Ensemblefestival for Contemporary Music 2020 ends online

The Forum Zeitgenössischer Musik Leipzig [FZML] together with the ensemble Tempus Konnex from Leipzig held an international composition competition. The jury consisted of highly qualified professionals who chose the award winners out of 243 pieces of music from 51 countries and 60 different nations. The composers Prof. Dr. Oscar Bianchi, Prof. Dr. Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf, JiYoun Doo (Tempus Konnex) and Thomas Christoph Heyde (FZML) as well as the conductor Titus Engel were the members of the jury. 

No first prize was given, but Rafael Renteria (Mexico) and Tobias Fandel (Germany) shared the second prize. The third prize was awarded to Jug K. Markovic (Serbia). Originally it was planned that the compositions of the award winners would be performed by Tempus Konnex last winter as well. Due to organizational reasons this was not possible at that time, but it took place afterwards in spring 2021. From 2nd June (18:00 hrs) the concert, that was produced on a high level, will be available online for free under www.ensemblefestival.de

"It was a festival, that was very challenging for us on a personal and administrative level and with regards to the international collaboration. But we accepted the challenge! Beyond the circumstances we made a lot of positive experiences and learned what solidarity means" summed up Thomas Christoph Heyde, the managing artistic director of the festival. 

The Ensemble Tempus Konnex also used the time between the two parts of the festival to record Lockdown Diaries with several musicians during the past months. The Videos can be watched here.