Each year, one judge, without committee, reviews and chooses 4-5 compositions out of the submitted musical works to be performed in the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, where the judge will announce the recipients of the award during the “Composium” festival, which takes place in around May each year, focuses on the contemporary music and features musical performances of works by the current year’s judge.
For three years from 1997 to 1999, Toru Takemitsu himself chose three composers, one for each year, and then these three composers nominated the next three composers for the coming three years, one for each year. Since the year 2003, the judge has been appointed by the recommendation of the Foundation’s Advisor Committee (whose members are Kent Nagano, Kazushi Ono, Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and were the late Hiroyuki Iwaki, the late Hiroshi Wakasugi and the late Oliver Knussen), and the last three previous judges.
he orchestral composition competition will take place in the following years. Young composers from all over the world are urged to submit their newly created works during their preferred competition year (may enter multiple years).
Judges
2023Jo Kondo (Japan)
2024Mark-Anthony Turnage (United Kingdom)
Judgement
Preliminary Screening: The judge will screen the submitted scores and select a certain number of works to be performed.
Final Selection: Those works selected during the preliminary screening will be performed in concert (“Final Concert”) at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall: Takemitsu Memorial, and the year’s award will be decided by the judge following the performance (see [Final Concert and Other Information]).
Award Cash Award: Cash Award: the total sum of 3,000,000 Yen, each year.
The judge may withhold the prize (i.e. in absence of a suitable entry) or divide the prize among multiple entries.
The composers whose works are selected to be performed at the final selection will be invited to attend the concert.
Competition Procedure
Eligible scores Compositions for orchestra in any format except concerto, within the following instrumentation and to be performed with one conductor.
Scores that have been published, performed in public concert or commercially recorded before “Final Concert” are not eligible.
Instrumentation Maximum;
Flute 3 (may double on piccolo or alto flute)
Oboe 3 (may double on English horn)
Clarinet 3 (may double on E-flat or bass clarinet)
Bassoon 3 (may double on double bassoon)
Horn 4
Trumpet 3
Trombone 3
Tuba 1
Extra wind 1 (one extra wind not listed above may be included)
Harp 2
Keyboard 2 players (may include piano(s), celesta, synthesizer)
Percussion 4 players (including Timpani)
Violin 30
Viola 12
Cello 10
Double Bass 8
A change in instrumentation may be requested by the organizer if unusual wind / percussion instruments are used.
Any keyboard used (synthesizers included) must be easily available in Japan. If a specific model is required, please consult with the secretariat beforehand.
Any applicant requiring inclusion of a keyboard or synthesizer must provide their own programmed sample and tone data, compatible with the model being used.
Computer-based synthesizers, including software synthesizers, may be included but the keyboard player must be able to play the instrument from a piano-style keyboard. The applicant must also prepare the computer, software and interface.
Use of real-time electric amplification / modulation, or accompaniment by recorded sound tape / CD playing is not permitted.
Duration No shorter than 10 minutes nor longer than 20 minutes.
Qualified
applicants
Any person, regardless of nationality, who is not over 35 years old at the end of the year of the application deadlines.
Application
Deadlines
For the year 2023 Friday, 30 September 2022
For the year 2024 Friday, 29 September 2023
The Piece with the application form must be delivered to the following office by the above dates.
Receipt of entries on the last day will close at 6:00 p.m. (Japan time).
Deadline 29 September 2023
Website operacity.jp
