

• Thomas Saunders of McLaren Vale, SA
• Karl Geiger of Ridgehaven, SA
• Amir Farid of Bundoora, VIC

The Jury will be chaired by Pianist in Residence for the 2007 Festival of Accompanists, Jean-Paul Sévilla,. He will be joined by audition judges Stephen Whittington and Leonie Hempton. The Accompanists’ Guild of South Australia’s Geoffrey Parsons Award is made possible by the support of Allans Music, The Elder Conservatorium and many generous individuals.

ENDS