British Composer Awards 2008 Shortlist
Pitkin, Schaefer, Bingham, Carter, Saariaho and More
Nov 3, 2008
On Oct. 24, 2008, the BBC announced the 2008 shortlist of nominations for the British Composer Awards. Sponsored by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the competition seeks to recognize and reward new music by UK composers.
This year's selection includes 33 works by a variety of British and international composers. The list includes several younger composers, indicating that the next generation of music-makers is coming into its own. BBC Radio 3 plans to air some preview material for the competition on Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 1-3.
The Seasoned Generation: Elliot Carter, Judith Bingham, Hans Werner Henze, Kaija Saariaho
However, the elder generation is proving it still has what it takes: on the list under the International category is American composer Elliot Carter, nominated for his work Three Illusions for Orchestra. Carter turns 100 this December.
Some other mature, well-known composers nominated this year include the following:
- The 56-year-old Judith Bingham, nominated once under the Instrumental Solo or Duo category for Fantasia (from The Lost Works Of Paganini series) and again under the Liturgical category for Missa Brevis "Awake My Soul."
- The 82-year-old German composer Hans Werner Henze, nominated under the International category for Sebastian im Traum.
- The 56-year-old Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, nominated under the International category for Mirage.
The Next Generation: Jonathan Pitkin, Luke Bedford, Janek Schaefer, Alexander Campkin
- The 30-year-old Jonathan Pitkin, nominated under the Instrumental Solo or Duo category for Con spirito.
- The 30-year-old Luke Bedford, nominated under the Orchestral category for Breathe.
- The 38-year-old composer/installation artist Janek Schaefer, nominated under the Sonic Art category for Extended Play.
- The 24-year-old Alexander Campkin, nominated under the Making Music category for Counting My Numberless Fingers.
New Category Sonic Art: Electronics, Installations, Multi-Media
In keeping with the trend toward younger composers and experimentalism, the British Composer Awards added a new category for 2008. The Sonic Art category features electronic music, installation art and multi-media performances. This new category allows some exciting new interactive pieces to appear on the shortlist, and the final awards ceremony will include two Sonic Art performances featuring the work of artists Eugene Perera and Mick Grierson.
For a full list of nominated composers and works, please visit the BBC Radio 3 website. The winners of the 2008 awards will be announced on Dec. 2 at the Law Society, London.
Sources
"British Composer Awards 2008." BBC Radio 3.
"New Generation of Composers Win Out in Shortlist for British Composer Awards Revealed on Radio 3's In Tune." October 24, 2008. BBC Press Release.
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