16-year-old has been awarded the Werner Richter Trophy
Music School: 28th Saxon Competition for Accordion and Bandoneon "Werner Richter"
16-year-old Amara Kretzschmar from Löbau was awarded the Werner Richter Trophy at this year's Saxon competition for accordion and bandoneon "Werner Richter". According to the expert jury, she "impressed with her sensitive interpretation of the pieces and strong technique".
The 28th Saxon Accordion Competition "Werner Richter" was held on Saturday 28 September in Chemnitz - Werner Richter's home town - at the Municipal Music School. Accordion and bandoneon students aged 7 to 53 from all over Saxony took part in the competition and played a variety of pieces in solo and chamber music categories.
Further results and information at: Werner Richter Competition
The competition ended with a festive concert and the award ceremony. The "accordionduo con:trust", consisting of Daniel Roth and Marius Staible, played alongside the prizewinners at the concert. Thea Richter, Werner Richter's widow, and his son Tilo Richter accompanied the competition day.
Outlook
The 29th Saxon "Werner Richter" Competition will take place again on 27 September 2025 at the Chemnitz Municipal Music School.
Werner Richter was one of the founding teachers of the Chemnitz music school in 1950 and led the school for decades
the accordion department for decades until his retirement. He was a pillar of the
of music school life that many of today's teachers still remember well. He was loved by
appreciated by colleagues and pupils alike. He also wrote music for his
and ensembles, whether beginners or advanced, suitable, inspired and often amusing works.
often amusing works.
The bandoneon was originally developed as the "Chemnitz Concertina" in the 1830s by the
Chemnitz instrument maker Carl Friedrich Uhlig.