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| L-R: Frigyes Hidas (composer and head of jury), Isabelle Marois, David Polkinhorn, Kristina Mascher, Leon Ni, Heather Madeira Ni, Dr. Max Brunner (cultural attache to Passau) |
The Ni Ensemble of Luxembourg has been awarded the first prize at the Internationaler Wettbewerb für Blechbläser-Ensembles um den Preis der Europa-Stadt Passau, 2006, the Passau International Brass Ensemble Competition. They were also awarded a special prize for best interpretation of an original piece for brass ensemble for Victor Ewald’s Quintet number 2. The jury was headed by the Hungarian composer, Frigyes Hidas, who, along with the rest of the jury, was particularly taken with the group’s musicality throughout their program. This included Witold Lutoslawki’s Mini Overture, Kerry Turner’s Ricochet, and Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba as well as the second Ewald quintet.
The ensemble is comprised of Heather Madeira Ni, trumpet, Isabelle Marois, trumpet with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Kristina Mascher, Solo Horn with the Flemish Radio Orchestra, Leon Ni, Solo Trombone with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg and David Polkinhorn, Solo Tuba with the Saarbrucken Radio Orchestra. Each of these players live either in or near Luxembourg, but the German media found it quite funny that none are Luxembourgish - instead the group includes three Americans, one Canadian, and one Englishman. The group wishes to thank Kerry Turner in particular for his support, advice, and music while they prepared for this competition.
