News Release on Svetlin Roussev’s International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, fall 1998

Prizes section of “News and Notes”:

            Bulgarian Svetlin Roussev, 22, took the fourth-place prize of $5,000, and in an interesting turn of events went home with even more. Roussev arrived at the competition with a borrowed Nicolo Amati violin, but upon hearing the quality of the other finalists’ instruments, he decided he needed a more powerful violin. He reviewed the instruments in a display organized by the competition, including a 1734 Guarneri del Gesu, but chose to borrow a copy of the “Heifetz” Guarneri built by contemporary maker Gregg T. Alf. Roussev took the instrument immediately, winning first prize for Best Performance of a Classical Concerto and third for Best performance of the Paganini Caprices in addition to his fourth-place overall win.
            Aware that Roussev could not afford to keep the instrument, supporters in Indianapolis took up a collection. Within days, $20,000 was raised, and Roussev returned home with his medal, two awards, prize money - and the 1990 Alf violin.

back

1221 Prospect Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

(734) 665-2012   fax: (734) 665-4623

email: violins@alfstudios.com