Success at the German Music Competition

"The MHL clarinettist Paula Breland won first prize at the German Music Competition in the category "Chamber Ensemble New Music" with her trio "[k l a ː ŋ ʃp ɛ k t r ʊ m]".

The trio, whose name is written phonetically as "Klangspektrum", can look forward to comprehensive and long-term support. In addition to invitations to workshops and concerts in Germany and abroad, the trio will also be able to produce a debut CD on the Leipzig label GENUIN.

The first round of the German Music Competition was held digitally this year with 209 participants, the second and third rounds took place in Freiburg from 6 to 13 August. [k l a ː ŋ ʃp ɛ k t r ʊ m] played their way into the final with a programme from Jukka Tiensuu and Friedrich Goldmann as well as a world premiere by René Kuwan in front of a category-specific jury. There the trio presented itself to a total jury of 20 with works by Uroš Rojko, Juliane Klein and Georg Katzer. For Breland and her trio partners Jennifer Aßmus (violoncello, Detmold) and Anna-Katharina Schau (accordion, Hanover), this is a career springboard. "This success is a dream come true for us," says MHL clarinettist Paula Breland. "Since we come from three different federal states, the preparation for the competition was not always easy. All the more reason for us to be happy that all the hours of practising and rehearsing, the many train journeys and the hard work have paid off." Breland has been studying in the master's programme with Jens Thoben, professor of clarinet at the MHL, since 2020. The German Music Competition (DMW) is held annually in changing categories and offers a comprehensive support project for musicians on the threshold from education to professional life. The various support measures following the competition offer the artists who are successful in the DMW practical guidance, financial and non-material support and competent advice on the path to a successful career at home and abroad."