Under the High Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Paola
Onder de Hoge Bescherming van Hare Majesteit de Koningin
Previous prefaces
For the fourth time, we welcome again in Flanders the Universal Marimba Competition and Festival. Flanders is under the inspiration of Ludwig Albert the center of the world for the marimba, his musicians and his fans. The jurors of Texas, Zagreb, Paris and Tokyo are amongst the top of the marimba players. Their performances and master classes give resonance to the international appeal of this festival. The marimba is perhaps a less known instrument, it surely leaves its mark everywhere. In "Under my thumb" or "Out of Time" of The Rolling Stones, or the intro of "Mamma Mia" by ABBA. Even classical composers like Darius Milhaud took advantage of it shown in his Concerto for Marimba (1947). Now the marimba is used more and more as a solo instrument: an interesting evolution. I am also very pleased by the attention of the UMCF passing on the musical knowledge and maturity of established artists to young talented musicians. As minister of culture, I welcome that very much as culture and music education function as a springboard to the future. I wish you, in other words a fascinating and instructive festival!
Joke Schauvliege 2011 - Flemish Minister for Environment, Nature & Culture
Forty years ago, when I first started the activities of commissioning the composers in order to establish the marimba as a solo instrument. 99.9 percent of Japanese didn't even know the very existence of the marimba. Now, the marimba competition has grown to be able to draw many participants. The young generation who aspires for marimbist is rising. Though we cannot be sure until much later, if those commissioned pieces will go down to prosperity, yet the number of marimba pieces are increasing steadily. As the generation of marimbists is getting on the move across the world, here in Belgium, it is my great pleasure to support Ludwig Albert to substantiate such an event like this. Congratulations from my deepest heart. I believe today's marimba world is in the middle of the musical growth process, waiting for the future. I feel that pieces which can grasp people's hearts and players who can inspire the audience through their performance are needed. I am looking forward to seeing how this Belgium competition will be evaluated in the future ward long history of the marimba. Keiko Abe (JP) - Marimba virtuoso (2007)
Ladies and gentlemen, dear music lovers
Being mayor of Sint-Truiden I am very happy to welcome you here for the fourth time on this worldwide Marimba Festival. As you will probably know, in 2001, 2004 as well as in 2007 Sint-Truiden was already host for this international cultural music event. Sint-Truiden will once again be fascinated by the wonderful sounds of this exotic instrument. Furthermore a competition has been linked to this festival; participants from all over the world can demonstrate their skills and qualities on this ‘piano of percussion’. I’m not at all surprised that this Marimba Festival is being compared to the contest of the Queen Elisabeth. As the saying goes : taking part in a contest is more important than winning it. With our splendid Academy Hall, Sint-Truiden has become an expert in organising music events both nationally, European as world-wide. Moreover, in Sint-Truiden we have an expertise in making people very welcome as we are the tourist centre of Haspengouw. I’m confident that this event has been professionally organised and that we will live up to our name once again The marimba has become a classical and contemporary instrument, within a wide range of musical styles. We were familiarised with the instrument through Latin-American rhythms. Nowadays jazz and pop artists are happy to integrate the new and enlarging sounds in their work. Our guests will without any doubt enjoy immensely the work of the participants as they did in 2001, 2004 and 2007. The members of the jury will make use of their knowledge and experience to pick out the best performers. This is not an easy assignment ! I wish all performers the best of luck and give you all a hearty welcome in Sint-Truiden.
Ludwig Vandenhove - Mayor - Honorary federal parliament 2011
Voor de derde keer op rij wordt in ons land een prestigieus en uniek internationaal Marimba evenement georganiseerd. Marimba ontlokt bij het grote publiek nog altijd wat wenkbrauwgefrons,nochtans bij nader inzien kent wel iedereen deze ietwat groot uitgevallen xylofoon. De opwekkende, meeslepende dromerige klank laat je in elk geval nooit meer los. Kenners vertrouwden mij zelfs toe dat de marimba de piano van de percussie instrumenten wordt genoemd en dat zijn opmars als soloconcertinstrument niet meer te stuiten is. Wel, Limburg, en in bijzonder de stad St.Truiden zijn bijzonder fier om hier opnieuw gastheer te kunnen zijn van dit hoogstaand marimba festival en bijhorende internationale wedstrijd. Onder leiding van artistiek directeur Ludwig Albert, zelf ook een virtuoos op de marimba, zal ook deze derde editie weer uitgroeien tot een wereldwijd geroemd succes. Alleen al het feit dat heel de internationale marimba scène hier samen is om van elkaar te leren, ervaringen te delen en van mekaars muziek te genieten geeft aan dit evenement een belangrijke meerwaarde. Vriendschappen die hier gesmeed worden dragen een leven lang. En als nu ook straks de muzikanten, op hun eigenzinnige manier, de harten weten te veroveren van het publiek dan ben ik overtuigd dat in de opgang van het ‘solo – instrument’ marimba, dit festival zich ongetwijfeld zal inschrijven in de geschiedenis. Bert Anciaux - minister van cultuur 2007
This is the third time, a prestigious and unique International Marimba event will be organised in our country. Marimba is not that known by a large public, although many recognize the ‘large xylophone’. The carrying dreaming sound captures the ears. Specialists informed me that the marimba is considered being the piano among the percussion instruments and that it knows a true, fast and intensive development as a solo concert instrument. The province Limburg and especially the city Sint-Truiden is proud to be again the host of such a unique qualitative marimba Festival and International Competition.
Under the artistic directing of Ludwig Albert, being a virtuoso on this instrument, this third edition will emerge into a worldwide famous success. The fact that whole the International marimba scene will gather to learn from each-other, to exchange experiences and to enjoy each others music will give an important value to this prestigious event. Friendships will be born for life. And if the marimba players from now, each on their own personal way knows to steal the hearts of the audience, I will be convinced that in further development of the marimba as a solo instrument, this Belgian marimba event will put an important stamp in history.
Steve Stevaert - Governor Province Limburg 2007
Het tweede wereldwijde marimba festival wordt in Sint –Truiden gehouden van 20 tot 28 augustus van dit jaar. Opnieuw zal deze stad in de ban raken van de wondermooie klanken van dit exotische instrument. Aan dit festival is tevens een competitie gekoppeld. Hier kunnen deelnemers uit alle hoeken van de wereld hun meesterlijke kunnen op deze piano van het slagwerk demonstreren. Het verheugt mij uitermate te vernemen dat deze competitie vergelijkt werd met de prestigieuze Koningin Elisabeth wedstrijd. Onze Provincie heeft reeds heel wat ervaring opgedaan in het organiseren van wedstrijden op Europees - en wereldniveau. Telkens werden de organisatoren geprezen om hun perfecte planmatige aanpak van het evenement. De typische Limburgse gastvrijheid zorgt daarenboven voor de juiste omkadering en inkleding van alle randelementen, die bij een dergelijk groots gebeuren om de hoek komen kijken. Ik weet dat de organisatie in professionele handen is en wij gaan er prat op dat de Limburgse naam en faam opnieuw tot ver buiten onze landsgrenzen geroemd en geprezen zal worden. Het marimba-instrument heeft zich als klassiek en hedendaags instrument een weg weten te banen in verschillende muziekgenres. Via de Latijns Amerikaanse ritmes werd ons publiek er aanvankelijk mee vertrouwd. Thans maakt ook de jazz- en popmuziek veelvuldig gebruik van deze vernieuwende en verruimende klanken. Ik wens alle deelnemers en organisatoren heel veel succes toe. Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat de bezoekers dagenlang zullen genieten van de virtuozen op dit soloconcertinstrument. Mogen de juryleden hun expertise optimaal inzetten om de beste musici te bekronen. Hun keuze zal niet gemakkelijk zijn.
Succes, Hilde Houben- Bertrand- Gouverneur provincie Limburg 2004
The Percussive Arts Society is proud to partner with the International Marimba Competition 2004, Belgium. The competition and its host, Ludwig Albert, have established a tradition of excellence in advancing the art of marimba performance. Outstanding performers from around the world will come together during this event to celebrate, share, perform and learn. Not only will these individuals perform for a panel of excellent adjudicators, they will also have the opportunity to make friendships that can last a lifetime. It is my pleasure to announce that the winners of this year's International Marimba Competition will be awarded a Showcase Concert at the 2004 PAS International Convention (PASIC) held in Nashville, Tennessee. PASIC is the premier percussion event in the world and brings professional performers, composers, educators and students as well as the percussion industry together for an incredible four days of music sharing. PASIC is the perfect place to showcase the outstanding talent that you will hear at this competition. The Percussive Arts Society was founded in 1961 on the principles of promoting percussion education and performance. The International Marimba Competition and Festival shares PAS' belief that music can bridge cultural and ethnic borders to help make our world a better place to live. Congratulations on your success with this outstanding event.
Best wishes, Mark Ford (US) - President, Percussive Arts Society USA (2004)
