Bowstrings that had been worked so hard they were only attached at one end floated up and down, while a sold-out audience thrilled to seemingly impossible violin mastery.
During the weekend, music performed by some of the best up-and-coming violinists in the world resounded within the newly refurbished Queenstown Memorial Centre as part of semifinals one and two of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition were conducted.
As semifinalist Nikki Chooi, of Canada, performed it was as if he was allowing his violin to speak, the story drawing out a wide range of emotions from the full hall as he progressed from soft melodies to plucking the strings and unbelievably fast movements.
Competitors have 90 minutes' practice with an accompanying pianist, though watching Chooi it was hard to believe the heights he could reach. The second round of semifinals continued yesterday. The competition moves to Auckland tomorrow, and will conclude on Saturday.
