The Frankfurt-based ensemble receives €5,000
The 27th Polytechnical Society chamber music competition took place on 12 December at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK), with eleven ensembles competing.
The first prize of €5,000 was awarded to the Elster Trio, the second prize of €3,000 to the Trouvaille Trio, while the Colora Quartet won the €2,000 sponsorship prize. All three ensembles will perform in a prizewinners’ concert in Frankfurt in May.
The Elster Trio was founded in 2022 and comprises violinist Wassili Wohlgemuth, cellist Davide Carlassara, and pianist Jacopo Giovannini. It previously won the University of Music and Theater Leipzig’s chamber music competition, and is currently studying with Angelika Merkle at HfMDK. The trio has also received tutoring from Valentin Erben, Boris Kusnezow, Florian Schötz, and Tabea Zimmermann.
This year’s jury comprised Jaan Bossier, Lucas Fels, Jan Ickert, Angelika Merkle, Hansjacob Staemmler, Lilya Tymchyshyn, Tim Vogler, with Christa Ratjen as chairwoman.
‘The Elster Trio impressed with works by Mendelssohn and Amy Beach through their euphony, high level of professionalism and a very finely balanced interaction,’ said Vogler. ‘The Trouvaille Trio was able to come up with a contrasting program that impressively combined works by Rihm and Schubert. And the still young Colora Quartet played compositions by Haydn and Debussy with spirit and with a very homogeneous, rounded sound.’
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