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<< -- 8 -- Howard Smith VISIONARY DEVELOPMENTS
At the competition's gala conclusion and presentation of prizes the audience, jury, guests and prizewinners assembled in Uralsk's spacious 'Ostrovskiy' Russian Theatre. Once more Uralsk heard the prizewinners, notably Sahara in the Mozart Concerto; K216 if memory serves me right.
First prizewinner, Atsuko Sahara at the Chagala Hotel in Uralsk. Photo © 2004 Howard Smith
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Finally Marat joined the orchestra for Albeniz's Asturias (arranged for violin) followed by British composer Mark Emney's monothematic Dark Star. Emney's atmospheric ten-minute work was inspired by images returned to earth from the Hubble Space Telescope; its dedication is to astronauts and cosmonauts lost as the early conquest of space has proceeded.
Mark Emney, composer of 'Dark Star' with blue bow tie, in conversation with accompanist John Lenehan. Photo © 2004 Howard Smith
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As the music faded to a whisper and stage lights went down orchestra members activated winking red and blue stars in the darkness.
Throughout the contest entrants, jurists, musicians, journalists and other visitors were received with efficiency, genuine kindness and above all, outright professionalism; as for the music -- it was memorable.
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Copyright © 7 March 2004
Howard Smith, Masterton, New Zealand
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