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Composition Competition 2020

In summer 2020, while the global Covid-19 pandemic was in full swing, we launched an innovative Composition Competition. Not content to simply sit in lockdown turning our brains to mush with the next Netflix boxed set, violinist Ada Witczyk challenged composers to write short pieces for baroque violin & harpsichord.

1 Jul 2020

COMPETITION LAUNCH

No fee, no age limit and open to all nationalities, we threw out the rule book and gave composers just 2 months to compose their new piece in any style they pleased.

1 Sep 2020

SUBMISSION PERIOD CLOSES

From Peru to Thailand, Israel to Canada, USA to Sweden, Mexico to Austria (and many others along the way), over 30 new pieces were brought to life by composers from 14 countries around the world.

1 Oct 2020

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Baroque violinist Simon Standage and harpsichordist Satoko Doi-Luck

join the judging panel to pick 3 winning compositions.
 

5 Jan 2021

FILMING WINNING PIECES

Simon Helbling directs filming of the 3 winning #compositioncompetition pieces. Luckily we finished a day before lockdown 3.0 began!

15 Feb 2021

RADIO PREMIERE

3 winning compositions premiered on Argentinian National Radio

22 Feb 2021

YELLOW PREMIERE

You can now watch Yellow by Samuel Howley HERE

28 Feb 2021

THE SPECTRE PREMIERE

You can now watch The Spectre by Erik Valdemar Sköld HERE

7 March 2021

OSTINATO IN 7 PREMIERE

You can now watch Ostinato in 7 by Oscar Tysoe HERE

7 June 2021

NEW WORKS PUBLISHED

All 3 of our 2020 winning works have now been published by early music specialists Prima la Musica. Now you can play our new music yourself HERE

Competition Winners

Oscar Tysoe (England)

Samuel Howley (Wales)

Erik Valdemar Sköld (Sweden)

Honorable Mention

Massimo De Lillo (Italy)

Competitions don't just grow on trees

Recording space, harpsichords, recital venues, film crews and equipment are all expensive and we are hugely grateful to everyone who has helped us raise over £2,800 in support of our work.
There's still a long way to go, but with your help we can create something really special.

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Partners:

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Bridgewood & Neitzert

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