Manuela Schwesig
Minister-President of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Dear participants,
 
It is a great pleasure for me to assume patronage of the world's largest international competition for solo double bass.
 
I am delighted that in 2020 the spotlight will once again be on this very special instrument, though this time, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, online.
At the "International Double Bass Quarantine Challenge 2020", which was developed as an alternative to the International J.M. Sperger Competition, the many talents once again captivate both audience and jury. Thus, the event spans an arc between Sperger's Classical period and the present day.
This international competition is, despite the prevailing situation, a stepping stone for double bassists who are looking to gain entry into the artistic working world and achieve recognition. It enjoys an outstanding reputation and represents a large network for all those who will enrich the musical landscape of solo and concert bassists in the future.
 
In the final week from 28 July to 2 August, citizens of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will also be actively voting online for the audience awards.
 
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the participants from all over the world and thank all those who are involved in this melodious event. Together we are already looking forward to the International J.M. Sperger Competition in Rostock in the spring of 2022.
 
Warmest regards,

Thomas Hengelbrock
Founder and Director of the Balthasar-Neumann-Ensembles

Fotocredit: © NDR / Florence Grandidier

It is with great pleasure that I continue to serve as the patron of the International J.M. Sperger Competition for Double Bass!
The establishment of these " Double Bass Olympics" means a successful and important connection of the musical past of the "Viennese Classic" with today's future-oriented musical landscape.

The young outstanding talents who compete here are the basis and breeding ground of the future musical landscape. Approximately 50 young double bassists from all over the world will compete in exciting qualifying rounds and superb concerts and inspire the audience anew. As musical ambassadors they will move on to the podiums of the international concert halls.

I wish the participants from near and far much success, and the audience a boundless musical enjoyment!

Christine Hoock
Artistic director

"All you need is bass... !"

Dear double bassists, dear music-loving guests,

The International J.M. Sperger Competition for Double Bass will take place from 27 March to 3 April 2022 in the rooms of the Academy of Music and Theatre of the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock.

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to welcome the director of the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble Thomas Hengelbrock and the Minister President of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Manuela Schwesig as patrons of our event.

My special thanks go to the Ministry of Education of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, NDR Kultur Hamburg, NDR Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Oscar and Vera Ritter Foundation Hamburg, the German Orchestra Association, the many private sponsors as well as the international music specialist companies who once again support our wonderful project as reliable partners.

We offer young double bass players from all over the world the opportunity to compete at the highest international level, to deepen their musical understanding and to make new contacts. With our event, we also honour the legacy of the great double bassist and composer Johannes Sperger.

Our event is presented by the International J.M. Sperger Society e. V. in cooperation with the Rostock University of Music and Theatre.

I wish all participants good preparation, inspiration and motivation as well as fair play at the competition!

Warmest regards,

Christine Hoock

Artistic Director

Gary Karr

It is indeed a great pleasure and honor to greet the international team and participants of the J.M. Sperger Competition for Double Bass. It is an immense thrill for me knowing that there are so many outstanding talents playing the solo double bass. I am forever grateful to the J.M. Sperger Competition for their continued contributions to bringing attention to our impressive repertoire and for demonstrating to the musical public the extraordinary expressive and technical range of our majestic instrument.
I extend to all those lucky people attending the Sperger Competition my very ‘bassed’ wishes. I think of you as my family and I love you all,

Gary Karr