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Application period for the winter semester 2025/26 – Digital Media (B.A.): 1.2.–15.5.2025 – Digital Media (M.A.): 1.4.–31.5.2025 – Fine Arts (Diploma): 1.2.–15.4.2025 – Integrated Design (B.A.): 1.2.–30.4.2025 – Integrated Design (M.A.): 1.4.–15.5.2025 – Music: 1.3.–31.3.2025

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Tuesday | 1 April 2025

Success for HfK Members at the 13th International Telemann Competition

Thomas Fields and Ayano Shigematsu secure top spots
The prize winners of the 2025 Telemann Competition: HfK student Ayano Shigematsu (left), HfK student Thomas Fields (center), and Anna Maddalena Ghielmi (right). © Viktoria Kühne

The 13th International Telemann Competition took place in Magdeburg from March 21st to 30th, 2025, attracting numerous talented musicians from around the world. Held biennially since 2001, the competition focuses on the interpretation of Baroque music, placing special emphasis on historically informed performance practice. It provides a platform for young musicians to showcase their skills and engage with international experts. Jury chairman Prof. Dr. Barthold Kuijken summed up the event by saying, “We are hearing the future of early music.”

In the category of historical string instruments, HfK-students Thomas Fields (Viola da Gamba, formerly a student of Hille Perl, currently studying Baroque cello with Olaf Reimers) and Ayano Shigematsu (Baroque Violin, Baroque violin class of Mechthild Karkow) delivered outstanding performances. Thomas Fields was awarded first prize, while Ayano Shigematsu earned third prize. Both musicians impressed the jury with their musical expressiveness and stylistic precision.

Additionally, Thomas Fields received a special award—an invitation to perform at the annual festival of the Viola da Gamba Society in Winterthur, Switzerland.

For more information about the competition, visit this website.