 | The TROMP International Music Competition and Festival is held every two years in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Since 2004 its subjects are string quartet and percussion on a rotating basis. The 19th edition of 2008, 15-23 November, will be devoted to String Quartet. |
| Central theme of TROMP 2008 is ‘Four & More’, which refers to the expanding string quartet; from a literal expansion in persons to out-of-the-box flirtation with different art forms and extraordinary performance and music styles. First held in 1971, the TROMP Music Competition was open to young musical talent from Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Upon the opening of the Music Center Frits Philips in 1992, TROMP gained more standing through their new professional facilities. In addition, the competition focused on those instruments for which few professional competitions as yet existed. Since 2002, TROMP has become an international competition, inviting participants from all over the world. The organization became also increasingly professional. Jury members were selected on the basis of their international reputations, e.g. Norbert Nozy, James Wood, Bill Cahn, Anders Loguin in 2000 (percussion), Adolph Herseth, Markus Stockhausen and Kevin Volans in 2002 (trumpet), Henk Guittart, Stefan Metz, Janet Ying, Charles Sewart and Isabel Charisius in 2004 (string quartet) and Evelyn Glennie, Trilok Gurtu, Arnold Marinissen, Paul Koek and Peter Sadlo in 2006 (Percussion). A central part of every competition is a commissioned composition by an important composer. This year British composer Steve Martland will compose the compulsary work for string quartet and percussion to be performed during the finals by the participating quartets together with renowned percussionist Colin Currie. Steve Martland studied composition in The Netherlands with Louis Andriessen. He rejects academic dogma in favour of a plurality of musical influences, both ancient and modern, ‘serious’ and vernacular. He has received commissions from the Sydney Opera House, the National Ballet Amsterdam and the London Contemporary Dance Theatre. Numerous works have been adopted as theme music for the BBC radio and Dutch TV. He also worked with the King’s Singers and Evelyn Glennie for whom he wrote Street Songs. He is currently composer in residence of the ETNA Music Festival in Sicily, Italy. The Winning Quartet will receive € 20,000, and - An all inclusive residence-position at the Banff Centre (Banff, AB, Canada) in 2009; Consisting of a self-directed, two week long, programme with possibilities for masterclasses, concerts and a lodge for practicing. All participating quartets will receive a professional recording of their performances during the competition, which they may use for promotional purposes. The deadline for enrollment is May 1st, 2008. Eindhoven has been home to the prominent Muziekcentrum Frits Philips since 1992. More than 160,000 music lovers visit the Muziekcentrum every season to attend concerts from internationally renowned artists, orchestras and upcoming talent. The central event of the TROMP is the Competition. But besides that, since the 1990s, the TROMP Music Competition has been expanded to include concerts at other locations in Eindhoven. The TROMP Music Festival offers a broad, up to date and innovative portrait of the instrument central to the Competition one which includes other genres in addition to classical music. Event: TROMP International Music Competition and Festival 2008 Date: November 15 (Saturday) – 23 (Sunday), 2008 Location: Muziekcentrum Frits Philips Eindhoven Netherlands |
| SOURCE: TROMP International Music Competition and Festival 2008 |
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