30th Anniversary of the Concurso Permanente de Jóvenes Intérpretes

02.12.09

An article by Carmen Rubio (JM Spain)

After four intense days in which Bilbao enjoyed good music, the 72nd edition of the Concurso Permanente de Jóvenes Intérpretes (National Permanent Competition for Young Musicians) organised by Jeunesses Musicales Spain ended on the 22nd of November with the awaited jury judgement:

Singing • First Prize: PABLO GÁLVEZ (baritone) • Second Prize: not awarded Chamber Music • First Prize (ex aequo): TRÍO MOZART DE DELOITTE (violin, cello and piano), QUINTET FRONTELA (wind quintet) • Second Prize: FUKYO (saxophone quartet) To make this 30th anniversary as special as the competition deserved, special activities like concerts, music performances in public places, a round table, etc. were organized. In them participated some of the most distinguished prize winners of the competition, like the soprano Ofelia Sala, the clarinettist Joan Enric Lluna or the pianist Eleuterio Domínguez.

a little girl astonished by a performance of the saxophone quartet 'Fukyo' (photo by C. Rubio)

Important personalities in the Spanish and European music world were also invited to celebrate such a festive edition, among them was Eckart Rohlfs, founder of Jeunesses Musicales Germany and of EMCY (European Union of Music Competitions for Youth), and creator and fosterer of the National German Music Competition for Youth 'Jugend musiziert', which he ran for 33 years. Jordi Roch, President of Jeunesses Musicales Spain, thanked in his speech at the closing ceremony all the guests, jury members and participants 'for making possible such a successful edition'.

A really special proposal was 'El Concurso sale a la Calle' (The competition on the streets), which consisted of 30 performances in unusual places like the most crowded underground stops and streets, the main train station or the impressive Guggenheim Museum, among others. This initiative was warmly welcome by the inhabitants who had the pleasure of finding the best music on their way.

The won prize gives its holder the opportunity of touring in Spain and abroad since they become part of the JME musicians and part of its Concert Plan, a musical network which stretches all over the country and with more than 200 concerts per year organized thanks to the collaboration of the local associations of Jeunesses Musicales.

prize winners, jury members, guests and JM Spain President, Jordi Roch