Russian Cellist Rustem Khamidullin Awarded 1st Prize at Gisborne International Competition

25 year old Russian-born cellist Rustem Khamidullin has been awarded 1st Prize at the 2014 Gisborne International Music Competition, in New Zealand.

2nd Prize was awarded to 22 year old New Zealand flutist Hugh Roberts – and 3rd Prize to 18 year old Australian cellist Sam Lucas.

The annual competition, open to solo orchestral instrumentalists aged 16-25, is regarded as one of the most significant development bursaries in the Australasian region.

A student of Conradin Brotbek in Stuttgart, Rustem will receive NZD $8000 and a solo engagement with the Orchestra Wellington.

It is only the third time, in the competition’s 24 year history, that a violinist has not progressed to the final round.

Australian cellist Chrstopher Mui was awarded the ‘Most Promising Player Award’ scholarship.

Australian violinist Anna Da Silva Chen was awarded the 'Professor Jack Richards String Player' Award.

The Pultron Composites Award for Best Performance of a work by a New Zealand Composer was awarded to New Zealand violinist Julian Baker.