FESTIVAL HISTORY

The Adam International Cello festival & competition was the vision of Professor Alexander Ivashkin, while on the staff at the University of Canterbury School of Music.

His goal was to present the opportunity and establish a tradition for many gifted young musicians in New Zealand and Australia to meet and compete with their international peers. He became the Artistic Director of the festival, which was first held in Christchurch in 1995.

Alexander enlisted The Adam Foundation as the principal sponsor of the International Cello festival, with acclaimed Russian cellist, pianist and conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich, becoming the festival's patron.

Since 1995 the festivals, which are held biennially, have developed with continued success, increasing New Zealand's standing on the global music stage.

Each Festival attracts increasing numbers of applicants and world-renowned cellists who appear as members of the competition jury and as guest recitalists.

These judges interact with the competitors and other young musicians in daily masterclasses, discussions and concerts.

The number of applications for the competition has increased from 40 in its first year to over 200 in 2006, with over 8000 people taking part and/or attending the various events. Up to twenty five musicians are selected from audition tapes to attend the festival.

In the past competitors have travelled from Germany, Korea, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Nova Scotia, Hungary, Sweden, Japan, Russia and the USA.

The competition consists of preliminary and semi-final rounds with the selected finalists performing in a finals gala concert with Christchurch Symphony.