The piano trio received CHF5,000 at the national competition for up-and-coming string ensembles

Trio Basilea

Trio Basilea. (Left-right) Laurențiu Stoian, Zofia Grezelak and Marina Correia Martins

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Trio Basilea took the first prize at the Swiss Chamber Music Competition in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 26 November. The group, comprising violinist Laurențiu Stoian (21, France), cellist Marina Correia Martins (24, Brazil) and pianist Zofia Grzelak (25, Switzerland), received CHF5,000 (£4,500) and the chance to commission a composition of their own.

Second prize and CHF3,000 went to Trio Zarathoustra, while third prize and CHF2,000 were taken by Trio Archai. All three ensembles are studying at the University of Applied Sciences (FHNW) in north-west Switzerland. In addition to the cash prizes, all three ensembles will perform at the Swiss Chamber Music Festival Adelboden, the Musikdorf Ernen Festival, the Zurich Guild Concerts and the Piano Tro Fest Bern.

This year 19 ensembles took part in the competition, which has taken place at music schools around Switzerland for almost 50 years with the aim of supporting young ensembles at the start of their chamber music careers. The jury comprised Heinz Holliger (chair), Benjamin Engeli, Chiara Enderle Samatanga, Sarah Rumer, Daniel Schädeli and Lisa Schatzman.

Photo: courtesy Swiss Chamber Music Competition

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