The winners
Gabriele Cassone was born in Udine on 6th September 1959. Diplomas in trumpet (1976) and composition (1984). Since 1976 he has been 1st trumpet at the Pomeriggi Musicali Orchestra in Milan and also teaches trumpet there. In 1985 he won 1st prize for trumpet at the Cagliari competition.
His most elegant, refined and original style and his exceptional technique make him one of the most interesting representatives of the younger generation of soloists.
Gerd Fischer was born in Bad Elster on 25th October 1961. Studied in turn with Albrecht Herrmann (Markneukirchen), at the Halle special music school (from 1975) and with Kurt Ramm at the F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy College of Music in Leipzig. Since 1985 he has been solo trumpet, and responsible for high trumpet parts, at the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Has exceptional physical strength and endurance — a genuine large symphony orchestra soloist, capable of playing over, and leading, a hundred other musicians. An exceptional musician.
Michael Mulcahy was born in Sydney on 23rd January 1958. He studied at the New South Wales Conservatory there with Geoffrey Bailey. He is currently solo trombone at the West German Radio Orchestra in Cologne. In 1981 he won both 2nd prize at the Munich International Trombone Competition and 1st prize at the Vercelli Competition.
Has the confidence of a great soloist! Sound, sense of phrasing and musicality are the great strengths of this most appealing artist, of whom we will certainly hear much more in the next few years.
Miklós Nagy was born in Budapest on 17th May 1963. He has been studying with Adam Friedrich at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music there for five years. Already holds his teaching diploma (1984) and won 3rd prize at the Geneva competition in 1985.
Another perfect product of the famous Hungarian school! Accomplished virtuosity in the service of music.
Markneukirchen trombone competition
ROLAND SCHNORHK *
An international competition is an important event for any competitor, the culmination of long hours of practice, for most the opportunity to compare themselves with others and, above all, to take stock of themselves, of their level of technical and psychological preparation and perhaps also of their musical and instrumental beliefs.
The Markneukirchen competition assumed even greater importance in trombonists’ eyes for having been the object of a three-year wait — the last international competition was in Toulon in 1983. It is also the start of a new run: Prague (87) Geneva and Munich (88).
The competition, a privileged encounter, offers all these young musicians of different schools, cultures, sensitivities and languages a certain enrichment thanks to the contacts and bonds of friendship which arise there. In the town of Markneukirchen, small but rich in a living musical tradition, the special local conditions greatly favour and promote these contacts. And the welcome given to all the competitors, both by the organising committee and the local authorities and by the population in general, was one of warmth, friendship and receptiveness.
The trombone competition
Out of 47 competitors who had registered 28 appeared, representing thirteen countries: sixteen from Eastern Europe, eight from the West and one each from Australia, Brazil, Cuba and Japan. Fourteen remained for round two (eight countries) and five for the final.
One of the peculiarities of the Markneukirchen competition, one that could have been specified in the regulations, is that the points obtained in each round are added together. Thus the placings after round two and after the final are made by adding together both or all three rounds respectively. This demands complete preparation and total involvement in each round. Those who have made it a habit, or a goal, to hold themselves back, to make only so much effort, have little chance of reaching the final. Note, however, that appearing “in the final with orchestra”, before an inevitably larger audience, must count more than in the first round.
Another rule, stated quite clearly this time, is that the concerto with orchestra must be played by heart. This is all the more acceptable in that we were dealing with the Albrechtsberger concerto. The same thing could easily be done at any competition, whether with this concerto or the Wagenseil, our two classical concertos. But it was not so easy for everyone — far from it: one of the five finalists had to withdraw. But rules are made to be applied, even if they are questionable, and questioned. So let each competition keep its peculiarities and remember that, if there were a perfect set of rules, it would have been applied everywhere long ago.
As for the programme, each round had a set piece (David, Schenker, Albrechtsberger) and an optional piece:
Round 1 - Martin (chosen ten times); Serocki: “Sonatina” (9x); Hindemith (7x); Matej: “Sonata” (once); Saint-Saëns (once).
Round 2 - Pauer: “Trombonetta” (3x); Dutilleux (3x); Milhaud (8x)
Round 3 - Serocki: “Concerto” (3x); Tomasi (twice); Spisak.
Despite the overall high standard at this competition no 1st prize was awarded. A 2nd prize was awarded unanimously to Michael Mulcahy (Australia) and two 3rd prizes to Michal Jasko (Czechoslovakia) and Andrea Bandini (Italy).
As always, for everyone who came away happy, many came away disappointed. Both groups should profit from this experience, happy or otherwise, and cherish the memory of the friendly visit to Markneukirchen.