As of 14 January, submissions are open for sound works that received their world premiere last year for the “LHV New Composition Award” 2026. Nominations may be submitted by musical ensembles, organizations, and private individuals from around the world. Works can be submitted until 6 February 2026 via the Estonian Music Days website. The prize fund includes a €8,000 cash award and an artwork created by glass artist Mare Saar. Since 2025, the jury has also awarded a special prize, the “LHV Innovation Award,” worth €2,000. The prize fund is provided by LHV.
The award ceremony will take place on 17 April at an ENSO concert held within the framework of the Estonian Music Days festival at the Estonia Concert Hall. The jury consists of Helena Tulve (Chair of the Jury), Miina Pärn, Kärt Ruubel, Rasmus Puur, and Ülo Krigul.
To submit works for the competition, the relevant APPLICATION FORM must be completed, including all necessary information related to the work. Detailed conditions are published on the Estonian Music Days website, and a good overview of last year’s new works can be found in the list compiled by the Estonian Music Information Centre.
Last year, 51 works by 32 composers were submitted to the competition. By unanimous decision of the jury, the main prize was awarded to Rasmus Puur’s Symphony, which was premiered on 3 May 2025 at the Estonia Concert Hall. The work was commissioned by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with conductor Olari Elts. The “LHV Innovation Award” was also presented for the first time, with the aim of recognizing a work that expands social and/or environmental awareness. It was awarded to Marianna Liik’s work “Maaalune” (Underground), which premiered at the Estonian Music Days at the University of Tartu Natural History Museum on 4 May 2025.
The “LHV New Composition Award” is organized by the Estonian Composers’ Union in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), with the prize fund supported by LHV. The collaboration, which began in 2016, has become an important form of recognition for Estonian composers and the field of contemporary music. Over the years, the award has been presented to several distinguished composers, including Liisa Hirsch, Toivo Tulev, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Helena Tulve, Märt-Matis Lill, Rasmus Puur, Jüri Reinvere, Ülo Krigul, and Madli Marje Gildemann.
This year, the Estonian Music Days festival, titled “Lood / Stories,” will take place from 11–19 April, bringing concerts to Tallinn, Tartu, and Laulasmaa. In addition to live events, the program can also be followed via video streams on the festival’s website. During the festival, more than 20 new works will be performed by Estonia’s leading ensembles and soloists. The festival’s artistic directors are Helena Tulve, Märt-Matis Lill, and Timo Steiner.
Additional information:
Iti Teder
Estonian Music Days
LHV Award 2026 Coordinator
iti@helilooja.ee
Tel. +372 5466 7689