Componisten nieuws

Last Tuesday the Virgil Thomson Foundation and the American Academy of Arts and Letters announced that Lowell Liebermann has been awarded the Virgil Thomson Award. The prize, worth $40.000, was given to him for his outstanding composition of vocal works.

[source: bigstory.ap.org]

New double CD with compositions for piano: WONDER on the theme wonder. Wonder is the beginning of wisdom, the Greec philosopher Socrates said. The music on this album tries to reach that state of mind.

The CD contains also four dances, which act as intermezzo’s.

You can listen to track one on www.mariusvanpaassen.nl

With the two CD's there is also a CD-Rom with the sheet music. This production is therefor probably the first of its kind. Recorded on a very beautiful Fazioli concert grand.

The label is Attacca records, which specializes in Avant Garde music. You can order at www.attaccaproductions.com

[Source: ABC Concert Management]

Two composers are about to be honoured by money.

Benjamin Britten was born 100 years ago. For that occasion the Royal British mint will issue some commemorative coins on his birthday (22 November). See http://www.royalmint.com/features/benjamin-britten-registration.

One day later, on 23 November, Poland is planning to issue a collector's banknote on the occasion Krzysztof Penderecki's 80th birthday. His image, as a conductor, will appear on the banknote.

[source: www.680news.com]

Last Sunday, Stephen Sondheim has received the Edward MacDowell Medal for lifetime achievement It is also the first time that this medal has been awarded for achievement in musical theater.

[Source: www.lgbtqnation.com]

Chech composer Jan Křtitel Vaňhal died 200 year ago, but one of is symphonies has never been performed yet. Conductor Štefan Britvík has now discovered this symphony in E major in the musical archive in the Klementinum in Prague.

The work was premiered on 8 August 2013, the 200th anniversary of Vaňhal´s death, with a live broadcast in Czech radio.

[Source: Czech composer has a premiere 200 years after his death - Features - The Prague Post]

The annual Lifetime Achievement Award of the İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Art (İKSV) this year was for Krzysztof Penderecki. The prize was presented to the composer during the June 17 concert of the İstanbul International Music Festival at Aya İrini.

[source: www.todayszaman.com]

At the age of 97, the French composer Henri Dutilleux died in Paris on 22 May. In the 1930s he studied at the Paris Conservatory under Henri Paul Busser and Maurice Emmanuel. His wrote mainly instrumental music, which can be described as richly colourful, sensual, and sensitive.

[source: www.bbc.co.uk]

To celebrate Benjamin Britten's 100th birthday a self-guided trail was opened near Aldeburgh, England. The route includes Aldeburgh Parish Church, site of Britten's grave, the Old Mill, Snape, the Moot Hall, and the Jubilee Hall, which was the main venue for the Aldeburgh Festival until 1967. Also the Scallop sculpture is included, as well ast he Peter Pears Gallery, Snape Maltings concert hall and the Red House.

[source: www.eadt.co.uk]

“In recognition of his efforts to promote intercultural dialogue through music, consciousness of the scarcity of natural resources such as water, and the diversity of languages, as well as for his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.” That was the explanation of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on the occasion of making Tan Dun as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador at a ceremony in Paris, France.

The composer said he was honored to be named as the first Chinese Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, and that he would join other peers to work dedicatedly to fulfil the mission of UNESCO. Specifically trying to build communication bridges between different cultures, and raising the awareness of saving and protecting water resource for the wellbeing worldwide.

[source: www.nzweek.com]