Very regretfully, I must inform you that I will not be able to attend the Flute Convention in Fukuoka with my colleagues. I tore a muscle in my right calf after I had been in the swimming pool with my granddaughter. Because of the heavy hemorrhage in the muscle, my doctor has advised me not to be on such a long flight. I was very much looking forward to seeing flutist friends and performing with our ensemble group. Knowing how much effort that has been put in by the Japan Flutists Association to having our group for the first time in Japan, I cannot express how sorry I am. However, I am doing my very best in finding the best solution. I very much appreciate your understanding.

Andreas Brau

Chairman of the Japan Flutists Association, Mr. Sasaki and the executive committee chairman of the Fukuoka Flute Convention, Mr. Takeda have discussed about the urgent situation. They respect the fact that Mr. Brau has desperately tried to find his substitute, and have made the decision to go on with having the ensemble group perform at the convention. Mr. Brau and the members of the ensemble have asked flutists such as Mr. Pahud, Mr. Dufour, Mr. Schultz, and others, who unfortunately were unavailable. However, finally, Ms. Anna Garzuly-Wahlgren of the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig has agreed to take part in performing with the group. Ms. Garzuly-Wahlgren has been associate principle flutist in the orchestra and had played the principle position during the 10 years that the orchestra was without an official principle flutist. We are looking forward to hearing her performance as she has been highly praised throughout Germany. The ensemble started rehearsing for the Japan Flute Convention in Fukuoka on Aug.17. The executive committee and all participants of the convention will be disappointed of not having the presence of Mr. Brau this time, however, we will remain grateful that he has managed to swiftly introduce us a wonderful flutist.

Anna Garzuly-Wahlgren – born in Hungary
Ms. Garzuly-Wahlgren has studied in Budapest, Munich and New York and have graduated from each institution with high recognition. She has also won prizes at prestigious international music competitions such as Budapest, Geneva, Kobe, and Markneukirchen. In her earlier years, she had played and been trained under Claudio Abbado as a member of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.
Ms. Garzuly-Wahlgren won her position as associate principle flutist of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, known as the oldest orchestra of the world, at the age of mere 24. As the principle position was vacant from 2006 to 2017, she had ardently fulfilled the position and earned great trust from the orchestra. She has also frequently appeared as a soloist with renowned conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt and Riccardo Chailly, among others. Her performances extend far and wide in genre, however, her appearance as a chamber music player in various international music festivals is particularly notable. Ms. Garzuly-Wahlgren has also been a member of the 5-flute ensemble named “Quintessenz” which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016.
Since 2017, she has been teaching at the Leipzig Music University as Professor in Wind Instrument Ensemble.