I
The Ljubljana Festival International Competition – Brass Quintets and Quartets (hereinafter called the Competition), organised by Festival Ljubljana (hereinafter called the Organiser), will be held in Ljubljana from 24 February to 1 March 2025.
II
The Competition is open to professional brass quintets and quartets (hereinafter called Ensembles) of all nationalities. The ensembles allowed to apply are:
Brass quintets:
- 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba
Brass quartets:
- 4 trombones
- 4 horns
- 4 tubas
- 1 euphonium, 3 tubas
- 2 euphoniums, 2 tubas
III
An individual musician is only allowed to apply as part of one Ensemble.
IV
The average age of all the members of an Ensemble must not exceed 30 years at the start of the Competition, February 24, 2025.
V
Ensembles wishing to enter the Competition will have to submit the required application documents by September 15, 2024. If accepted by the Preliminary Round Jury, ensembles are required to participate in the Competition held in the Slovenian Philharmonic in Ljubljana from February 24 to March 1, 2025. Round 1 performances will begin on February 24 lasting until February 26, 2025. Round 2 will take place from February 28 to March 1, 2025.
VI
Applications must include:
- A link to a 15- to 20-minute video recording of the Ensemble’s performance. The Ensemble needs to upload the video recording to their YouTube channel and make it an unlisted video, only accessible to those with the link. The video must be recorded with high audio quality and a fixed filming angle, and with the members’ hands and faces visible. The programme used for the video recording can eventually be included in the following rounds of Competition. The video recordings should not be older than six months.
- Birth certificates, passports or national identity cards have to be submitted as proof of age for all members of the Ensemble, showing their average age does not exceed 30 years at the start of the Competition, February 24, 2025.
- Three current photographs of the Ensemble to be used in Competition publications (electronic version 300–1200 dpi; accepted formats – jpg, gif, bmp, jpeg).
- A biography of the Ensemble in English, to a maximum of 250 words.
- The name of the mentor or leader of the group and their contact email and telephone number.
- A complete list of the repertoire to be performed in the Preliminary Round (video selection) and Rounds 1 and 2 of the Competition with accurate timings for each piece.
- Proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee of 200 EUR for quartets and 250 EUR for quintets to the Organiser’s bank account. If the application fee is not paid, the application will not be reviewed by the Preliminary Jury.
VII
The application and all correspondence relating to the participation in the Competition should be in English. If the Ensemble fails to meet the abovementioned requirements or does not provide complete information, the Organiser may reject their application.
VIII
The applications should be made using the electronic form available on the official Competition website. No other method of submission will be accepted. The applications should be submitted no later than midnight, September 15, 2024 (Central European Time).
IX
By submitting the application, the Ensemble confirms their acceptance of the competition rules. The Ensemble will receive a formal confirmation of their application by email.
X
It is the Ensemble’s responsibility to take all the necessary steps so that the application can be submitted by the deadline. The Organiser cannot be held responsible if an application is not received on time.
XI
All applications will be reviewed by the Jury of the Preliminary Round, consisting of three renowned musicians, based on the Preliminary Round Rules. The Organiser of the Competition will appoint the members of this Jury.
XII
The Jury of the Preliminary Round will in principle admit no less than 15 and no more than 20 Ensembles into Round 1 of Competition. The Preliminary Jury will also select 5 Ensembles to be considered part of the waiting list. The results will be published on the Organiser’s website no later than October 21, 2024. All the Ensembles selected for Round 1 of the Competition and those selected for the waiting list will also be contacted via email.
XIII
The Competition will consist of two separate rounds. The Competition Jury will consist of a distinguished international panel of five musicians appointed by the Organiser of the Competition. The Competition Jury will in principle advance no more than six Ensembles to Round 2 of the Competition.
XIV
The Organiser will make practice rooms available to all Ensembles at the Vič-Rudnik Music School (Gradaška ulica 24, 1000 Ljubljana). The rooms will be available from February 23 to March 1, 2025.
XV
On the day before the Competition begins, February 23, 2025, there will be an introductory meeting at which at least one member of each Ensemble must be present. The meeting will be held in the morning hours in the Slovenian Philharmonic in Ljubljana.
XVI
The order of performances for Round 1 will be determined by drawing at the introductory meeting on February 23, 2025, and published on the Competition website. The order of performances in Round 2 will follow the order of Round 1. The Organiser of the Competition reserves the right to change the order of performances in both rounds for organisational or programme-related reasons.
XVII
The Organiser will not assist the members of the Ensembles in obtaining Slovenian visas. If needed, the Organiser will provide a note in the form of an invitation letter confirming their participation in the Competition.
XVIII
The Competition Jury has the right to interrupt Ensembles at any time during their performances.
XIX
Members of the Ensembles are not permitted to have contact with any Competition Jury member during their participation in the Competition. Failure to observe this rule may lead to disqualification of the Ensemble.
XX
The Competition will be open to the public.
XXI
In the Preliminary Round, the Ensembles need to perform a programme that should last no less than 15 and no more than 20 minutes. In Round 1, the Ensembles need to perform a programme that should last no less than 35 and no more than 40 minutes. In Round 2, the Ensembles need to perform a recital with a programme that should last no less than 45 and no more than 50 minutes.
XXII
The programmes to be performed by the Ensembles are the following:
– BRASS QUINTET
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1. V. Ewald: Brass Quintet No. 2, Op. 6
Ed. G. Schirmer (Empire Brass)
2. J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C minor, BWV 847
(No edition)
Contact: italianwonderbrass@gmail.com
ROUND 1
1. W. Lutosławski: Mini Ouverture for Brass Quintet
Ed. Chester Music
2. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)
Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com
3. L. Bernstein: Dance Suite for Brass Quintet
Ed. Boosey & Hawkes
4. One of the following pieces:
H.W. Henze: Fragments from a Show
Ed. Schott
or
A. Hillborg:Brass Quintet
Ed. Faber Music
or
U. Krek: Spinning Wheel
Ed. DSS
5. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)
ROUND 2
1. L. Berio: Call
Ed. Universal Edition
2. D. Schnyder: Brass Quintet
Ed. Marc Reift
3. One of the following pieces:
J.A. Gimeno: Quinteto para metal
Ed. Editions Bim
or
V. Persichetti: Parable II for Brass Quintet, Op. 108
Ed. Theodore Presser Company
or
J. Bach: Laudes
Ed. Galaxy Music Corporation
4. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)
– TROMBONE QUARTET
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1. G.Ph. Telemann, arr. A. Lumsden: Concerto a 4 for Trombones
Ed. Breitkopf & Härtel
2. E. Bozza: Three Pieces for Trombone Quartet
Ed. Leduc Paris
ROUND 1
1. J.Fr. Michel: Jubilee Ouverture for Trombone Quartet
Ed. Woodbrass Music SA
2. N. Šenk:Comissioned composition (10 min)
Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com
3. One of the following pieces:
J. Koetsier: Five Impromptus for Four Trombones
Ed. Marc Reift
or
R. Szentpáli: From Within for Trombone Quartet
Ed. Editions Bim
or
K. Serocki: Suite for Four Trombones
Ed. Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
4. One piece of free choice
ROUND 2
1. S. Apon: First Trombone Quartet
Ed. Warwick Music
2. A. Vivaldi, arr. J. Tilde: Concerto for Four Trombones
Ed. Gerard Billaudot
3. J. Bark – F. Rabe: Bolos
Ed. Wilhelm Hansen Stockholm
4. One of the following pieces:
A. Plog: Trombone Quartet Nr. 1 “Densities”
Ed. Editions Bim
L. Krajnčan: Suit Latin
Ed. Marc Reift
or
J. Filas: Satans Opfern, Fantasy for Trombone Quartet
Ed. Editions Bim
5. One piece of free choice
– HORN QUARTET
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1. J. S. Bach, arr. M. Linke: Fugue from Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B-flat major, BWV 866
Ed. Grell Verlag Hans Kröll
2. A. Mitushin: Concertino for Horn Quartet
Ed. Southern Music
3. G. Rossini, arr. E. Leloir:Le Rendez-vous de la chasse (en Mi bémol)
Ed. N. Simrock
ROUND 1
1. C. Homilius: Horn Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 38
Ed. Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag
2. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)
Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com
3. M. Tippett: Sonata for Four Horns
Ed. Schott Music
4. One piece of free choice (5-6 min)
ROUND 2
1. K. Turner:Quartet No. 1, for Four Horns
Ed. Phoenix Music Publications
2. L. Kranjčan: Quartet for Friends
Ed. Marc Reift
3. W. Pirchner: Born for Horn, for Horn Quartet PWV 36
Ed. Doubliger
4. One piece of free choice (10 min)
– TUBA QUARTET
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1. D. Buxtehude, arr. J. Mazura: Canzonetta in D Minor
Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com
2. W.A. Mozart, arr. J. Fletcher: Tuba Serenade
Ed. Emerson Edition Ltd.
3. J. Stevens: Moondance
Ed. Editions Bim
ROUND 1
1. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition
Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com
2. F. Couperin, arr. M. Forbes: Les Barricades Mystérieuses (The Mysterious Barricades)
3. L. Dubrovay: Brummadza’s Dance
4. R. Szentpáli: Homework for 4 Tubas
Ed. Editions Bim
or
M. Forbes: Consequences
5. One piece of free choice
ROUND 2
1. F. Hidas: Tuba Quartet
Ed. Musikverlag Bruno Uetz
2. Z. Kodály, arr. A. Korb: Kállai kettős
Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com
3. C. Chaplin, arr. J. Mazura: Smile
Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com
4. M. Forbes: Deus ex machina
5. C. Saint-Saëns, arr. S. Hanson: Adagio from Symphony No. 3
6. R. Schumann, arr. T. Wyss: Träumerei (from Kinderszenen)
Ed. Frank Musikverlag
7. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)
– EUPHONIUM/TUBA QUARTET
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1. J. S. Bach, arr. M. Forbes: Chaconne from Partita in D Minor
or
A. Vivaldi /J. S. Bach, arr. M. Forbes: Concerto
2. S. Bulla: Celestial Suite, Second Quartet for Low Brass
Ed. Winwood Music GN174245
ROUND 1
1. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)
Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com
2. M. Forbes: Concerto for Tuba-Euphonium Quartet
and
J. Koetsier: Wolkenschatten, Op. 136, for Tuba Quartet
Ed. Marc Reift EMR 479
or
J. Duda: Tuba Quartet
Contact: joerg.duda@t-online.de
The ensemble can perform pieces by composers M. Forbes and J. Koetsier (total 20 min) or only J. Duda’s composition (20 min).
ROUND 2
1. E. Crausaz: Old Legend for Tuba Quartet
Ed. Woodbrass Music
2. E. Crespo: Three Milongas for Four Tubas
Ed. Lydke Musikverlag GN351093
3. Y. Jan Trede: Tuba Quartet
Ed. Edition Svitzer
4. One or more pieces of free choice (10-15 min)
XXIII
Ensembles can include works from the Preliminary Round in Rounds 1 and 2. However, in Round 2 Ensembles cannot include any works already performed in Round 1.
XXIV
Details of any programme changes must be sent no later than midnight, November 30, 2024 (Central European Time). After this date, the repertoire of any of the two rounds cannot be changed.
XXV
The use of adaptations is allowed. If an adaptation is used, the author of the adaptation needs to be stated.
XXVI
Ensembles must provide one copy of the score for all the pieces that will be performed in the two rounds. The scores need to be provided via email to the Organiser, no later than January 30, 2025.
XXVII
In the event of an illness or accident, officially confirmed by a medical professional, an Ensemble may be permitted to perform outside the established order of performances, at the end of the round in question.
XXVIII
One change in the membership of an Ensemble (from the application to the first day of the Competition) is permissible, if due to important professional or personal circumstances, at the discretion of the Competition Jury.
XXIX
The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the Competition.
XXX
Ensembles must arrange their own travel and accommodation.
XXXI
The following main prizes may be awarded to the top three Ensembles:
- 1st Prize: 20,000 EUR
- 2nd Prize: 15,000 EUR
- 3rd Prize: 10,000 EUR
- 4th Prize: 2,000 EUR
- 5th Prize: 1,500 EUR
- 6th Prize: 1,000 EUR
Special diplomas may also be awarded for the following best performances:
- Best performance of an obligatory work by the Slovenian composer Nina Šenk: 2,000 EUR
- The highest ranked Ensemble representing Slovenia (all members of the Ensemble need to be Slovene citizens): 2,000 EUR
The sums above are subject to the applicable tax deductions as required by law.
XXXII
The Competition Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
XXXIII
The members of the Competition Jury reserve the right not to award all the listed prizes and special diplomas.
XXXIV
The results of the Competition will be officially presented at a ceremony on March 1, 2025 after the Competition Jury has reached its final decisions. The results will also be made public on the Competition website.
XXXV
The Organiser is in the process of negotiating several recitals for the winning Ensemble.
XXXVI
Each Ensemble that applies to the competition:
- Agrees with radio and television broadcasts of their performances.
- Agrees with live audio-video broadcasting and with broadcasting of the recording of entire performances on the Organiser’s official website and Facebook page, and use of the entire video recording of all their performances for the promotional purposes of the Organiser (promo videos, YouTube channel, Vimeo, social networks, official Competition website, and so on).
- Agrees that the Organiser can share the promotional video recordings with their partners/sponsors, which they can then use on their websites and social media accounts.
- Will transfer to the Organiser all property rights to any related photographs, statements, and interviews.
XXXVII
Any matter not provided for in the rules will be subject to Slovenian law. Any legal disputes will be negotiated mutually, and disputes arbitrated in the local court in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
XXXVIII
In case of doubt, the Slovenian language version of these rules will be used in interpreting and clarifying their provisions.
