The Twiolins
progressive classical music
progressive classical music ENGLISH
Just open the window and let fresh ideas into the classical music scene. The Twiolins are the pioneers of the new wave of ‚progressive classical music‘ and cause worldwide sensations and excitement in the concert halls. Ear pleasing harmonies, broad melodic lines and eccentric pulsating rhythms are the trademarks of their music, merging classical, avant-garde, minimalist music and pop-art-pop into a new sonic sound universe.
Since childhood, the two siblings share the stage. Together, they have won numerous awards and they are on tour several times a year. 2009, they founded a composition competition, now with more than 900 participants from 55 countries. A new and unique repertoire, which represents the creative excellence of the current generation of composers is thereby produced every three years.
It represents music of our time, which can be adventurous and wild, but also delicate and sweet. Music, which has nothing to prove, no intention to break any conventions, but only to inspire and that is precisely what it makes revolutionary and relevant. Like an universal language it touches the human inner spirit and continues to inspire the Twiolins to perform it again and again: in perfect synchronization with technical precision, and full of passion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqJLTb0uths
„new wave of classical music“
„siblings in brilliant interaction“
„versatile, electrifying, virtuosic“
Neue Musikzeitung
„The Twiolins bring effortless virtuosity and vivid personality“
The Strad
„SOUND: 4 STARS”
FONOFORUM 2014 (CD SUNFIRE)
„Virtuosic skills, versatility and great stage presence“
Aachener Zeitung
„modern classical music, stirring interpretation and charming moderation“
Die Rheinpfalz
„The Twiolins took the audience to ecstasy“
New Age, DHAKA
The Twiolins – Biography and mission
The Progressive Classical Music Award as a source for new and exciting repertoire
Bringing some fresh air in the chamber music scene and reviving the classical music – that was the goal of Marie-Luise & Christoph Dingler, when they originated the Progressive Classical Music Award (PCMA – former known as Crossover Composition Award. The competition was held every three years to expand the repertoire for two violins. Performed in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2019, the competition generated a great response and about 900 composers from 55 nations sent in their works.
video about the competition
At the Progressive Classical Music Award the audience votes on the award.
The competition is seeking music which “gets under the skin and sweeps the audience off their feet” . Whether using virtuosity or great emotions– it’s the composers’ choice. Only one formal condition: The work should last about 5 minutes. The Competition rules have been designed flexible intentionally to allow creation of new music with contemporary emotions. This diversity of styles is supposed to contribute to a sustainable development of the classical concerts and audiences.
During the PCMA the audience is directly involved in the running of the competition. After a pre-selection by a representative jury, consisting of established musicians, composers and conductors ( Julian Rachlin, Aleksey Igudesman, etc.), six finalists advance to the grande finale: All selected works will be premiered by the Twiolins and the audience (300 – 400 attendees) then votes on the awards.
The winners, often young composers, receive prize money totaling 11.000€ which can support their studies/career. The compositions are published by internationally renowned publishing houses: 2012 and 2015 Peer Music, 2009 Ries&Erler. Additionally they will be recorded on a CD by the Twiolins: 2011 VIRTUOSO, 2014 SUNFIRE, 2017 SECRET PLACES.
What does “progressive classical music” mean?
Until 2015, the competition was called the “Crossover Composition Award” – “Crossover” in order to encourage composers to overcome genre boundaries and therefore guarantee a broad musical spectrum. A new term had to be found for the newly created, diverse music: “Progressive Classical Music”. “Progressive” means “increasing, developing” – just like the music that emerges with every new realisation of the competition. In the meantime, this term is gaining ground in the world of classical music: Renowned ensembles such as the ‘New Ideas Chamber Orchestra’ or ‘BartolomeyBittmann’ also use this genre name for their music and a ‘Progressive Chamber Music Festival’ with locations in Germany and the USA was founded in 2018.
Winners:
2019
1st prize Piotr Szewczyk (5000€ – USA)
2nd prize Jürgen Christ (3000€ – D)
3rd prize Edmund Jolliffe (1000€ – UK)
4th prize Rainer Bartesch (800€ -D)
5th prize Viktor Molnár (600€ – HU)
6th prize Daniel Berg (600€ – SE)
2015
1st Prize for “Schillers Nachtflug” from Benedikt Brydern (USA)
2nd Prize for “Rock You vs. Ballerina” from Jens Hubert (Germany)
3rd Prize for “Atem. Licht” from Johannes Meyerhöfer (Germany)
4th Prize for “Carpathian” from Dawid Lubowicz (Poland)
5th Prize for “Metamorphosis” from Aleksandr Gonobolin (Ukraine)
6th Prize for “Balkanoid” from András Derecskei (Hungary)
2012
1st prize: Preis Johannes Söllner (D)
2nd prize: Preis Tonio Geugelin (D)
3rd prize: Preis Sophie Pope (UK)
4th prize Preis Judit Varga (HUN)
5th prize Preis Jonathan Russell (USA)
6th prize Preis Hans-Günther Allers (D)
Special prize: Michael F. P. Huber (AU)
2009:
1st prize: Benedikt Brydern (Autobahn)
2nd prize: Tina Ternes (Windspiel)
3rd prize: Aleksey Igudesmann (Fever of Passion)
4th prize: Dorothea Mader (Pas de deux)
5th prize: Ewelina Nowicka (Jongleurs)
6th prize: Teodor Nicolau (Fairy Tale)
