Kammerkoret Hymnia won the Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition
III International Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition has been won by Danish choir Kammerkoret Hymnia led by Flemming Windekilde. The competition was held at the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall on 11-12 September.
The winning choir Kammerkoret Hymnia was awarded with EUR 15 000. The second-placed choir Voces Musicales from Estonia, led by Risto Joost, got EUR 9 000. The third prize EUR 6 000 was divided between two choirs from the British Isles: Choros Amici (led by Chris Mallinson) from Great Britain and New Dublin Voices (led by Bernie Sherlock) from Ireland. The special prize EUR 1 000 of the best interpretation of the obligatory work donated by Hufvudstadsbladet was also awarded to the New Dublin Voices.
The final round was held at the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall on Saturday 12 September at 13.00. There were 6 choirs taking part in the final round. There were altogether ten top quality chamber choirs participating. The competitors came from eight countries: in addition to Finland from the other Nordic countries as well as the Baltic countries and the British Isles.
The prizes were awarded in the gala concert at the Finlandia Hall on 12 September at 20.00. In addition to the finalist choirs there were soprano Mari Palo, pianist Tuula Hällström and Grex Musicus, the best Finnish choir that placed third in the previous competition, led by Marjukka Riihimäki performing at the gala concert.
The chairman of the international jury of the competition was Mats Nilsson from Sweden. The other members were Toomas Kapten (Estonia), Kaspars Putniņš (Latvia), Nils Schweckendiek (Finland/Germany), and Karmina Šilec (Slovenia).
III International Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition was organised by the Sibelius Academy with the main partner Fennia Group.
More information:
Aino Herranen
Competition Secretary
+358 40 710 4389
aino.herranen@siba.fi
www.siba.fi/choircompetition