Match made in musical heaven

KATHERINE HOBY meets the country's newest musical star, who now wants to conquer Europe.

One is petite with long, dark hair that swings slightly with her careful bow strokes. She has big, dark eyes which mirror her concentration.

The other has a traditional hourglass shape, is chestnut brown and produces a rich sound when caressed in the right way.

When Victoria Simonsen and her cello combine, it is the sweetest embrace.

The talented Aucklander, who turned 19 on Tuesday, has just won the New Zealand Young Musician of the Year Award.

She has also been accepted for post-graduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, starting in September.

The only thing standing in her way is the cost. Two years' tuition at the college costs $100,000. The award prize was $10,000, return tickets to Britain and a concerto contract with the NZSO.

Simonsen is in her final year of a Bachelor of Music performance degree at Auckland University.

But her love affair with the cello goes back more than 10 years.

The thing she likes best about the instrument is how close it sounds to the human voice.

"It often feels as if it comes to life in my arms," she says.

Simonsen does not know where her cello will take her over the next 10 years.

"I just want to aim as high as I possibly can.

"I want to be a performer. I want to play. I'm happy if I can play."

She also wants to work more on her composing, travel through Europe and Britain and meet some of her peers.



She is determined to make an impact.

"I haven't worked this hard to let it all go now. And when I'm standing on the stages over there - and I certainly intend to be standing on their stages - you can bet I'll be super proud to be a New Zealander."

Simonsen's mother, Rosemary Mathers, is a concert pianist.

"I wouldn't say she crawled to a cello when she was a baby," she says.

"But once she picked one up at age seven she has hardly put it down."

She says her daughter has worked hard to get to where she is at - and a lot more hard work is yet to come.

"I went through things on my way - saving during the week to pay for a lesson at the end of it. I would rather she didn't have to do it that way."

NZSO musical director James Judd raves about Simonsen.

"She's terrific. I could talk all day about her."

Judd says Simonsen's mature, creative personality adds a special dimension to her playing.

"She has a tremendously deep understanding and profound respect for music."

It is vital for Simonsen to be associating with other young musicians and competing with some of the best in Europe, he says.

"It is a crucial stage for Victoria. But I truly believe there is no limit to what she could do."

* Victoria Simonsen plays with the NZSO at 6.30pm today and 8pm tomorrow at the Auckland Town Hall.