This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Français (French)
Open to composers age 40 and under
Montreal, June 4, 2020 – In the run-up to its 40th season, the Orchestre Métropolitain invites Canadian composers age 40 and younger to submit a proposal of an original work as part of the OM’sfirst-ever Composition Competition, whose theme is “Beethoven’s legacy.”
As a first step, creators are invited to submit a one-minute sample of a symphonic work they would like to compose. Each proposal should embody what Beethoven has represented to the world throughout the centuries. Four winners will receive an official commission from the Orchestre Métropolitain for the composition of a five to six minute work to be performed by the musicians of the OM under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin in June 2021, at the closing concert of the Orchestre’s 40th season. The selection of the four chosen works will be done by a jury of five members, issued from the Canadian music scene, as well as one non-voting president.
Composers must complete their registration by August 1, 2020.
“How fortunate we are to have this opportunity to discover the talent of composers across the country. We hope to hear sonic richness of this generation of young composers in all its diversity… and be moved by their vision, their personal reflection on and of Beethoven’s inspiring legacy.”
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Orchestre Métropolitain
The coming generation’s take on Beethoven’s legacy
Keen to support the public recognition of all artists, especially ones at the start of their careers, and having successfully started the OMNI Music Competition in 2019 to spotlight young performers between 7 and 17, the Orchestre Métropolitain is excited to launch this composition competition for the next generation of composers. Specifically, the OM hopes to consolidate its commitment to emerging Canadian composers as well as generate new works, stimulate artistic thought, and carve a bigger place for young composers.
Reflecting the musical legacy of a composer as engaged and deeply anchored in the social and political realities of his era, the submitted works could be inspired by Beethoven’s message of hope in the face of destiny, his relationship with nature, his preoccupations that remain relevant today, the world around us, the individual versus society and take the form of a reaction, an homage, a counter-reaction or a social or cultural observation, for example.
Six prizes will be awarded:
- Four jury prizes of $5,000 each, awarded to the four winning composers;
- The Musicians’ Choice Award, accompanied by an additional $5,000, presented to one of the four jury prize winners;
- The Public’s Choice Award, which will pick which of the four works that OM audiences want to hear at the grand concert to be performed at the foot of Mount Royal in the summer of 2021.
Important dates
- August 1, 2020: Deadline for registering and receiving the complete application
- October 15, 2020: Announcement of winners and awarding of the four commissions
- March 15, 2021: Deadline for submitting the completed score and individual parts
- June 1 to June 13: Rehearsals
For the complete eligibility requirements, registration fees and technical and artistic evaluation criteria, visit the Orchestre Métropolitain website.
About the Orchestre Métropolitain
Since its founding in 1981, the Orchestre Métropolitain has championed Canadian artists—be they instrumentalists, composers, singers or conductors—through its programming. For 20 years now, the OM has grown alongside its artistic director and principal conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, whose career continues to reach new heights. Their exceptional collaborative relationship has given rise to many ambitious musical projects, some of them quite daring, under the leadership of the Montreal conductor.
Acknowledgements
The Orchestre Métropolitain would like to give special thanks to its official partner, Hydro-Québec.
The OM would like to thank its Grand Ambassador, Power Corporation of Canada, for supporting the composition contest and encouraging Canadian artists.
In addition, many public partners have been instrumental in supporting the OM in its mission: the Government of Quebec, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Ville de Montréal.
Complete details on our 2020–2021 programming: orchestremetropolitain.com
More on Yannick Nézet-Séguin: www.yannicknezetseguin.com
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter @LeMetropolitain, Instagram @orchestre_metropolitain
For more information about registering or participating, please contact:
Krisjana Thorsteinson
Artistic Coordinator
Orchestre Métropolitain
[email protected]
T. 514 598-0870, ext. 40
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Français (French)
