As at Christmas with the turrons, around the day of all saints, music lovers have an important quote: Specifically, the Coral Competition of Tolosa. This year’s edition has been particularly interesting for many reasons: on the one hand, it was the 50th edition and to celebrate the anniversary several special concerts have been organised, some have been worth it and others not so much, everything has to be said; on the other, the quality of the choirs we have heard this year has been really high, which gives prestige to a festival like this.

Sixteen choirs from all over the world have participated in the competition this year and, as has been said, they have shown a very high level. From the outset, however, attention was drawn to the actions of the Oreya choir from Ukraine and the Latvian group Kamer Koris, with great technical perfection and, at the same time, original in their approaches. We were not surprised to see these two choirs in the final, together with the Swedes Mr Jacobs Vokalensemble and Batavia Madrigal Singers. In fact, I have underlined the magnificent work of the two choirs in the east, but I must admit that I was surprised by the Indonesian choir, particularly in the brilliant performance that took place in the final. The international jury had a very complicated job, because these four groups are absolutely attractive and perfect, but very different. The Indonesians had an immersive sonority and exceptional musicality; the Swedes, for their part, had technical precision, and it was a curious and exquisite way of working the works of the groups in Ukraine and Latvia. Finally, the Latvian group Kamer Koris has done likewise with the public prize on the 50th anniversary. He won the Grand Prix of Tolosa. Well deserved. Some special awards were also given: The Best Programme Award was for the Swedish team, the Best Director Award was left at home, by the tolosarra Gabriel Baltes (Director of the Kup Group); the Best Work Award was for Germany for the performance of Friede aur Erden by Arnold Schönberg and the Best Performance Award for Asturian Song.