Brass 2025

Rules

Kodály Competition Debrecen – Brass 2025
5-13 July, 2025
Debrecen

General information

The Competition is open to horn, trumpet and trombone players of all nationalities who were born on or after 5 July 1995 (maximum 30 years of age on the opening day of the competition).

The Competition takes place in four rounds: Qualifying Round, 1st Round, 2nd Round and 3rd Round. All rounds except the Qualifying Round are open to the public.

Horn, trumpet and trombone players will compete in the same category.

The jury will advance max. 18 instrumentalists to the 2nd Round (at least 3 horn, 3 trumpet and 3 trombone player), and 6 to the 3rd Round (at least 1 horn, 1 trumpet and 1 trombone player).

Application

Application is open from 31 October 2024 until 31 January 2025

By submitting an application, the contestant accepts the rules of the Competition.

All applications must be made using the form available on the competition’s website and must include:

  • completed application form
  • attachments:
    • copy of passport (or ID in case of EU citizens)
    • high resolution portrait photo (at least 300 dpi, min. 2 MB)
    • brief biography (approx. 1000 characters)
  • video recordings of the 2 compulsory pieces (see under Repertoire – Qualifying Round)
    • audio-only recordings are not accepted
    • the two compulsory pieces must be recorded in two separate videos
    • pieces must be recorded in their entirety and must be unedited
    • videos must show the musician as he/she is playing
    • videos should be made by one fixed camera
    • videos must be submitted by providing a link (Youtube or Vimeo)
  • repertoire of the contestant & information about piano accompaniment.

Contestants accepted to the 1st Round will be notified no later than 3 March 2025. The list of admitted applicants will also be published on the Competition’s website. Some of the applicants will be placed on a waiting list and will be alerted if he/she gets admitted due to others dropping out.

The repertoire submitted at the time of application can be modified until 31 March 2025 by sending an e-mail to kimc(at)kodalycompetition.com

Application fee

The entry fee of EUR 100 is only to be paid by contestants approved to the 1st Round. Contestants will be informed about the method of payment after qualifying. The entry fee shall not be reimbursed under any circumstances.

Travel & accommodation expenses are to be covered by the competitors, but some special rate offers from the Competition’s partners (hotels, restaurants etc.) will be made available.

Rules of the Competition

The order of appearance in the 1st Round will be determined by drawing on 5 July 2025. The order will be maintained throughout the competition.

The contestant will choose the order in which he/she will play the different works in his/her programme. Piano accompanists will be provided by the Competition, but candidates are also allowed to bring their own accompanists. 

Competitors consent to making video/audio recordings, live streaming/live radio broadcasts, and to taking of photos during the event. Participation in the competition is subject to the condition that the competition owns the rights thereto, and the competitor may not claim royalties.

The Jury’s votes are strictly confidential. Any jury member who is a relative or teacher of a competitor may not vote on that competitor nor discuss that competitor’s performance with other members of the Jury. The Jury’s decision is final and there is no right of appeal.


Rounds

5 July 2025

Opening Ceremony

6-8 July 2025

1st round

9-10 July 2025

2nd round

11 July 2025

Orchestra rehearsal

12 July 2025

3rd round

13 July 2025

Award Ceremony & Gala Concert

Repertoire

Qualifying Round – Video Recording

(1) L. Cherubini: Horn Sonata No. 2 in F Major
(2) V. Reynolds: 48 Etudes – one Etude free of choice: Etude No. 2 or No. 3 (without repeats)

1st round

(1) One of the following pieces with piano:

  • M. Seiber: Notturno
  • V. D. Kirchner: Tre poemi (2 movements)*

(2) One of the following solo pieces:

  • E-P. Salonen: Concert Étude for Solo Horn
  • D. Schnyder: Le monde minuscule (3 movements)*
  • P. M. Davies: Sea Eagle (2 movements)*
  • R. Szentpáli: HOyeRN (1st and 2nd mov.)

2nd round

(1) 1st & 2nd movement of one of the following concertos (with piano):

  • Mozart: Horn Concerto in E-flat major, K. 495
  • Mozart: Horn Concerto in E-flat major, K. 417
  • Haydn: Horn Concerto in D major, Hob VIId:3

(2) One of the following pieces:

  • R. Strauss: Andante op. Posth
  • C. Saint-Saëns: Romance op. 67
  • A. Glazunov: Rêverie
  • E. Chabrier: Larghetto

(3) New composition for horn and piano – TBA

3rd round

One of the following pieces:

  • J. Pauer: Horn Concerto (1957)
  • F. Hidas: Horn Concerto No. 1

*free of choice

Qualifying Round – Video Recording

(1) A. Honegger: Intrada for Trumpet and Piano
(2) T. Charlier: Études transcendantes – one etude free of choice:  No. 2 or No. 8  on B flat or on C-trumpet 

1st round

(1) One of the following baroque concertos:

  • J. F. Fasch: Trumpet Concerto D major
  • J. W. Hertel: Trumpet Concerto D major No. 3
  • L. Mozart: Trumpet Concerto D major

(2) One of the following contemporary solo pieces:

  • K. Lendvai: Two Capriccios for Trumpet (on C-trumpet)
  • V. Persichetti: Parable XIV. for trumpet op. 127
  • H. W. Henze: Sonatina for Trumpet
  • T. Takemitsu: Path for Trumpet

2nd round

(1) One of the following pieces:

  • O. Böhme: Concerto for Trumpet op. 18 – I. movement Allegro moderato
  • V. Brandt: Concertpiece No. 1  f minore
  • V. Brandt: Concertpiece No. 2  E flat major

(2) One of the following pieces:

  • G. Enescu: Legend
  • J. Francaix: Sonatine pour trompette
  • L. Stekke: Concerto op. 17
  • L. Dubrovay: Valse triste et trés vite

(3) New composition for trumpet and piano – TBA

3rd round

One of the following pieces:

  • H. Tomasi: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
  • A. Desenclose: Incantation, Thrène, et Danse for Trumpet and Orchestra

Qualifying Round – Video Recording

(1) S. Sulek: Sonata for trombone and piano
(2) C. Kopprasch: Etude No. 35

1st round

(1) One of the following pieces:

  • G. B. Pergolesi: Sinfonia for Trombone and Piano (arr. by Ralph Sauer)
  • G. P. Telemann: Solo for Flute No. 2 (arr. for trombone)*
  • L. Mozart: Concerto for Alto trombone

(2) One of the following contemporary solo pieces:

  • M. Malek: Concert etude for trombone
  • F. Rabe: Basta
  • E. Crespo: Improvisation No. 1

2nd round

(1) One of the following pieces:

  • F. David: Trombone Concertino (1st & 2nd movement)
  • F. Martin: Ballade

(2) One of the following pieces:

  • N. Rota: Trombone Concerto (1st & 2nd movement)
  • D. Milhaud: Concertino d’ Hiver
  • J. Sári: Ananta

(3) New composition for trombone and piano – TBA

3rd round

One of the following pieces:

  • F. Hidas: Concerto for Trombone
  • E. Bloch: Symphony for Trombone and Orchestra

 

*Telemann: Fantasie in F minor (Alan Raph’s trombone transcription or any other transcription may be chosen)


Prizes

1st Prize

EUR 15.000

2nd Prize

EUR 10.000

3rd Prize

EUR 6.000
4th Prize
EUR 4.000
5th Prize
EUR 3.000
6th Prize
EUR 2.000

The Jury reserves the right not to award certain prizes. Prizes can be divided and are taxable under Hungarian tax laws in force at the time of the Competition.

Concert engagements and other special prizes will be offered to the finalists (the list will be continuously updated):

Special Prize of the Hungarian Academy of Arts’ Section of Music for the best Hungarian competitor