Philadelphia Orchestra player wins ARD contest

Philadelphia Orchestra player wins ARD contest

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

September 10, 2023

The first prize in ARD’s double-bass contest was awarded, somewhat controversially, to Gabriel Polinsky, associate principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Polinsky’s performances were polished and reserved, avoiding crowd-pleasing gestures. Many in the audience preferred the flamboyant Hongyiu Thomas Lai, who came second, and José Trigo, third.

Polinsky, from Long Island, joined the Philadellphia Orchestra fresh out of the Curtis Institute.

Comments

  • NYMike says:

    Fortunately, the audience is not the judge of a musical competition.

  • YujaFan420 says:

    What was up with the headband he was wearing? Distracting and unbecoming. Congrats tho

  • Joel Kemelhor says:

    It would be of help to readers to identify the “ARD.”

  • Andreas B. says:

    Congratulations, fine playing by all the finalists!

    Mr Trigo and Mr Lai already had met earlier this year at the Markneukirchen competition, winning 1st and 2nd prize respectively.

    (Interestingly, both are members of German radio orchestras – a strong showing by the ARD!)

  • MOST READ TODAY: