Competition won

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The winner of the "Styrian Harmonica Competition 2024": Philip Pscheidt from Weiz, 13 years old(Bild: ORF/Regine Schoettl)

Philip Pscheidt has won the final of this year's harmonica competition in Lannach. The 13-year-old from Weiz has been playing the Styrian harmonica since he was six years old. "This was the most important competition for me so far," said the prizewinner. 

Philip Pscheidt came out on top against three other finalists and one finalist - Philipp Herbst, Nina Jeitler, Matthias Moritz and Dominik Peiser. His performances of "Tanzboden Landler" (compulsory piece) and "Im Eilschritt nach St. Peter" (freestyle piece) helped him to victory. He received 76 points for this (80 are possible).

He was awarded first prize, a Styrian harmonica from the Strasser company. All the other finalists also received non-cash prizes from the Styrian Folk Song Society.

Pscheidt has been playing the harmonica since he was six years old and also performs as an ensemble with his sister and a friend in his spare time.

Presenter Paul Prattes with the finalists of the "Styrian Harmonica Competition 2024" Nina Jeitler (from Dörfl/Ilz, 14 years old), Philip Pscheidt (from Weiz, 13 years old), Philipp Herbst (from St. Radegund near Graz, 14 years old), Matthias Moritz (from Voitsberg, 14 years old) and Dominik Peiser (from Gratwein-Straßengel, 14 years old)(Bild: ORF/Regine Schoettl)

The jury, from left: Christian Hartl (folk music teacher and music school director), Christine Gutzelnig (Radio Steiermark folk culture presenter), Karl Lenz (Radio Steiermark folk culture presenter) and Franz Posch (presenter of "Mei liabste Weis")(Bild: ORF/Regine Schoettl)

Jury chooses the winner
A prominent jury of experts - Christine Gutzelnig, Christian Hartl, Karl Lenz and Franz Posch - had the difficult task of evaluating the individual performances and choosing the best young harmonica player in Styria.

The competition was televised by ORF Styria and can be viewed online.