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Exciting young Artists at the 2023 Aeolus

Competitions

 

17th Edition is held in the disciplines Trombone, Tuba and Trumpet

Young brass players from all over the world recently came to Düsseldorf for the 17th edition of the Aeolus International Competition for wind instruments. Annually presented by the Sieghardt Rometsch Foundation, the competition collaborates with the Robert Schumann University, the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra and Deutschlandfunk radio. For 2023, trombone, trumpet and tuba players were invited to take part. Of over 200 registrations, 85 musicians were invited to take part at the live rounds of the competition. The international, high-ranking jury chaired by Hendrik Vestmann (Music Director in Oldenburg) included Jens-Björn Larsen (Tuba), Ian Leslie Bousfield (Trombone), Mark David (Trumpet), Dietmar Küblböck (Trombone), Joseph Skillen (Tuba), Thomas Leander (Rektor of  Robert Schumann University), and Alan Lee Kirkendall (Trumpet).

The repertoire for brass instruments is relatively small, but nevertheless, the organizers once again found many appealing and challenging works for solo and orchestra. There were even film music composers on the program: Trombonist Polina Tarasenko played Nino Rota's concerto with a strong, warm sound and received third prize. Xianhua Liu came second with the Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra by John Williams, fascinating the audience with almost ridiculously fast sequences of notes while maintaining a sweet, velvety sound.

 

all brass- the participants of the 2023 Aeolus Competition

First prize winner and winner of the audience award was James Vaughen, who played Alfred Desenclos’ trumpet concerto with the highest quality of sound and superb technique.

A special prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work was given to young trombone player Sophie Bright.

The Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra and conductor Martin Rajna provided a sensitive and well-balanced accompaniment, obviously at home with the modern scores.

 

Prizes

First Prize: James Vaughen (Trumpet)

Second Prize: Xianhua Liu (Tuba)

Third Prize: Polina Tarasenko (Trombone)

 

Jury

Hendrik Vestmann, Jens-Björn Larsen, Ian Leslie Bousfield, Mark David, Dietmar Küblböck, Joseph Skillen, Thomas Leander, Alan Lee Kirkendall

 

Artists

Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra/ Martin Rajna, Conductor

 

©WFIMC2023/FR