Awards Ceremony and Winners’ Concert of the 61st IIW Markneukirchen

(gd) – Following the gruelling selection rounds, which were marked by hopeful anticipation, the top three instrumentalists in each category – Diego Stine (USA), Igor Martinez (Venezuela) and Byoungho Kang (South Korea) in the tuba category, and Antoine Jeannot (France), Bredan Connellan (United Kingdom) and Jan Vobořil (Czech Republic) – were given the chance to demonstrate their exceptional skill once again – free from the stress of competition and in a festive, relaxed atmosphere – on the stage of the Markneukirchen Music Hall, which had once again been beautifully decorated by Blumenhaus Am Roten Markt. The event took place as part of the awards ceremony and a winners’ concert. This wonderful concert evening delivered on everything the days of musical competition had promised – a marvellous finale to this highly prestigious competition!

The concert opened with the piece *En Foirêt* for horn and piano by Eugène Bozza (1905–1991). As Beatrice Schwartner, who once again guided the audience through the programme with her usual ease and charm, remarked, this piece was perfectly suited to the Vogtland landscape (“In the Forest”)! The third-place winner in the horn category, Jan Vobořil, sensitively accompanied by Ikuko Odai, delivered a masterful performance of this demanding piece. He was rightly rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the knowledgeable audience.

Markneukirchen’s mayor, Toni Meinel, then took the floor and emphasised the importance of music as a universal language that requires no translation. Looking back, he remarked that “a very eventful competition with historic records” was drawing to a close, and welcomed the guests of honour, such as the President of the IIW for Wind Instruments, Prof. Lampert, the members of the international jury from 10 countries – whose high-calibre line-up was testament to the great significance of this competition on the global musical stage – and representatives from the worlds of politics and business. He thanked them for their excellent work over the past few days. He also extended his gratitude to all the sponsors and supporters of this competition.

Toni Meinel expressed his pride that everyone present could celebrate the extraordinary talents and impressive performances of the participants, and once again emphasised the international significance and influence of our competition, which extend far beyond the borders of the Vogtland region. He described Markneukirchen as “a vibrant place where a passion for music is palpable”, adding that it is “renowned for masterfully crafted instruments and an unrivalled musical tradition”. Addressing the prize-winners, he said: “Your skill inspires not only your fellow competitors, but all of us, young and old alike”, and demonstrates “that true musical excellence knows no bounds”. A competition such as this proves time and again that music is more than just notes and rhythm; it is a universal language that builds bridges, fosters understanding and brings people from all walks of life together!

To conclude, Toni Meinel extended a big thank you to everyone who had made this event possible and handed over to Sören Voigt, Member of the State Parliament, who was able to inform the town of Markneukirchen that it would receive funding from the state to support the architectural competition for the extension of the Musical Instrument Museum, and conveyed warm regards from Dresden on behalf of Minister-President Michael Kretschmer and Barbara Klepsch, Saxony’s Minister of State for Culture and Tourism.

And then the music continued!

Igor Martinez, second-prize winner in the tuba category, skilfully performed Anthony Plog’s very ‘colourful’ *Three Miniatures for Tuba and Piano*, supported by Maria Lebed’s masterful and understated piano accompaniment.

Naturally, Prof. Lampert also wanted to get something off his chest – his delight at the two exceptionally harmonious specialist juries, who made their decisions with great tact and empathy for the participants, thereby ensuring a fair assessment, and at the young musicians, who treated one another with great fairness, respect and consideration. All of this, he said, formed the basis for the young soloists to flourish to the full. Proof of the high standing of the IIW, he added, is the fact that prize-winners from past competitions now hold leading positions as soloists, members of renowned orchestras or in teaching roles. Lampert was also delighted to see how friendships had blossomed despite all the competition, with participants keeping their fingers crossed for one another, celebrating together or offering each other comfort. This, he said, was a further, great benefit of such a competition. “Thank you for making the IIW one of the international highlights of the music world again this year; thank you to the juries for their tremendous work, and to the piano accompanists for the outstanding quality of their accompaniment!  “Thank you to everyone, including those I’ve forgotten to mention!”

Brendan Connellan then powerfully underscored Prof. Lampert’s words with the Andante in C major, Op. n., for horn and piano, sensitively accompanied by Akiko Nikami. And before the grand finale – the prize-giving ceremony – the third-prize winner in the tuba category, Byoungho Kang, also took to the stage with a skilful interpretation of Robert Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70, for tuba and piano.

After the interval and the sounding of the competition fanfare, the outstanding tuba player from the USA and first-prize winner in the tuba category, Diego Stine, began by performing Jan Koetsier’s (1911–2006) beautiful *Concertino Op. 77* for tuba and orchestra, comprising the movements *Allegro con brio* – *Romanze e scherzino* – *Rondo bavarese*. It was a piece in which the soloist, together with the orchestra under the sensitive baton of GMD Leo Siberski, touched the hearts of the audience with his impressive tone control, technical skill and expressive playing. Alongside his first prize and the accompanying non-monetary and material awards, the prolonged applause was a fitting reward for this extraordinary musical performance.

The final highlight of this year’s prize-winners’ concert was provided by the first-prize winner in the horn category, Antoine Jeannot, with Richard Strauss’s (1864–1949) beautiful Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 11, for horn and orchestra. Across the three movements – Allegro – Andante – Rondo.Allegro – Antoine won over the audience with his virtuosic yet sensitive playing, coupled with a wonderful tone, a mature interpretation and a wealth of artistic expression. He was once again superbly supported by the Clara Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of GMD Leo Siberski.

It was a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary competition in which there were, in fact, no losers. All that remains is to exclaim:

Here’s to the next one!! Here’s to the IIW 2027, featuring the violin and double bass!