KORAL23: a memorable concert in Carl Nielsen cradle

The night of the 4th of February was a very special night! A full house at Skt. Hans Kirke, built almost a thousand years ago in the center of the current city of Odense, Denmark — separated by a few kilometers from the hometown of Carl Nielsen, the greatest Danish composer. In this church we have heard five extraordinary pieces of music from the KORAL23 choral music competition — I was extremely honored with the bronze award and the opportunity to share the stage with such high-level composers.

I want to say a huge thank you to my wife for motivating me to compose every day, to my father for drawing my attention to the existence of this competition, to my sister for welcoming me in Copenhagen and to my entire family for their warm support and welcome. I would also like to thank the conductor Andreas Werenfeldt for organizing the competition, the competent and kind conductor Alice Granum and her magnificent choir Det Fynske Kammerkor, as well as the entire jury and the friendly city of Odense which so warmly welcomed us on such a cold winter Sunday.

I also want to thank Denmark for receiving me so well for this special concert. A country I've surely been to before, but which I now had the chance to explore through yet a new light. Behind the familiar, a fresh perspective is always lurking through the cracks — and for that I'm thankful also. Kind people, wonderful architecture, good music and great family time in this little flatland. On a less fortunate note, it was impossible not to notice the astonishingly high prices everywhere and the saddening poverty (my own, of course!). Now back to work in the land of the sun!