Events
Announcement 13th International Telemann Competition
PREFACE
The 13th International Telemann Competition is held for the two categories of period string instruments (baroque violin, viola da gamba) and chamber music ensembles. Only instrumentalists and ensembles whose primary focus is on historically informed performance practices are eligible to apply in both categories. Each instrumentalist can participate in both categories but may only be a member of one registered ensemble.
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CATEGORY CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLES
COMPETITION CONDITIONS
Participating chamber music ensembles are required to perform each part with a single instrument; the basso continuo may be played by one or more instruments.
Ensembles featuring only one solo instrument and basso continuo are excluded from the competition.
In the category chamber music ensembles, the maximum average age is 32 years, whereby no member may have been born before March 21, 1986.
Each instrumentalist may only participate in the 13th International Telemann Competition as a member of one registered ensemble.
Participants who also take part in the category period string instruments may not perform the corresponding repertoire in the category chamber music ensembles.
The competition office provides all participants with rehearsal rooms free of charge. A warm-up phase immediately before the performance is guaranteed. Rehearsal and practice rooms are equipped with a tuned harpsichord.
INSTRUMENTS AND TUNING
Instruments for which Georg Philipp Telemann composed chamber music are permitted (this excludes, for example, voice flutes and other small or large recorders, piccolo transverse flutes, cornets, trombones, etc.).
Each ensemble member must perform on a period instrument built no later than the 18th century or a replica thereof. This also applies to bows and stringing based on historically informed performance practices. The organizers or the jury reserve the right to examine the individual instruments.
A double manual harpsichord will be provided by the organizer. The concert pitch is a1 = 415 Hertz (tempered according to Vallotti).
REPERTOIRE AND LENGTH OF PERFORMANCE
Complete works by Georg Philipp Telemann and his contemporaries are to be prepared for all three rounds of the competition. Works by Telemann should make up at least half of the program for each round.
The works included in the list of the recommended repertoire are intended to serve as a guide when compiling the program for the individual competition rounds. The list of recommended repertoire can be downloaded here. Other pieces by Telemann and his contemporaries may also be considered.
For each round, the program may contain only one composition for solo instrument and basso continuo or obbligato harpsichord or for two instruments without basso continuo.
All compositions must be performed in the original instrumentation or, if necessary, in alternative instrumentations as suggested by the composers.
Ensembles are invited to create a dramaturgically appealing program for each round that highlights the unique qualities of their lineup.
The following time limits apply to the individual rounds of the competition:
1st round: 15 to 20 minutes (based on a video recording)
2nd round: 20 to 25 minutes
3rd round (finale): 30 minutes
The times given above include the time required to tune the instruments. The complete program to be prepared thus amounts to a maximum duration of 75 minutes.
If necessary, the selected pieces are to be performed with a shortened da capo and/or without repeats. The jury reserves the right to interrupt the performance or to skip individual movements.
A different program is to be created for each round. The inclusion of a composition with a duration of up to 10 minutes from the 1st round is possible.
At least half of the program for each round must be performed by the entire ensemble.
COURSE OF THE COMPETITION
The 1st round will be conducted on the basis of video recordings. Ensembles must upload a video recording of their complete program for the 1st round along with their registration to the application platform muvac.com by January 6, 2025 (date of timestamp).
For the 1st round, the following requirements apply to the video recordings:
- Recording of the complete program for the 1st round
- Only ensemble members who also take part in the competition may be involved in the recording.
- A good sound quality is a prerequisite.
- Choose a suitable location for the recording, not a room with too much reverberation, but a small room or the recording studio of a university.
- No cuts are permitted within the recording. This also applies to the times required for retuning the instruments.
- If possible, the name of the ensemble as well as the title of the recorded work should appear in the video.
The 2nd and 3rd rounds of the competition will take place on site and are open to the public. The venue for the 2nd and 3rd rounds is the Schinkel Hall in the Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg, Schönebecker Straße 129, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany.
For participation in the 2nd and 3rd round, personal registration by the respective contact person of the ensemble is required (see schedule for time and location).
Participation is in alphabetical order, whereby the first letter of the ensemble name is decisive. The competition office will draw lots to determine where in the alphabet to start. The starting ensemble will be announced during the opening ceremony (see schedule for time and location).
Following the welcome address, the schedule for the 2nd round of the competition and the planned rehearsal slots will be posted in the competition office.
SCHEDULE
Registration: Mon, March 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Competition office, Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg, Schönebecker Straße 129, 39104 Magdeburg
Opening and welcome address: Mon, March 24, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Gartensaal, Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg
2nd round: Tue, March 25, 2025
Announcement of ensembles participating in the 3rd round: approx. 2 hours after the completion of the 2nd round
Stage training (optional participation): Wed, March 26, 2025
Location: Gartensaal, Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg
3rd round (finale): Fri, March 28, 2025
Announcement of the laureate ensembles: approx. 2 hours after the completion of the 3rd round
Closing concert of the laureates: Sun, March 30, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
The laureates and the winners of special awards chosen by the jury are obliged to take part in the closing concert.
RECORDINGS AND BROADCASTING
The finale or the closing concert is expected to be recorded by the radio. By registering, the competition participants transfer all rights to the use of the recording to the organizer for an unlimited number of transmissions with no temporal or geographical restrictions. This grant of rights includes the right to use the recording for terrestrial broadcasting, for broadcasting via satellite, for streaming (including live streaming), for making available on digital channels and for use in the web channel or on social media platforms.
APPLICATION
Applications can be submitted online from November 1, 2024 at muvac.com and must be received no later than Monday, January 6, 2025 (date of time stamp).
The application includes:
- Compiled program for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds with details on the exact instrumentation, the sequence of pieces and movements as well as the duration of the individual movements or the complete works
- Scanned passport or ID card of each ensemble member
- Proof of musical training of each ensemble member (certificate of enrollment for students, scanned diploma for graduates)
- CV of the ensemble including details on the competition line-up
- Photo of the ensemble (printable, at least 300 dpi) and name of the photographer
- Video recording for the 1st round
- Transfer of the application fee of EUR 60.00
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
FEES AND ADMISSION
Each ensemble must pay an application fee of EUR 60.00 (as a net amount for the recipient) by Monday, January 6, 2025. Please note that the payment as well as complete application documents are a prerequisite for participation in the first round of the competition.
Participation in the 2nd round is based on nomination by the jury in response to the submitted video recording.
The ensembles will be informed of their admission to the 2nd round via muvac.com by Friday, January 24, 2025.
Upon receipt of admission and payment of the participation fee, the ensemble is entitled to further participate in the competition.
The participation fee is EUR 75.00 for each ensemble member from the 2nd round onwards. The amount must be paid (as a net amount for the recipient) by Friday, February 14, 2025. A proof of payment must be uploaded to muvac.com to verify that the transfer was made on time.
Instrumentalists who also participate in the category “Period String Instruments” are not required to pay the participation fee for the competition in the category “Chamber Music Ensembles”.
Bank details for the application and participation fees (the fees are to be transferred separately)
Payee: Internationale Telemann-Gesellschaft e.V.
IBAN: DE68 8105 3272 0031 2518 18
BIC: NOLADE21MDG
Bank: Stadtsparkasse Magdeburg
Reference: 13. ITW Ensembles, ensemble name
Transfers from outside the EUR currency area can be made via wise.com to itg@telemann.org.
If the application and participation fees are not paid in due time, the right to participate expires. The application and participation fees will not be refunded in the event of withdrawal. If an ensemble member is unable to attend the competition due to illness (medical certificate required), a processing fee of EUR 50.00 per ensemble member will be deducted from the participation fee to be refunded. If ensemble members are unable to take part in the competition due to force majeure, the competition office must be informed immediately. Complete application documents must be submitted unsolicited for each substitute member chosen by the ensemble. The administration of the 13th International Telemann Competition reserves the right to decide on changes to the line-up.
FINAL CLAUSES
Travel, accommodation and meals are to be organized and paid for by the participants themselves.
Ensembles participating in the finale will receive an accommodation allowance of EUR 75.00 per member.
The jury’s decisions are in all cases non-contestable and there is no recourse to legal action. By applying, all participants accept the terms and conditions of the competition.
After the second round, jury members will be available for a discussion with the eliminated ensembles, as well as after the announcement of the laureates. Contact with jury members is prohibited until an ensemble is eliminated. Questions to the jury are to be addressed via the competition office.
By registering, participants consent to the organizer making visual and audio recordings and using these for press purposes, documentation, archiving, publications (online and print) as well as for use on the organizer’s social media platforms.
Subject to change without notice!