During Sunday's Stars of the Festival ceremony, cellist Laec Lorentzen was declared the winner of Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival's Rose Bowl.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Laec Lorentzen, a 16-year-old cellist, was named the winner of the 2022 Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival’s Rose Bowl on Sunday for the second time in the past three years.
Lorentzen won the Rose Bowl in 2019. While he has taken part in the festival since then, he was ineligible to compete in the Rose Bowl for a period of two years following his win, as per Rotary Music Festival rules.
For this year’s Rose Bowl audience, Lorentzen performed Pampeana No. 2 Rhapsody, Op. 21 by Alberto Ginestera.
“I really liked that I got to perform the Pampeana – which is a relatively obscure piece – and have everyone enjoy it,” Lorentzen told the News. “I chose to perform (it) at the Rose Bowl because it showcases many different styles of techniques and is a dramatic and impressive piece.”
Lorentzen, who has been playing the cello since he was six years old, is a familiar face at the Rotary Music Festival and others across the region.
“I have participated in music festivals for many years and the Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival for the past six,” he said. “Even though I’ve been performing in front of people for many years now, I still get nervous. I find I am the most nervous before the performance begins. Once I start playing, I just let the music take over and forget my nerves.”
Throughout the festival, Lorentzen performed several pieces including Sonata No. 2 by B. Martinu, Concerto in E Minor by E. Elgar, Cello Suite No. 4 Prelude by J. S. Bach and Caprice No. 7 by A. Piatti. In addition to being named the Rose Bowl winner, Lorentzen was also presented the award for Outstanding Performer for Cello, Intermediate Cello and General Strings.
“It feels really good,” Lorentzen said, following his wins. “It feels like my hard work over this past year is paying off.”
Lorentzen plans to take part in next year’s festival, despite being ineligible for the Rose Bowl. He is looking forward to cheering for his fellow musicians, developing his personal skills as a musician and sharing his passion for music with audiences.
“For me, the Rotary Music Festival is one of my main chances to perform and, as a musician, it’s important to have those opportunities,” Lorentzen said. “Above all else, I play for the music. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing the music in my head and then actually playing it.”
