Concours International d’Execution Musicale Genève (CIEM) 50th Anniversary (Vol. 3) – International Competition For Musical Performers Geneva (CIEM) 50th Anniversary (Vol. 3)

swissmusic

The 3rd CD - part of the 3 CD Anniversary Box - spotlights selected instrumental first-prize Winners from 1962-1989 (Part II). Some of these prize-winners - Philharmonia Hungarica, Olga Ortenberg, Tabea Zimmermann - have led noteworthy careers since their CIEM win. On this recording you hear interpretations of works by Robert Suter, Jean Balissat, Armin Schibler, Heinz Holliger, Enesco, Martinu and Haydn.

The International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva CIEM celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1989. Over the past half century, this prestigious event has achieved increasing worldwide renown and has launched many unknown but highly talented performers on their way to brillant international careers. Since 1982, the Transcription Service of Swiss Radio International has issued an annual album in its Musica Helvetica series, featuring highlights from competition perfomances by prizewinners in Geneva. Besides these albums also present to a wider listening public the music of Swiss composers prominently featured in the Geneva competition.

This anniversary presentation comprises 3 recording editions with highlights from the Geneva competition since it was first held in 1939. The 1st recording presents the 50th anniversary edition “Lyrical Art Competition on operatic work”, along with archive excerpts by prizewinning vocal performances since 1939. The 2nd and 3rd editions are throughoughly archive recordings (from 1939-1959 and from 1962-1989 respectively) by prizewinning instrumental performers.

The CIEM Geneva Story

In 1939 Swiss composer Henri Gagnebin and Frédéric Liebstoeckl founded the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva. After Second World war it soon became one of the world’s most prestigious competitions. The inaugural competition included seven categories (bassoon, voice, clarinet, flute, oboe, piano and violin) and was carried through in two stages. The final concert was broadcast by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and by the National Broadcasting Corporation in New York.

The Geneva competition has contunially profited from a close co-operation with leading musicians and orchestras. Eminent Swiss conductor Ernest Ansermet (along with the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande) was an ardent advocate of the competition, often appearing on the rostrum himself to accompany young performers.

The collaboration with outstanding musicians also extends to the jury. Over fifty highly respected specialists are involved in the evaluation process each year. They make a major contribution to the outstanding international reputation of the CIEM.

The promotion of Swiss music has also always been one of the primary goals of the Geneva competition. The set selection of pieces from which candidates choose always includes music by Swiss composers (specially commissioned in co-operation with the Swiss Musician’s Association). Over 150 new works have been composed specifically for the competition (including Frank Martin, Heinz holliger, Willy Burkhard etc.).

The city and canton of Geneva and the Swiss Federal government have supported the Geneva competition since its inception. Additional support of eminence was provided by major companies.

1st Prize for Wind Quintet 1962 – Philharmonia Hungarica

The Philharmonia Hungarica was formed in Germany by musicians who fled Hungary during the 1956 uprising. Under Antal Dorati’s aegis it rapidly became one of the world’s leading orchestras. Five of the orchestra’s soloists formed a wind quintet by the same name, achieving considerabls renown for its repertoire of rarely heard works. After their win in Geneva in 1962, the Quintet attracted international attention and undertook frequent foreign tours.

Swiss composer Robert Suter was born in St. Gallen in 1919. He attended the Basel Conservatory studying composition, piano and theory. Besides subsequently becoming a professor at the Basel Conservatory, Suter was appointed music editor of a weekly radio programme and has written several works on music. His masterly composition “Four Studies For Wind Quintet”, courageos and avant-garde, cleverly conceals integrated elements of dodecaphonist dimensions. The instrumentation is rich in revelation and colour.

1st Prize for Percussion 1972 – Sumire Yoshihara

Born in Tokyo (Japan), Sumire Yoshihara studied at the College for Music under Seimon Aruga. She won distinctions at several major international competitions, including Munich and Geneva in 1972. She has since gained increasing international acclaim and has made numerous recordings. In 1986 she signed a recording contract with CBS Sony.

Jean Balissat was born in Lausanne in 1936, and was active as composer, orchestral conductor and professor for composition and orchestration. He studied composition in Lausanne and Geneva besides conducting, horn and percussion. His composed for orchestra and chamber ensemble, as well as for percussion, choir and brass band. Balissat died in 2007. The “Concertino for Percussion and Orchestra” Jean Balissat composed for the Geneva event in 1972.

1st Prize for Clarinet 1972 – Thomas Friedli

Born in Geneva (Switzerland) in 1946, Thomas Friedli studied in Lausanne under Robert Kemblinski and in Paris with Jacques Lancelot. He possesses an extensive repertoire, and is a notable performer of contemporary music and works by Swiss composers (Sutermeister dedicated his Clarinet Concerto to Friedli). He is soloist with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (update??). Besides a teaching post at the Geneva Conservatory he has made several recording.

Swiss composer Armin Schibler (1920-1986) was born in Kreuzlingen (Switzerland). He studied in Zurich piano and composition. There it was composer Willy Burkhard who encouraged him particularly. Schibler subsequently went to England for further studies under Britten, Fortner, Krenek, Leibowitz and Adorno. Schibler work was influenced by Baroque, post-Romanticism and dodecaphony but also by blues and the vitality of jazz.

1st Prize for Harp 1974 – Olga Ortenberg

Born in Moscow (former USSR), where she studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Subsequently Olga Ortenberg began her early career as a soloist. She is an outstanding representative of the Russianschool of harp-playing, and currently teaches at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow.

Heinz Holliger, fascinated by exploration of the interior world, is a composer constantly seeking new possibilities of expressions for the instrument for which he is writing. He incorporates his experiences of the frontiers of sound, right to the limit of perception. This approach is also obvious in “Sequenzen über Johannes I, 32, for Harp”.

1st Prize for Viola 1982 – Tabea Zimmermann

Born in Lohr (Federal Republic of Germany) in 1966, Tabea Zimmermann began her musical studies at the age of only three. She later completed her studies at the Freiburg-im-Breisgau Academy under Ulrich Koch. Already as child she performed numerous concerts in Germany and abroad. Several times she was awarded the “Jugend Musiziert” First Prize. At the age of only 16 she won the CIEM in Geneva. She has since recorded with Gidon Kremer at the Lockhausen Festival, and is currently pursuing her career as an internationally-acclaimed concert soloist.

On Georges Enesco’s “Concert Piece for Viola and Piano” Tabea Zimmermann’s remarkable maturity of phrasing and supple voice-like versatility gives this performance a highly distinctive dimension of colouring. The composition is a beautiful work, characteristic of the French influence on Enesco, written in Paris shortly after his Rumanian Rhapsodies.

1st Prize for Cello 1986 – Leonid Gorokhov

Born in Leningrad (former USSR) in 1967, where he started his studies at the Leningrad Conservatory. Subsequently Leonid Gorokhov won prizes at international competitions in Praque, at the Soviet Radio Competition and in Geneva in 1986. He became a prolific performer in Russia and at the age of only 23 was named professor at the Leningrad Conservatory.

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959) was an intensely Czech composer, but greatly inspired by French influence. He lived in France from 1923 to 1940. These “Variations on a theme by Rossini for Cello and Piano” were written in New York in 1942. They are notable for their seductive vitality and virtuosity, revealing the remarkable scope of the instrument.

1st Prize for Conducting 1984 – Grzegorz Nowak

Born into a musical family in Poznan (Poland) in 1951. Grzegorz Nowak obtained a “Musical Arts in Conducting” doctorate at the University of Rochester (New York), where he studied under Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Thereby he was assistant conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He completed his studies at the Poznan Music Academy in conducting, composition and violin. Tours with Polish Radio orchestras followes. In 1984, he won the 40th Anniversary of the Geneva Competition (“Concours Ernest Ansermet”) and embarked on an international career as a guest conductor.

Joseph Haydn composed his “Oxford” Symphony during his first stay in England. It was performed on the occasion of Haydn receiving a honorary doctorate at Oxford University. The symphony possesses an already mature Romanticism.

Société d’Orchestre de Bienne – Bienne Symphony Orchestra

Founded by Swiss composer Jost Meier, who directed the orchestra until 1980, and Eduard Benz, its long-time managing director, the “Société d’Orchestre de Bienne” has established itself as one of Switzerland’s leading ensembles. Meier was succeeded by Ivan Anguélov, Grzegorz Nowak and Marc Tardue. The orchestra gives about 30 concerts annually, besides performing in operas and operettas.

Production information

International Competition For Musical Performers Geneva, 50th Anniversary 1939-1989. Selected First-Prize Winners 1962-1989, Instrumental – Part II. Musica Helvetica MH CD 75.2. Produced by Patrick Linder and Andreas Lüthi.