Gyftiko (violin solo)

This is my one and only work for solo violin. Gyftiko, which translates as “gypsy-like”, was commissioned for the 2011 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. The premiere performances - by each of the competition competitors - took place at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, New Zealand on June 5, 2011. The first prize winner was Russian violinist Sergey Malov, who went on to perform the piece as part of his tour in New Zealand.

The work was written for performers to express their individual style as well as demonstrate technical command of the instrument. It starts with an improvisatory quality and eventually becomes a rhythmic moto perpetuo. The writing focuses on specific technical features intedned to challenge the performer: these include: portamenti, fast rhythmic and melismatic lines, left-hand pizzicato and double-stops.

Gyftiko brings together influences from Eastern Europe Greece and the Middle-East. There's a lot is packed into this five-minute work and it has subsequently attracted  a number of very impressive players looking for a newer work to exhilarate audiences with their virtuosic flare.

2011 Prizewinners

Sergey Malov (Russia) 1st Prize

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Richard Lin (Taiwan) 2nd Prize

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Xiang Yu (China) 3rd Prize

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Nadir Khashimov (Uzbekistan) 4th Prize

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Eric Silberger (USA) 5th Prize

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Stefani Collins (USA) 6th Prize