Behind the Diamond Prize: Ida Trio on Friendship, Rehearsals, and Their Award-Winning Shostakovich Performance
- WOMCO
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
The Ida Trio from Germany has been awarded the Diamond Prize in the Chamber Music category at the 2025 Season 3 Couperin International Music Competition. The competition ran from May 6 to August 6, 2025, with results announced on August 27. Their winning performance featured Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor.
The Ida Trio was founded in 2024 and consists of three dedicated musicians – Saeyong Kim (violin), Sule Berna Kontas (cello), and Ipek Sert (piano) – who met during their studies at the Folkwang University of the Arts. They are currently continuing their chamber music training with Thomas Hoppe and are working intensively on a diverse repertoire that spans various eras – from classical to contemporary music.
When and why did you form your trio, and does playing music together hold a special meaning for you?
Ida Trio:
"We actually founded our trio last April for our chamber music class at University . We were already close friends as piano and cello and had been playing together. We decided we wanted to take our chamber music class as a trio and were looking for a compatible and talented violinist to join us. That’s how we met our dear violinist, at the party where we forming our chamber music group.Since the day we met, we have not only focused on the performance aspect but also created a space where we can plan rehearsals together, think as if with a shared mind, and at the same time freely express each of our ideas. We believe this is especially important for chamber music groups. When we go on stage or listen back to our recordings, we truly feel the 'girl power,' so to speak, and that makes playing together meaningful for us.“
Could you share the background of your award-winning performance of "D. Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor - 4. Allegretto"? When and where did you record it, and what led you to choose this piece for your performance?
Ida Trio:
"Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2 holds a particularly meaningful place in our ensemble’s journey, as it was the very first piece we prepared and performed together after forming our trio. We were introduced to the work through a recommendation from our pianist, and it ultimately became the piece that shaped the initial artistic direction of our group.
To be honest, this trio is rarely chosen as a starting point for a newly formed ensemble, as it
stands among the most monumental and demanding works in the piano trio repertoire—both musically and technically. Its frequent shifts in irregular and complex meters require a heightened sense of collective pulse and exceptional ensemble precision. However, as we began rehearsing, we became increasingly captivated by its intensity and expressive depth. Through countless hours of practice and run-throughs, we not only learned to navigate its challenges but also developed a much stronger sense of musical connection and trust within the group.
Throughout one academic semester, this piece served as our primary repertoire, culminating in a live performance for our performance exam. As we worked through the entire piece—from the first movement to the fourth—we found ourselves growing more attached to it. In particular, the fourth movement stood out for its energy and dramatic flair, and we felt it would be the most suitable for this competition, both in terms of its length and brilliance.
To give the exact date, we made our recording on July 23, 2025, the same day we submitted our application for the competition. We study at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, where we had the privilege of using the school’s recording studio. Within approximately two hours and after a few takes, we completed our recording. We listened back together in the studio and, fortunately, all three of us agreed on the same take.
Looking back, this piece not only challenged us musically, but also brought us closer together as an ensemble. It sparked so much joy and discovery—especially during rehearsals for the fourth movement, where we often found ourselves laughing and deeply engaged in the music. No matter what pieces we encounter in the future, this Shostakovich trio will always remain a defining and unforgettable part of our story."
Could you walk us through your approach as a trio in preparing and interpreting your award-winning video performance for the online music competition? How did you collaborate and coordinate as a team, and what artistic or technical considerations shaped the final result? Are there any tips you would offer for submitting a successful ensemble performance video?
Ida Trio:
"Before our first rehearsal, we focused on individual practice. This was not just a technical or score-based study; we also conducted historical research about the piece and the period in which it was composed. We learned about Shostakovich’s character and his music, which provided valuable insight for our interpretation.
Afterwards, we began rehearsing together once a week. As we mentioned before, during
rehearsals we worked in a collective space where we could freely express our ideas. The string players not only practiced by looking at their own parts, but also followed the score to play along with the piano part. During our sessions, we frequently made audio recordings, which helped prepare us for the professional recording.
During the professional recording, balancing the sound was our primary focus. Musically, our
ideas were already clear in our minds, and technically, we had completed our individual preparation. We paid careful attention to ensure that each of us was clearly visible on video. We listened to and compared the recordings together. Rather than doing continuous run-throughs, we took breaks between takes, using our energy to focus on producing a few high-quality recordings.
Finally, instead of concentrating solely on our individual parts, each member focused on how we sounded as a collective unit. Since we recorded every rehearsal, it didn’t take long to achieve a professional-quality recording once we arrived at the studio. Therefore, we believe this approach was the best strategy we could have used."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Ida Trio:
“Participating in the Couperin International Music Competition and being awarded the highest distinction holds great significance for us, as this is the first competition we are entering as a trio. We believe that challenging ourselves in this way has helped us grow and stay motivated. We are therefore grateful to you for providing such an opportunity.
As I mentioned, this was our first competition as a team, and while most competitions are
typically held in person, this one allowed us to participate online, which led to our very first
experience with recording a performance. In preparing for the submission, we went through numerous run-throughs of our program—more than we had ever done before. With each recording session, we discovered new things. Rather than focusing solely on detailed practice, we began to understand where we needed to breathe together, and which parts required more attention or sensitivity from each member. That process itself was incredibly eye-opening and meaningful for all of us. Regardless of the outcome, we felt that the experience alone helped us grow as a team. It was a valuable opportunity that we’ll carry with us moving forward.
We would also like to thank our chamber music teacher, Prof. Thomas Hoppe, and pianist Maxim Shamo, who assisted us in understanding the piece and achieving a beautiful sound, as well as the Folkwang University of the Arts for allowing us to record in their studio.”
