Competition in the final

Hoppalas also happen when talented musicians make music

(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

Playing a wrong note is unimportant, but playing without passion is unforgivable. As Ludwig van Beethoven said: he was right! And there is no lack of passion and skill at the prima la musica youth music competition, which is taking place this week at the CMA Ossiach, accompanied by the Kärntner Krone. 290 talented musicians, competing in 16 categories, are vying for a place on the podium.

A small slip-up is also allowed at the national competition. Because amidst all the excitement, the judges, who come from all over Austria, always turn a blind eye. "Mistakes sometimes happen because the children are excited, but that doesn't matter, it's just part of it," says Gernot Ogris, head of the state's music schools. But it's not just a minor slip-up that can happen, minor slip-ups also occur.

"We simply forgot our sheet music when we went down from the stage. Then there was applause twice," says Theresa. She plays the trombone in the Spittal-based ensemble "Kool & the Brass". Trumpeter Jakob from the cool brass band, who won 1st prize with distinction, says: "We are totally satisfied, our performance was good."

The Brass Five ensemble: Brandon, Simon, Jakob and sisters Marie and Sophie. Like all the participants, their outfits are totally adorable. The five of them were happy with their performance.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

The little musicians from "Kool & the Brass" come from Radenthein and the surrounding area. Laurenz, Sebastian, Jakob, Theresa and Samuel are pupils at the Spittal music school. The idea for the suspenders came from their ensemble teacher.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

Eva Rauter (16) is also at the forefront. The high school student already has prima la musica experience, having already won places on the podium. She practices for two hours every day.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

The girls from "Flute Connection", Clarissa, Anna Maria, Alisa and Paula had a lot of fun. They love the flute and, as you can see, the sneakers that go with their concert outfits.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

There was a small problem one day before the performance: David's guitar suddenly rattled. "Thank God we managed to fix it." David won a place in the Stocker competition and will be going to the national competition in May.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

The violin is queen for Luisa. She wants to play as beautifully as her mother Martina one day. Her sister Sophia accompanied her on a Boar dance. Because folk music is really fun.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

Tabita (8) discovered the violin five years ago: "It sounds absolutely beautiful." One of her four pieces is called Dragonfly: "It's really funny, I always imagine a fly buzzing around on stage."(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

So there was also praise and tips from the jury. Guitarist David (11) from Klagenfurt was very excited: "Yesterday evening when I was practicing, the guitar suddenly rattled so strangely in the sound box. But we managed to fix it." Because playing a competition on someone else's instrument: "That's not possible." Among other things, David fought a musical bullfight on stage: "A very funny piece."

A fly also buzzed on stage 
Eight-year-old Tabita discovered the violin at the age of five. "It sounds so beautiful." Tabita from Grafenstein attends the St. Kanzian music school, where she is accompanied by violin teacher Brigitte Komposch. "I'm so hungry," she says to her mom and tastes the bread in the foyer. Then it's time to rehearse before the big performance.

Tabita received a first prize
The little violinist has rehearsed four pieces for the competition. "I've been here before, for the 100-day exercise challenge," reveals Tabita. One of her four pieces is by Sheila Nelson and is called Dragonfly: "It's really funny, I always imagine a fly buzzing around." Like many of the participants on Thursday and this week, Tabita mastered her performance brilliantly: "I'm not nervous at all." And she won first prize.

Piece about the rollercoaster
Luisa from Oswaldiberg also performed on the violin. The eight-year-old attends the Villach music school and has been playing the violin for three years. "Now I also play the Styrian harmonica, which is also very cool." She performed one piece together with her sister Sophia. "Folk music runs in our family, grandpa, grandma and mom often play with us," says Sophia. 

There was a small problem one day before the performance: David's guitar suddenly rattled. "Thank goodness we managed to fix it." David achieved a place in the Stocker competition and will be going to the national competition in May.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

The violin is queen for Luisa. She wants to play as beautifully as her mother Martina one day. Her sister Sophia accompanied her on a Boar dance. Because folk music is really fun.(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

Tabita (8) discovered the violin five years ago: "It sounds absolutely beautiful." One of her four pieces is called Dragonfly: "It's really funny, I always imagine a fly buzzing around on stage."(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

That's why mom is little Luisa's biggest role model: "Mom plays so beautifully, I want to be able to do that too." Luisa is taking part in a music competition for the first time. Among other things, she has brought along a piece about the rollercoaster in the Vienna Prater. 

With stage fright and a fluttering heart
In the hallway, the stage fright is palpable among the offspring, who all arrive with their fan club. With red cheeks and sometimes even a bit of palpitations, they are eagerly awaiting their performance. Guitarist Eva Rauter (16) has been playing guitar for nine years: "I think the older I get, the more nervous I get."

But a little excitement is part of it: "There has to be a little breeze, it usually subsides after the first few notes." The Spittal native has already taken part in the competition several times: "It's great, so I know where I stand musically." But she doesn't want to become a musician: "It will always be my hobby, because I love the sound of the guitar."

High praise for the talent
Behind the time-honored monastery walls, we also meet former mayor Johann Huber in the foyer, who has high praise for the talents. The 70-year-old was a regular at the prima la musica concerts during his time in office: "It's simply wonderful to be here and experience how musical the young people are. But also to experience that there are so many talented people who live for music and how young people behave so impeccably."

By Thursday evening, there were already some participants who will take part in the national competition (May 18 to June 1) in Bolzano. However, the talents are only allowed to go there from the age of ten. But even the youngest offspring under the age of ten took numerous places on the podium.