Ensayo sobre bach

MEL BAY PRESENTS

ON COMPETITIONS
Dealing With Perjormance!-ST-R-E I S--5
By Denis Azabagic

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© 2003 BY MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, INC., PACIFIC, MO 63069.

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Table of Contents

The Concept of Music and Competitions Choosing a Competition Repertoire of Selection How to Prepare for a Competition
TIMBRE

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TONE QUALITY

TECHNIQUE MUSICALITY STAGE PRESENCE MENTAL PREPARATION IMAGINATION PLAYING IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE, TESTING THE PROGRAM AND FIXING TROUBLE SPOTS

The Day of the Performance
THE JURY

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Final Round withConcerto Financing the Cost of Participation in a Competition International Competitions and Prizes I Have Won 1999-2000 GFA Tour Reflections List of International Guitar Competitions ,

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I would like to thank my wife Eugenia Moliner for her support during my many years of attending music competitions. Her support and encouragement during the crucial moments helped meachieve my goals. When my spirit quivered she gave me strength. Thank you Eugenia!

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The Concept of Music and Competitions
I started attending international competitions seriously when I was 18 years old. After a few years of competing I started to think about the purpose and meaning of music competitions. Some questions came to my mind, like: "How much sense is there in comparing two or moreperformances? Does winning a competi­ tion mean you are the best or does it make you a good player or a musician? Can art be compared at all?" Well, after a while I think I have found some answers to those questions, at least answers that are good enough for me. First of all, I think that it is not possible to compare certain things, like the music of Bach and Mozart! Very often people have askedme who my favorite composer is, and I am sure you have been asked the same question at some point. I can't answer a question like that. Throughout history, there have been many genius composers, and it is impossible to pick the best. However, how many times do we talk about who is our favorite guitarist, flutist, violinist, orchestra, etc? When you listen to a few players in a series of concerts,you talk to your friends and colleagues, and you discuss certain issues, such as what you liked and what not. Similarly at competitions, you can listen to others and say whom you liked and whom not.
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We all compare things; it is in our nature to do so. In a competition, the same situation occurs, but there are a few people (the jury) who decide the whole game. How many times have Iheard the opinions of people who listened to a competition and who were saying that jury was wrong, that they do not know what they are doing. I have been one of those people myself. The only time I would have nothing to say was when I would win. Yes, winning makes everything look very good. So, if we are to go to a competition, we have to accept the fact that there will be judges who will make thedecisions whether we like them or not. They will compare all the performances they hear and give their opinion about them, the same as we would do. The dif­ ference is that what they say counts in the competition result. That does not, however, mean that they are right. All humans make mistakes and judging is also a very personal and subjective matter. Still, I think there is sense in competing....