Reviews & Testimonials
QUOTES
‘There’s no doubt that Melbourne is the chamber music capital of Australia. Hey, let’s just round that up to the Southern Hemisphere.’
— Josephine Vains, Former Competitor and 2023 Preliminary Round Juror
‘If you can’t see it and hear it and experience it, you can’t aspire to it.’
— Lin Bender, Founder of MICMC in 1991
TESTIMONIALS
In 1991 I was fortunate to compete in the inaugural competition in Melbourne as a member of the St. Lawrence Quartet. Winning 2nd prize at that event at a formative and vulnerable time was nothing less than life changing. Having spent hundreds of hours rehearsing and dreaming of a career as a quartet, Melbourne was our first foray into the major international competition scene. We encountered a brilliantly run competition that oozed an ethos of caring and support for emerging artists. We felt empowered and validated, and because of the warmth of the audience and jury, we decided to continue on our journey.
While the prize money was a much-needed benefit, the real prize was the confidence that came from being recognized by the prestigious jury.
Our career exploded in the years following Melbourne and we returned often to Australia building relationships with others, commissioning music of Australian composers and sharing our enthusiasm for the country on our travels.
— Barry Shiffman, Director Banff International String Quartet Competition
MICMC is truly a jewel in the crown of the international chamber music world. Over its history, it has become recognised as one of the pre-eminent ‘Grand Slam’ chamber competitions around the world (alongside Banff, Osaka, Wigmore and Bordeaux), attracting the most exceptional young professional emerging groups, serving as a genuine launchpad for future recognition and success in an increasingly challenging environment…
I feel it is so important to reiterate the esteem and reputation with which it is regarded internationally, and in many ways has created a genuine moment of expectation when the rest of the musical world shifts its gaze directly to Melbourne. For young aspiring musicians and chamber groups, it is the most obvious and motivational learning pillar to which they work towards, and indeed so many groups have already planned ahead, fixing in the presumed dates for future MICMCs, as this goalpost is so important for them.
— Alasdair Tait, past MICMC Jury member and 2027 Jury member
MICMC has been a goal and a launching pad for some of the world’s finest chamber ensembles for decades. I have been both a juror and ensemble mentor, and cannot overstate the national and international importance this competition has for young ensembles, as well as for the city of Melbourne. As Head of Strings at The Australian National Academy of Music I fervently wish that MICMC remains a regular aspiration and showcase for Australia’s hugely talented young ensembles – a chance to mix with the best!
— Howard Penny, cellist, past MICMC Jury member, Head of Strings at ANAM
As an all-Australian trio, we had all grown up listening to MICMC and had been very much inspired by the ensembles of previous Competitions. I remember while I was at the VCA, having long conversations with friends about which ensemble we liked best, and a bunch of us all going along to watch the finals one year and being blown away by the incredibly high quality of playing, and the amazing communication between chamber music partners. It was definitely always a goal for us while we were young students to one day be at a level where we were able to compete in MICMC ourselves…
It was really a great launching pad for our trio, as we were relatively unknown in Australia until that point… it resulted in many future invitations to perform at festivals and music societies around Australia and New Zealand…
One of the best things for us was the people we met through the Competition. MICMC had dozens of volunteers who were absolutely devoted to supporting chamber music and who were very generous with their time and energy… We also met young musicians from all around the world…
MICMC is a very well-run and generous competition. I know it was probably the most sought-after one for all our colleagues in Europe. Unlike other international competitions, MICMC provides ensembles with flights to Australia, accommodation,dedicated rehearsal spaces and fosters genuine collegiality amongst the competitors…
I’d say it is probably one of the highest level chamber music competitions in the world.
— Emma Jardine, violinist of the Streeton Trio, 2011 competitor
AUDIENCE REVIEWS
Every four years I look forward excitedly to the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. I have never been disappointed in the performances as even the ensembles that do not make it to the finals are extraordinary. I do hope all of these 13 groups come back to Australia to enrich us with their sublime performances. I walked out of this concert on a high, feeling very fortunate to have experienced this sublime and diverse music. We are fortunate to have such talented emerging (!) young international artists coming to our lands… the logistics behind getting so many groups to perform throughout such an intense week does not come without a lot of backing.
— Peter Hagen, harpsichordist, review in Classikon 2023
The Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition is one of the world’s richest and most loved chamber music competitions. Past winners, on the whole, have gone on to stellar careers. These include the Gould Trio (1991), Eggner Trio (2003) and Giocoso Quartet (2015) who have recently toured for Musica Viva…
Melbourne’s Brigid Coleridge, Australian member of a trio understands the buzz, and has been to many of the competitions as a young violinist studying in Melbourne. “Going to the competition and listening to it on the radio was very exciting and energising for me as a student. My younger self still can’t quite believe that I’ll be taking part this year!”
— Josephine Vains, cellist, MICMC competitor in 1999
Read Josie’s blog describing her experience as an audience member at the 2018 competition.
The question is often asked: why take part in competitions?
The answers and emphases will vary, but competitors mostly point to the intense preparation and detailed work on some of the great works of the repertoire as being an important part of their development.
Exposure is also important to the ensembles. Live streaming delivers their performances to large audiences; the jury is high-profile and influential… this presents a strong opportunity to show what fine musicians they are through the international stage of Melbourne’s MICMC.
There is also the opportunity to travel. MICMC is rather unique in that travel costs for ensembles are covered. Even the United Kingdom’s esteemed Wigmore Hall competition will only cover an air ticket for the cello! One of the younger ensembles admitted to me that they would not have been able to compete were it not for their travel costs being covered.
There is also a personal side to the Melbourne competition. Some 50 volunteers assist with various aspects of running the event, from ushers to ensemble hosts who show the players around [and respond to requests for all kinds of assistance].
— John Garran in CutCommon 1918
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