My first international appearance was the Paganini competition in Genoa in 1967. I managed to win the First Prize, which was the key for my international career, which began directly after. Therefore the Paganini competition is most important for me, personally, and had a great influence on my career.

It was a great chance for me, as a young artist, to come and work my way up to the concert stage. The competition motivates the artist in a specific creative task, because he has got to bring the competition program to a certain level of quality, and that usually leads to appreciable progress; besides, it hardens one's nerve and tests one's will-power: of no small importance for the future life of an artist. Furthermore, competitions give young artists the chance of becoming famous; the competition drew the attention of the press and of the broad public on me.

I have also been very grateful to have been member of the Jury in this competition to help other young artists in the same way. I will have the Paganini Competition always in my best memory and hope for a successful continued existence during the next years.