Norwegian Jan Erik Mikalsen wins International Rostrum of Composers in Tallinn
The International Rostrum of Composers (IRC), organized by the International Music Council with the financial assistance of participating radio networks, took place in the Estonian capital this time around.
An international forum of representatives from broadcasting organizations, its purpose is to exchange and broadcast contemporary art music. The forum was initiated in 1954 by French Radio and Television, Radio Frankfurt, Belgian Radio and Television, and Swiss Radio and Television. Since 2003, it has been held around Europe in every second year and this time, Estonia's ERR was the host.
Currently, over 30 national radio networks participate in the rostrum presenting some 60 works composed within the five years preceding the forum. After the listening sessions, the assembly of delegates select and recommend the most important works in two categories: general and young composers. These and other works will be presented in concerts and broadcast after the rostrum by the participating and other interested radio stations.
Mikalsen won in the general category, with his work “Songs for Orchestra”. In young composers category, Matej Bonin from Slovenia won with “Cancro”.
Amongst Estonian composers, Liisa Hirsch achieved best result, with “Ascending... Descending”, by becoming fifth.
The international delegates at the forum got themselves acquainted with aspects of Estonian cultural life too, by attending at the world premiere of Arvo Pärt and Robert Wilson's “Adam's Passion”, as well as being entertained by Estonia's National Male Choir, vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis and folk singer-songwriter Maarja Nuut.
Editor: S. Tambur