(openPR) - Presentation of the German Musical Instrument Prize 2007 in the categories double bass (4 string) and bass trombone

Prize in honour of outstanding instrument making in Germany
To be awarded in the categories double bass and bass trombone, this year's German Musical Instrument Prize goes to two instrument makers from the State of Bavaria. The presentation ceremony will be held during the international Musikmesse in Frankfurt am Main.
The double-bass (4 string) category was won by Pöllmann – Krahmer GbR Kontrabassbau from Mittenwald with their 'Imperator' double-bass model. In the brass-instrument field, the German Musical Instrument Prize went to Kühnl & Hoyer Musikinstrumentenfabrik GmbH from Markt Erlbach for their 'Orchestra bass' B flat/F/D bass trombone.

Organised by the German Ministry for Economics and Technology, the German Musical Instrument Prize is awarded in honour of particularly high-quality products from the world of musical-instrument making and will be presented at a ceremony during the international Musikmesse trade fair in Frankfurt am Main. The presentation, which will be made by a representative of the German Ministry for Economics and Technology, will take place in Café Classic (Hall 1.2) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 29 March 2007. The prize-winning companies receive a certificate while their instruments will be exhibited in a special show during the fair.

The instruments are required to demonstrate their very high quality in a sophisticated series of tests at the Institute for Musical Instrument Making (Institut für Musikinstrumentenbau) in Zwota, Saxony. Additionally, the instruments should offer good value for money and be sold either via the trade or directly from the maker. The test procedure covers:

- acoustic / physical tests on sound parameters,
- a subjective, practical test by professional musicians,
- an assessment of craftsmanship and finish by an expert.

The jury's reasons for giving the Prize to the 'Imperator' double bass made by Pöllmann – Krahmer include the elaborate production process and the "excellent hand-crafted finish of the instrument." In terms of playability, the double bass received the "best ratings" in all respects from all experts. The jury was impressed by the very good sound quality and volume, especially in the low and middle ranges.

Now in the fourth generation, Pöllmann – Krahmer GbR Kontra¬bassbau is the epitome of skilful double-bass production. The company's instruments are played in the leading orchestras and by soloists worldwide. In many cases, the double basses are special productions developed in cooperation with the individual musicians.

The company exhibits in Hall 1.2, Stand C37.

According to the testing musicians, the outstanding feature of the 'Orchestra bass' trombone made by Kühnl & Hoyer Musik¬instrumentenfabrik GmbH in Markt Erlbach is the slide. However, it is not only the slide quality of the B flat/F/D bass trombone that is so praiseworthy. In the tests, the instrument demonstrated, "a very good balance of playing qualities in the various valve combinations." The majority of experts were particularly impressed by the sound quality and volume in the low and middle ranges. The bass trombone also takes account of ergonomic aspects through the use of bent stays on the bell and slide, as well as an adjustable fingerplate on the fourth and fifth valves.
Kühnl & Hoyer make only brass instruments, such as trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns, trombones, tenor and baritone horns, signal and hunting horns. All instruments have been made in the company's own workshops for over 50 years. Kühnl & Hoyer work in close, personal contact with leading musicians and music teachers in the develop¬ment of their instruments, which are used not only in the classical field but also in the jazz and big-band sectors.

The company exhibits in Hall 6.0, Stand C 32.

The German Musical Instrument Prize has been awarded in two product categories since 1991. The instruments entered for the competition are subjected to a series of tests at the Institute for Musical Instrument Making in Zwota and must demonstrate their quality.
The instrument categories for the German Musical Instrument Prize 2008 have already been decided:
• Concert guitar
• Bass clarinet

The deadline for entries is 20 April 2007. Instrument makers interested in taking part can obtain full details of the competition from:

Institut für Musikinstrumentenbau
Klingenthaler Strasse 42
D-08267 Zwota
Telephone: +49 374 67-23481
E-mail: post@ifm-zwota.de

Musikmesse Frankfurt
International trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music and accessories
From 28 March to 31 March 2007 in Frankfurt, Germany

Contact:

Andreas Höflich
B74 Marketingkommunikation
Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1
60327 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tel. +49 (0)69 7575-6866
Fax +49 (0)69 7575-6099
andreas.hoeflich@messefrankfurt.com
www.messefrankfurt.com

Vorsitzende des Aufsichtsrats: Oberbürgermeisterin Petra Roth
Geschäftsführung: Michael von Zitzewitz (Vorsitzender)
Dr. Michael Peters, Detlef Braun und Uwe Behm
Amtsgericht Frankfurt am Main HRB 6640


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