Malibu, Calif., May 31--Christopher Parkening and Pepperdine University today announced the winner of the second triennial Parkening International Guitar Competition. Emanuele Buono, 21, of Italy won the prestigious competition with his stirring performance of Concerto no. 1 in D Major by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at Pepperdine's Smothers Theatre during the final round on Saturday, May 30. He received the $30,000 Stotsenberg Prize and Gold Medal from benefactor Dorothy Stotsenberg of Malibu, Calif.

The Parkening International Guitar Competition, the world's preeminent guitar competition with the largest prize purse of any classical guitar competition, took place from May 28 through May 30, 2009.

After winning the Gold Medal, Buono said, "It feels like a dream. I can't believe it." Talking about the pressure he felt during the final round he commented, "I was less tense after the performance because I felt I played very well."

The Silver Medalist, Ian Watt, 18, of Scotland, received $12,500 in addition to his medal; the Bronze Medalist, Juuso Nieminen, 29, of Finland, was awarded $7,500.

The three finalists, Buono, Watt, and Nieminen, were selected from a pool of 15 standout competitors, and each performed a concerto with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under the baton of celebrated conductor Alondra de la Parra. The winner was announced after a short deliberation by the judging panel.

The three, along with Rafael Aguirre Minarro, 24, of Spain and Silviu Ciulei, 23, of Romania, competed in the semi-final round on May 29.

Other competitors included Yuri Aleshnikov, 24, of Russia; Michael Bautista, 30, of the United States; Carlo Corrieri, 20, of Italy; Colin Davin, 21, of the United States; Alexei Khorev, 30, of France; Laura Klemke, 28, of Germany; Marco Sartor, 30, of the United States; Andrew Stroud, 28, of the United States; Edward Trybek, 27, of the United States; and Aleksandr Tsiboulski, 29, of Australia.

All of the competitors performed on the first full day of the competition (May 28); five semi-finalists were then selected to proceed to the second day. The competitors performed required and free-choice repertoire and were judged on musicianship, tone, technique, and stage presence.

The distinguished panel of five judges, representing different areas of the classical music world, were Nancy Allen, principal harpist with the New York Philharmonic; Manuel Barrueco, world-famous guitar virtuoso; Stephanie L. Challener, publisher of Musical America Worldwide; Thomas Frost, Grammy Award-winning record producer; and Costa Pilavachi, former president of EMI Classics.

The 15 competitors vied for cash awards that totaled $57,000. The fourth and fifth prizewinners each received $1,000. Awards of $500 were given to each of the remaining 10 competitors.

Emanuele Buono was born in Turin, Italy, in 1987. In 2005 he graduated with full marks from the "Giuseppe Verdi" Conservatory in Milan, where he is currently pursuing a music diploma. He also received a three-year diploma from the "Francisco Tarrega" Academy and has attended the International Master Classes of "Accademia Musicale Chigiana di Siena" every year since 2007. He was awarded first prize at the XXXIII International Guitar Competition in Gargnano, Italy. He was the first Italian winner of the Ruggero Chiesa International Competition in Camogli, Italy, also winning the award for best interpretation of a romantic piece as well as the audience choice award.

The Parkening International Guitar Competition is pleased to congratulate and announce the winners of the 2009 competition:

The Stotsenberg Prize Gold Medal was awarded to Emanuele Buono.

The Silver Medal was awarded to Ian Watt.

The Bronze Medal was awarded to Juuso Nieminen.

The Fourth Prize was awarded to Rafael Aguirre Minarro.

The Fifth Prize was awarded to Silviu Ciulei.