It was an honour to be asked to join the jury for the VII Tomassini International Oboe Competition in Petritoli, Italy from 30 November to 3 December. The jury were: Thomas Indermuhle (Chair), Jean-Louis Capezzali, George Caird, Marco Salvatori and Daniele Giulio Moles. There was an exceptionally high level amongst the contestants and after two
The 2017 Barbirolli International Oboe Competition came to an exciting close on Saturday with the final at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin being contested by Rafael Sousa (Portugal), Andreas Oeste (USA) and Ilyes Boufadden-Adloff (France). The day before, these players were joined by Amy Roberts (UK), Kaede Yamamoto (Japan), Fanny Kloevekorn (Germany), Gabriel Pidoux
The 4th Barbirolli International Oboe Festival and Competition has now been announced for 1 – 8 April 2017 at the Erin Arts Centre, Isle of Man. One of the most prestigious oboe events in the world, it is named after the celebrated oboist and writer Evelyn Rothwell, Lady Barbirolli. Her vision to encourage a wider
It was a real privilege to be adopted as an honorary viola player in chairing the jury for the twelfth Tertis International Viola Competition from 12 to 19 March. Well-established through the patronage of the Tertis Foundation and managed in Port Erin, Isle of Man by John Bethell and his team, the festival and competition
I have just spent nine days (4 – 13 September) in Munich chairing the ARD Wind Quintet competition – four rounds of fine playing from 22 quintets comprising players from 21 countries. A real international event. It was marvelous to hear such varied playing with some ensembles going for a more blended sound, others showing
I am now just beginning a return to Munich from 4 to 13 September for the ARD Competition for Wind Quintets. As an ardent quintet player, this will be a wonderful opportunity to hear some of the top ensembles. Having enjoyed two oboe competitions and one flute competition in the past, it will be a
The Barbirolli International Oboe Festival and Competition came to a close last Saturday with a thrilling final. From eight semifinalists (Hannah Morgan, Nermis Mieses, Tiago Coimbra, Kyeong Ham, Samuel Bastos, Sergio Sanchez, Esther van der Ploeg and Juri Schmahl), three oboists, Hannah Morgan, Nermis Mieses and Samuel Bastos played the set work, Judith Bingham’s Durer