Third semifinal day – evening

Clara Dietlin

program

Michael Haydn - Concerto in B-flat

Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, dir. Vahan Mardirossian

With her strong personality combined with refinement, she performs this concert—which sits at the intersection of classicism and romanticism—with elegance, confidence, and meticulous attention to detail. She has complete command of the technique and delivers a captivating instrumental narrative, especially in the middle section, the Romance, where the cello seems enchanted. Thanks also to her excellent ensemble playing with the orchestra, the concert is a joy for the listener, who momentarily forgets they are witnessing a competition performance

Narzillaev begins with the somewhat mysterious, very slow, misty, exploratory section of this four-part composition. After the first tentative notes exploring the universe, you hear a deep, warm cello in the first solo line. By choosing this intro, he immediately makes the work more enjoyable. The next section is powerful, turbulent, with an unexpected high tempo and yes, his cello is somewhat overpowered too. That was also the composer's intention. Why? Well… Part three is an aggressive section with many short and forceful bow strokes. Dilshod Narzillaev handles the bow perfectly and minimizes the not-so-pleasant squeaking as much as possible. The chaotic third section doesn't become particularly 'beautiful,' but you do get that less grating cello sound. The final section somewhat echoes how the work began today—a light and pure sound. Still, it's a challenge to keep it engaging throughout. Perhaps we should ask the composer why that is?

program

Leopold Hofmann – Concerto in D major Badley D3

Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, dir. Vahan Mardirossian

A remarkably sincere interpretation in the second round of the competition, delivered by Dilshod Narzillaev. We discovered confidence, emotion, directness, and simplicity in the playing of this musician, who devotes himself entirely and admirably to his craft. Well-controlled technique and sustained chromatic balance contribute to his impeccable tone. Thanks to his innate musicality and communicative gift, he invites us in an impressive way to dream within the universe of these compositions.

Arne Jesper Zeller

program

Johannes Brahms – Sonata No. 2 in F Op. 99

Harold Noben – Caffeine

Julius Klengel – Scherzo Op. 6

Naoko Sonoda, piano accompanist

A highly accomplished musician with tight technique and self-control; a program in which the right hand is employed in a special way, with challenges to which he responds with verve. Bow control that accounts for the demands of the most difficult passages, precise bow strokes, brilliant articulation, steady rhythm, a full cello voice with profound tone color: a remarkable recital is offered, in which he allows the audience to endlessly enjoy the ebb and flow of his music, beautifully phrased and thoughtfully intonated.

Andrew Ilhoon Byun

program

Claude Debussy – Sonata in d

Harold Noben – Caffeine

Ernest Bloch – Méditation hébraïque

Paul Hindemith – Sonata Op. 25/3

Katsura Mizumoto, piano accompanist

An achievement accomplished through finesse and perseverance, navigating with artistry and mastery the technical 'acrobatics' of such a mosaic-like combination of pieces from different cultural worlds: Debussy's refinement, the high demands of the Caffeine piece, the intense lamentation of the Hebrew meditation, the labyrinthine fantasy of Paul Hindemith's five-part sonata. A perfect cello sound, explored in its full realization. We listened with a kind of eager anticipation, as if a grand event were about to take place. Once again, a royal evening of musical treat…