The Twiolins
progressive classical music
progressive classical music ENGLISH
Marta and Marie share a deep passion for the violin – and an extraordinary story.
Both gathered years of stage experience in renowned violin duos – Marie for over 15 years with her brother as The Twiolins, and Marta for 10 years with Duo Divites. When both duos disbanded independently of each other, two defining chapters came to an end. But as one chapter ended, a new one began: Marie remembered Marta, reached out to her – and from the very first rehearsal, they felt a deep musical connection. Former competitors became friends and musical companions.
As a duo, they find the freedom to switch between soloistic brilliance and sensitive accompaniment, fully embracing the violin’s immense versatility. Their concerts impressively demonstrate that two violins can unfold the power of an entire orchestra – virtuosic, emotional, and infused with the intensity of their personalities.
Through their own arrangements and the interpretation of contemporary compositions, they continuously expand their repertoire. Their music, a blend of tradition and innovation, aims to touch hearts and create spaces where people can reflect on the question: What connects us in this diverse world? With their approach, they bring progressive classical music to life – daring, emotional, and full of new possibilities.
Two violins. Two souls. One sound.
„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 fresh air into the chamber music scene and revitalizing classical music – that was the goal of Marie-Luise & Christoph Dingler, the former Twiolins duo, when they established the Progressive Classical Music Award in 2009. 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.
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€. 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 Benedikt Brydern (USA)
2nd Prize Jens Hubert (D)
3rd Prize from Johannes Meyerhöfer (D)
4th Prize Dawid Lubowicz (PL)
5th Prize Aleksandr Gonobolin (US)
6th Prize András Derecskei (HU)
2012
1st prize: Preis Johannes Söllner (D)
2nd prize: Preis Tonio Geugelin (D)
3rd prize: Preis Sophie Pope (UK)
4th prize Preis Judit Varga (HU)
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 (USA)
2nd prize: Tina Ternes (D)
3rd prize: Aleksey Igudesmann (AU)
4th prize: Dorothea Mader (D)
5th prize: Ewelina Nowicka (D)
6th prize: Teodor Nicolau (FI)
Sheet music of the prize winners can be found here.
