The International Kaija Saariaho Organ Composition Competition celebrates Musiikkitalo’s new and unparalleled Rieger concert organ.
The competition will produce new and interesting solo organ works and concertos for organ and symphony orchestra and promote cooperation among organists, composers, and orchestras. The competition has three series: concertos for organ and symphony orchestra, works for chamber orchestra and organ, and solo organ works.
The new works will be performed at concerts throughout the organ’s opening year in 2023. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform the concertos together with an organist. Ensembles and musicians (whose names will be published later) will perform the chamber orchestra and solo organ works.
The jury includes world-famous musicians: Kaija Saariaho (chair, composer), Nicholas Collon (chief conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra), Susanna Mälkki (chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra), Maija Hynninen (composer), Olli Kortekangas (composer), Francesco Filidei (organist–composer), Jan Lehtola (organist–composer), Susanne Kujala (organist),
Olli Porthan (organist, professor)
By 1 May 2023, the jury will choose two concertos for organ and symphony orchestra, 2–4 works for chamber orchestra and organ, and 2–6 solo organ works that will be played on the Concert Hall’s new organ, premiering in Musiikkitalo’s concerts in 2023. The concertos for organ and symphony orchestra will be performed by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra together with an organist. The works for chamber orchestra and organ will be performed by Finnish ensembles. Solo organ works will be performed by musicians, whose names will be published later.
The concerto category’s prize is 12,000 euros per composition, and the solo and chamber orchestra categories’ prize is 5,000 euros per composition.
Deadline 29 October 2022
Website urutsoimaan.fi