From today, February 14th, submissions are open for the LHV New Music Composition Award 2024 Au-tasu. Eligible candidates include works that premiered in 2023. The award includes a prize of 6,000 euros along with a trophy crafted by glass designer Mare Saare. The ceremony will take place at the Estonian Symphonic Orchestra concert on April 28th in Theatre Vanemuine’s main hall as part of the Baltic and Estonian Music Days festival Umwelt.
This year’s jury consists of jury chairman Märt-Matis Lill (Estonian Composers’ Union), Lodewijk van der Ree (conductor), Talvi Hunt (pianist), Johanna Mängel (Klassikaraadio) and last year’s laureate composer Ülo Krigul.
Groups, organizations and individuals, regardless of their country of residence, can submit their nominations on the Estonian Music Days website until March 14. A good overview of the last year’s new works can be found in the list of the Estonian Music Information Center.
Last year, a total of 54 pieces from 38 composers were submitted for the award. The award was won by Ülo Krigul with his work “Synthesizer Concerto” for synthesizer and orchestra, and the jury also recognized Madli Marje Gildemann’s work “Transpiration” for string orchestra.
The collaboration between LHV and Estonian Music Days (EMD) that started nine years ago has proven to be an important recognition for Estonian composers and the entire field of contemporary music. In previous years, composers such as Liisa Hirsch, Toivo Tulev, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Helena Tulve, Märt-Matis Lill, Rasmus Puur, Jüri Reinvere and Ülo Krigul have received the award.
This year, the Baltic and Estonian Music Days will take place from April 26 to May 5 as part of the Tartu 2024 Capital of Culture program. Compositions by Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian composers will be featured at the festival, with the majority being world premieres. The artistic directors of the festival are Märt-Matis Lill, Helena Tulve and Timo Steiner.
The LHV New Music Composition Award 2024 Au-tasu is organized by the Estonian Composers’ Union. The partners of the competition are Estonian Music Information Center, Klassikaraadio and ERR. The prize fund is supported by LHV.