Wyatt Underhill, a violinist who was born and raised in Elm Grove, won second prize at the 28th annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition, held June 8 – 9 at San Francisco State University, further propelling a burgeoning career in music.
Underhill’s award, the $4,250 Elaine H. Klein Prize, includes $3,000 cash and a solo recital at the Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series. Ruth Short gives this prize in honor of Elaine H. Klein. He also won this year’s $200 Allen and Susan Weiss Memorial Prize for the Best Performance of the Commissioned Work.
The award carries the prestige that has helped many top soloists gain prominence in the competitive world of classical music, including David Requiro, Tessa Lark, Jennifer Koh, Mark Kosower, Vadim Gluzman, Alban Gerhardt, Wendy Warner, Frank Huang and François Salque.
Underhill recently graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Gregory Fulkerson. Underhill will pursue his Master’s Degree at The Juilliard School with Catherine Cho beginning this fall.
Underhill’s outstanding performances included movements from Berg’s Violin Concerto; Joel Friedman’s commissioned work, “Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle”; and Saint Säens’ Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75.
“All of the performers were breathtakingly wonderful, and each has a persona that wins us all. It was very difficult decision for the jury. We salute all of the performers,” said Mitchell Sardou Klein, competition director. The 2013 Klein Competition awarded six other prizes.
First prize went to Youjin Lee, a 17-year-old violinist from South Korea. Lee attends the Colburn Conservatory of Music's Young Artists Academy in Los Angeles.
Dana Kelley, 22, viola, won third prize, the $2,500 Alice Anne Roberts Memorial Prize. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she studies with Kim Kashkashian and attends the New England Conservatory of Music. Kelley won the $500 Pablo Casals Award for the best performance of the solo Bach work.
A pair of $1,250 fourth prizes was awarded. Kevin Lin, violin, a 20-year-old New York City native who studies with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, won the Harry Adams Prize, given by Loretta O’Connell.
Brannon Cho, cello, an 18-year-old who studies with Hans Jorgen Jensen and attends Milburn High School in Millburn, N.J., won the Dexter and Kathleen Lowry Prize.
Each semifinalist not awarded a named prize receives $750. Klein winners also receive the opportunity to make presentations and conduct master classes at schools on the Peninsula and in San Francisco.
This year’s winners are among 97 Klein String Competition entrants — an all-time high — from 10 countries. The judges then selected eight semifinalists who gave 20–25-minute recitals Saturday, June 8, in Knuth Hall at SF State.
Following Saturday’s performances, the distinguished panel of judges chose three finalists to compete in the final round held Sunday, June 9. Each of the three finalists performed a 25–35 minute program.
Among this year’s semifinalists, there were four violinists, three cellists and one violist. They ranged from 17 to 23 years old.
In its history, the Klein Competition has awarded first prize to 17 violinists, eight cellists and four violists. In 1987, a judging gridlock resulted in two outstanding winners, both violinists.
This year’s distinguished jury included previous Klein winners Richard Hirschl and Frank Huang, as well as Joel Friedman, Peter Gelfand, Michael Gelfand, Alan Grishman, Donna Mudge, Melvin Margolis and Barbara Day Turner.
The Irving M. Klein International String Competition, presented by Creative State Presents at SF State and the California Music Center, has earned recognition as one of the leading string competitions in the world. The competition is named for the late cellist and master teacher who devoted himself untiringly to the development of young artists. For details, contact the Klein Competition office at 415/252-1122 or visit: kleincompetition.org.
