A magnificent prizewinners' concert closes the 60th Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competitionden 60. Internationalen Instrumentalwettbewerb Markneukirchen

A mountain has been climbed!

(gd) The participants, members of the juries, guests of honor, the Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra Greiz/Reichenbach and of course numerous listeners celebrated the conclusion of the 60th International Instrumental Competition with a remarkable concert.

This musical celebration was opened by the third-placed violinist and winner of the Max Reger Prize, Josephin Chung from Australia, on a stage once again beautifully decorated with flowers by Blumenhaus Am Roten Markt. She once again played the compulsory piece from Round 1, Prelude and Fugue in D minor op.117, No.6 by Max Reger (1873-1916), in which she was able to musically convince the audience with her wonderful tone, dynamic and profound interpretation and her great understanding of the work. She rightly received the special prize of 1,000 euros donated by the Max Reger Institute in Karlsruhe for this interpretation.

This concert was presented by Beatrice Schwartner, as were the two final rounds. In her charming, relaxed and amusing manner, she knows how to take the “beer seriousness” out of such important events. She conveyed greetings from our father Michael Kretschmer, who said: “It is an eternally valid experience that practicing gets you further, perseverance pays off and there is no substitute for enjoying music together”.

As at the opening concert, the chairman of the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition Association, Toni Meinel, took the floor and summed up the Music Days: music is a world language that needs no translation, as we have been able to experience over the last eight days. The subsequent welcoming of the guests of honor, including Barbara Klepsch, Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism, Andreas Heinz, Member of the State Parliament, Prof. Julius Berger, the professors of the international jury from eight countries and many more, is probably a protocol must.

The mayor went on to emphasize that the town of Markneukirchen is world-famous for its masterfully crafted instruments, for its long history, “it is a lively place where the passion for music is palpable; tonight we experience...how decades of experience, tireless practice and a passion for sound come together to form a symphony”! According to Toni Meinel, the prizewinners' concert was the crowning glory of a competition that “not only discovers talent, but also overcomes borders and brings cultures together”. He congratulated all the prizewinners for their outstanding achievements. Music is more than just sound and rhythm, it is a universal language that builds bridges, creates understanding and connects people from all walks of life. Over the past few days, it has been possible to experience how very different musical styles and cultural backgrounds have come together. His thanks went to all the participants, organizers and sponsors who made this event possible, such as the sponsors of the prizes, the master craftsmen who had opened their workshops wide, and to the organizing team Carola Schlegel, Katrin Hoyer, Josefine Grumbach and Kerstin Rubner - “as always - you were great!”. 

Tonight is a celebration of talent, proof that music in Markneukirchen is not only a tradition, but also the future. “Let's toast to the music, to the tradition and innovation that is lived in our town!”

After these optimistic words from the head of the town, the prizewinners came back “to Tone”.

Brian Isaacs from the USA, 3rd prize winner in the viola category, played the 3rd movement (Theme with Variations) from the Solo Sonata op. 31 No. 4 by Paul Hindemith (1895-1963). With a clear tonal language, virtuosity and great creative variety, he mastered this difficult work with bravura and deservedly received much applause.

The Norwegian Njord Kårason, winner of the Max Reger Prize for viola, then took to the stage and performed Max Reger's Suite for viola solo op. 131d No. 3 in E minor (1st and 2nd movements). He demonstrated his great understanding of the work with his interpretation and the diversity of his expressiveness.

Teofil Milenkovic (Serbia/Italy) then slipped into the role of the “devil's violinist” Niccoló Paganini (1782-1840), playing his Caprice op. 1 no. 24 for solo violin with astonishing virtuosity and musicality - his flageolet passages were bravura! - delighted the audience.

Before the award ceremony, the audience could listen to Märchenbilder op.113 (1. Nicht schnell and 3. Rasch) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Antoine Thévoz (CH), 2nd prize winner in the viola category, sensitively accompanied by Ja Yeon Kang from South Korea, told two fairy tales with great musicality - one lyrical and thoughtful (“Frau Holle”?), the other very virtuosic with a “jumping” bow (“Der kleine Muck”?).

After the IIW fanfare by Gerhard Paul, Prof. Julius Berger, President of the IIW for stringed instruments, took to the podium: “Our anniversary competition was a real celebration! ... This competition rightly plays an important role in the concert of international competitions.” Although the mayor had already thanked everyone involved, Julius Berger said with a wink that today was a day of thanks and echoed the mayor's words. However, he also remembered those “who are no longer with us, who paved the way: Günter Wendel, Manfred Scherzer, Kurt Masur and so many more”.

He also felt the need to express his special thanks to Carola Schlegel, “who has shaped our competition with her extraordinary expertise, deep humanity and great warmth, even in a tight staffing situation where she has performed tasks for at least two employees at the same time”. A big thank you also went to the colleagues on the jury, with Prof. Barbara Westphal and Prof. Paul Roczek as chairmen, for their committed, fair and professional support.

And then Prof. Berger addressed the young musicians in particular and told a story: “A man wants to climb a mountain...”, a parable that can be found in Paul Hindemith's “Introduction to Instruction in Composition” and which philosophizes “about the ascent of man from the illusory world of deceptive opinions into the truth of his own convictions”.  “The hiker conquers his own technique”! The unpleasant mountain symbolizes the Parnassus of man - man's path to himself in harmony with his fellow human beings - this is their path, this is our path! “Wanderer, there is no way, wanderer, your tracks are the way: you must go” (medieval inscription on a Franciscan monastery wall). And addressed to the award winners: “You have reached an important vantage point, now it's time to keep going, don't give up, keep your eyes on the summit, have confidence and courage in your own path!” “Let us keep going and thus continue to serve the highest values of humanity, let us keep learning to pass on and create signs of hope with the younger generation. The IIW has climbed a mountain!”

And these profound thoughts of the professor were then underlined to a certain extent by two fantastic musical masterpieces. - Firstly, Landshut-born Carla Usberti played the Concerto in D major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754-1812) together with the Vogtland Philharmonie Greiz/Reichenbach, with whom she had to “make do” without a conductor. Despite the small blackout, which she overcame very quickly (the orchestra also responded excellently!), it was a real feast for the ears! Carla seems to have literally “grown into” her instrument. With her mature interpretation, her creative variety and her confident playing, she won over the audience and received a lot of applause for her performance.

The absolute highlight of the evening - not only because of the demanding work, but also because of the solo performance - was the experience of the Violin Concerto in D major op. 61 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), played by the only 17-year-old Corina Deng from Canada and the Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra Greiz/Reichenbach under the very confident and sensitive direction of her conductor Simon Edelmann.     She mastered this demanding music with passionate musicality, wonderful intonation and aplomb.While she enchanted the audience with a very heartfelt interpretation, especially in the second movement, she brought everything together in the last movement, which is often regarded as the highlight of the concert: energy, virtuosity and emotional depth.The saying applies to her: She lives the music!Or to paraphrase Catarina Carsten: She doesn't make music!
She is music!  Her interpretation of Beethoven's Violin Concerto - an unforgettable experience! A long standing ovation was the reward for this extraordinary musical performance.