In Europe, the idea of the "pièce du concours," a work written by a prominent composer for the special purpose of interpretation by contestants in a competition, is a time-honored tradition. The ARD International Competition in Munich, headed by Christoph Poppen, commissions several such works per annum, and 11 from the years 2002-2004 appear collected on Oehms Classics' 21st Century Instrumental Solos. The disc features the talents of contestants who have received the prize for "Best Interpretation of a Commissioned Work." ...
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In Europe, the idea of the "pièce du concours," a work written by a prominent composer for the special purpose of interpretation by contestants in a competition, is a time-honored tradition. The ARD International Competition in Munich, headed by Christoph Poppen, commissions several such works per annum, and 11 from the years 2002-2004 appear collected on Oehms Classics' 21st Century Instrumental Solos. The disc features the talents of contestants who have received the prize for "Best Interpretation of a Commissioned Work." Although not intended for such a purpose, for those across the pond, 21st Century Instrumental Solos serves as a useful survey of contemporary composers active in Europe in the early part of the twenty first century.The most rewarding among the new works found here are those by Heinz Holliger and Peteris Vasks. The Holliger works, for solo bassoon and harp, respectively, embody everything a competition piece should be -- difficult but rewarding to play, interesting musically, and...
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