It’s only 20 minutes but Felix Rahimpour’s whole world lies in those 20 minutes on Friday. He has been waiting for this day for months, preparing for it for hours, only to be disappointed in himself and his performance in the end. “I should have practiced more intensively,” he says. His buddy replies: “You’re never satisfied with yourself.” Felix Rahimpour shrugs, he’s used to competitions like this. The 16-year-old student from Neufahrn has been playing the piano since he was five years old and has taken part in Jugend musiziert several times. Even today, at the 60th regional competition in the music school in Freising, he sits behind the grand piano.
With Felix Rahimpour, there are around 140 children and young people from the districts of Freising and Erding who will face the critical ears of the jury this weekend. After four years it’s that time again: The largest music competition takes place regularly and in attendance at the music school in Freising. Over two days, children and young people between the ages of five and 19 compete in categories such as piano, singing, guitar, drum set, chamber music for string, woodwind or brass instruments, accordion and contemporary music. Divided into their respective age groups, the best ones continue to the state competition, which takes place in Passau at the end of March.
Just before the performance: Fridolin and Emilian are ready with their cellos.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
Xaver Mair from Landshut and Theo Becker (right) from Taufkirchen play the accordion.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt/Marco Einfeldt)
It is quiet in the hall as Johannes Wiedenhofer lets his fingers glide gently over the keys of the black grand piano. The 17-year-old student from Langenbach knows exactly what he wants to achieve today: move up one level and play in the state competition. It’s not his first time playing music at Jugend, he’s already taken part in the competition in different categories. Last year he even made it into the national competition with the piano, although he only started learning the instrument at the age of nine. Unlike its competition, that’s late. Most of them start practicing at the age of four or five in order to one day play as virtuously as Johannes Wiedenhofer does today.
He only started preparing for the regional competition four weeks ago. That, too, is unusual, as the head of the music school, Odilo Zapf, knows: “The majority usually decides to take part in the summer or autumn.” On this Friday afternoon, Zapf himself is a member of the jury in the music school’s pavilion. Together with piano teacher Martin Keeser and conductor Christoph Schäfer from Regensburg, he evaluates the performance of the young virtuosos.
Eight-year-old Elinda unpacks her violin in the recital room.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt/Marco Einfeldt)
For today’s audition, Johannes Wiedenhofer chose pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Arnold Schönberg and Frédéric Chopin. “Chopin was the hardest,” says Johannes, visibly relieved after the 20-minute prelude is over. In the corridor in front of the hall he meets Felix Rahimpour, who played in front of him. “I only heard your ending, but I thought it was really good,” says Johannes to Felix. Felix grins embarrassed, admits again that he is not satisfied with himself today. The two practice almost three hours a day, in addition to school and learning for the final exams. There is not much time left for leisure time fun. “Fortunately, I don’t find it difficult at school,” says Johannes Wiedenhofer.
In the past four years, auditions like this weekend in the music school have been rare. Playing in front of an audience, and then in front of a jury that evaluates your own performance, makes stage fright skyrocket for many. “Due to the corona pandemic, many lack experience,” says music school director Odilo Zapf. Nevertheless, he and his team are happy that there is finally hustle and bustle in the house again – even if such a weekend of youth music is a “huge organizational effort”.
Jochen Zhiyuan Guan from Wolfersdorf auditions on the grand piano at the “Jugend musiziert” competition.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
At just five years old, Emma Marlene Kramm from Moosinning is the youngest participant in front of this jury on the piano.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt/Marco Einfeldt)
Cosima Maria Heilmaier from Erding brought her whole family to the music school to support her. Her excitement is limited: “It’s a mix of joy and tension,” says the young pianist. Shortly before the audition, she checks with her mother again whether she has all the notes with her. Then the door of the hall opens and Cosima’s exam begins.
The music school puts the results online on the evening of the respective competition day. Felix Rahimpour’s concern was completely unfounded: With 23 points, he got first place and will be forwarded to the state competition. Johannes Wiedenhofer and Cosima Maria Heilmaier also go to Passau with 25 points.