2022 - Composition

Presentation

The 76th Concours de Genève offered piano & composition. The subject of the Composition Competition 2022 was a work for six-voice vocal ensemble. It was open to candidates born after June 1st, 1982 (40 years old).


CALENDAR

  • 10 June: Deadline for completing the application form
  • 20-22 June: Jury meeting, screening of scores, section of finalists
  • 23 June: Announcement of selected finalists
  • 20-26 October: Stay in Geneva, rehearsals & concert
  • 23 October: Portrait of the Finalists (Concert)
  • 26 October: Final Round with the Neue VocalSolisten Stuttgart


Every second year, Geneva hosts a composition competition. This discipline pursues the tradition of the Queen Marie José Prize and aims at encouraging and promoting contemporary creation and supporting a high-quality performance.

With the support of the Fondation Reine Marie José

Programme

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

The Geneva Composition Competition will be held in October 2022. Its objective is to distinguish new works composed after June 2019.

The Competition is open to composers of all nationalities born after June 1st, 1982 (40 years old). Composers who have already won the Queen Marie Jose International Music Composition Prize or the Geneva Composition Competition are not eligible to take part.

WORK

  • The subject of the Composition Prize 2022 is a Work for vocal Ensemble, composed after following specifities:
  • The work must last between 15 and 20 minutes.
  • The work must be written for vocal ensemble of 6 voices.
  • The ensemble set must imperatively be the following:
  • 1 bass, 1 barytone, 1 tenor, 1 mezzo, 1 soprano, 1 high soprano (mezzo-soprano can be replaced by a counter-tenor)
  • The work may (not mandatory) use electronic device. (see specifications in Annex below)
  • The musical score may be hand-written or in digital form, but must be perfectly legible.

PRESENTATION

In order to gain further knowledge of the candidate’s personality and artistic background, we ask them to join to the submitted work the following items:

  • A programme note presenting their work (to be published if selected for the final concert), in English, French or German.
  • A text or a video presenting their work in general and their artistic project for the future. This can be done in any of these following international languages: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Arabic.
  • A list of existing works, from which two works are chosen (max. 10 min.) for solo instrument or chamber music,  to be performed in a concert organized by the Geneva competition.

Annex: Specifications for use of electronics

The Competition reserves the right to refuse a mixed music piece if judged too complex to implement.

  1. MATERIAL AVAILABLE
  • Stereo set-up adapted to the hall
    Monitors if needed
  • Up to 6 microphones :
    headset microphones DPA 4066
    microphones type KMS105 in case a variation of distance is needed
  • Digital mixer (QL1 type yamaha)
  • Computer Macbook pro Apple i7 16 GB Ram with
    Max 8, Live 11, protools, Reaper, Pure Data
  • Sustain pedal from stage to computer
  • Midi controller BCF2000
  1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ELECTRONICS

The composer is responsible for the proper functioning of the electronics
Software: Max 8, Live 11, protools, reaper, Pure Data, (For other software, please check with the organization)
Hardware: hardware devices as effect pedals, multieffect unit can be used if provided by the composer

Due to the tight schedule, we strongly recommend to avoid captors (possible on demand).
The use of click-track for performers will be prohibited
A sound engineer hired by the Competition will assist the composer for the set-up, and during the rehearsals and performance.
If required, the composer may be assisted by his/her own sound engineer (who must use the material at disposal). The timing scheduled for implantation and rehearsal must be strictly respected.

  1. REQUIRED ITEMS TO BE SENT WITH THE SCORE

  • A text that explains the use of electronics.
  • A technical rider (technical description of material used, implantation of singers)
  • The patch or programme file for the electronics must be send with the score.
  • Please send some examples of the electronics:
    • Some sound files (fixed media) if any
    • Some examples of real time (if any) should be sent as a soundfile so the jury can judge without having the programme.
  1. SCHEDULE

Rehearsal: one technical test 1h in the hall
Soundcheck with performers: 30 minutes
Tutti rehearsal

Jury

OFFICIAL JURY MEMBERS

Beat Furrer, Chair (Switzerland-Austria)
Hans Abrahamsen (Denmark)
Unsuk Chin (South Korea)
Stefano Gervasoni (Italy)
Isabel Mundry (Germany)
 

Finalists

The Jury met from 20-22 June in Geneva to select the finalists for the 76th Concours de Genève, section composition. Three young composers were selected, from 97 applicants, to participate in the final round:

  • Ármin Cservenák, 26 years old, Hungary, « Madrigali », for six voices with texts by Pétrarque, Michelangelo and Scelsi
  • Shin Kim, 27 years old, Korea, « The Song of Oneiroi », for six voices and microphones
  • Yuki Nakahashi, 26 years old, Japan, « Settings », for vocal ensemble

Their works will performed during the public final round on 26 October 2022 in Geneva by the Neue VocalSolisten Stuttgart.

Prizewinners

OFFICIAL PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE (CHF 15'000. -)
Shin Kim, 27 years old, Korea
For his work « The Song of Oneiroi », for six voices and microphones

SECOND PRIZE (CHF 10'000. –)
Yuki Nakahashi, 27 years old, Japan
For his work « Settings », for vocal ensemble

THIRD PRIZE (CHF 5’000.-)
Ármin Cservenák, 27 years old, Hungary
For his work « Madrigali », for six voices with texts by Pétrarque, Michelangelo and Scelsi


SPECIAL PRIZES

AUDIENCE PRIZE (CHF 1'500. -)
Ármin Cservenák

YOUNG AUDIENCE PRIZE (CHF 1'000.-)
Yuki Nakahashi

STUDENTS' PRIZE (CHF 1'000. –)
Yuki Nakahashi

NICATI-DE LUZE PRIZE (CHF 3'000.-)
Yuki Nakahashi


The Audience Prize is awarded by the audience at the Final performance.
The Young Audience Prize is awarded by young students of the Geneva music schools.
The Student Prize is awarded by student in Musicology at Geneva University.
The Nicati De Luze Special Prize is awarded by the Nicati-De Luze Foundation to one of the finalists. It consists in one commissioned piece, for chamber music or ensemble, to be performed two times in concert.