Review of the KlassikPreis.Österreich Gradus ad Parnassum 2011

The categories of this year’s competition were voice, cello, trombone (all solo) and chamber music ensembles: 28 singers, 9 cellists, 8 trombonists, 6 piano trios and 1 string quartet participated in total.

The highlight of the whole competition was the gala concert of the first prize winners competing for the KlassikPreis Österreich which includes prize money of 3000 EUR on Thursday 8th December.  The prize winners were accompanied by the Grazer Philharmonisches Orchester under Tecwyn Evans. The KlassikPreis Österreich was awarded to the first prize winner of the category voice, Sophie Rennert who also received the EMCY Prize. She could convince the jury with her performance accompanied by orchestra and with her solo performance consisting of works by Mendelssohn and Brahms as well as an aria of the St Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach and the Aria sang by Charlotte in the Werther by J. Massenet.

The second part of the evening was dedicated to chamber music performed by Sophie Rennert and the Lichtental Trio consisting of Dianne Baar (piano), Saskia Roczek (violin) and David Pennetzdorfer (cello). The trio played the Trio (Op. 1) composed by E. W. Korngold at the age of 12. The concert was broadcasted by the ORF Steiermark.

After the concert Alexia Getzinger , member of the State Parliament, and Prof. Paul Roczek, Chairperson of the Austrian music competitions for youth MUSIK DER JUGEND, handed over the prizes. This year the awarded money prizes had a total value of 28.500 EUR. In addition to that the competition's partners Zentrale Raiffeisenbank Österreich, Verlag Bärenreiter and the ESTA donated special prizes in the amount of 3.350 EUR. The European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) gave the Lichtental Trio, 1st prize winner in the category chamber music, the opportunity to perform in the frame of the EPTA Conference 2012. Furthermore, the mica – music austria promotes all prize winners with a workshop covering the topics concert organisation and management amongst others.