Sixth International Competition For The

MUNICH, GERMANY – July 13, 2009: Initiated by Bavarian Radio and the BMW Group, the BMW musica viva composition prize has been awarded every two years since 1998 within the framework of the musica viva concert series, an event first founded in 1945. The three prizes totalling 25,000 Euros, as well as a sponsorship prize, are awarded on each occasion by a newly selected independent jury comprising musicians and musicologists. The jury presided over by Prof. Udo Zimmermann, art director of the musica viva, assesses hundreds of works submitted by composers from all corners of the world. The works of the young talented composers who receive the BMW musica viva composition prize are usually premiered on the occasion of a musica viva concert by the Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra and the SWR experimental studio and included in their repertoires.

“The composition prize competition, which is open to international applicants, is a good example of the BMW Group's cultural commitment. For more than 30 years our company has been committed to the promotion of culture, thereby living up to its social responsibility. In our commitment to musica viva we rely heavily on the enthusiasm and the innovative strength of young musicians”, says Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of the BMW AG.

With the sixth invitation to compete, young composers the world over of any nationality up to the age of 40 are invited to present to the jury a work for orchestra and/or live electronics or multi-channel sound projection. The work should have duration of approximately 15 – 20 minutes. Closing date is 31th March 2010. The composition may not exceed the instrumentation used in the Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra: winds (4.4.4.5; 6.5.4.1), timbal (1), drums (3), harp, piano, celesta, strings (14.12.10.8.6). The electronic part may use up to 10 loudspeakers. Microphoning is limited to a maximum 32 individual channels.

The following has to be presented to the jury: a first draft of the full score comprising a minimum of 15 pages, an exposé for live electronics or a full score as well as a draft for sound projection. The prize-winning composers will be given the opportunity to produce and record the live electronics or sound projection within the framework of a several week-long working stay in the experimental studio of the SWR in Freiburg.

The works of the young talented composers who receive the BMW musica viva composition prize are usually performed within a short time at highly prestigious series of events featuring contemporary music.

“The promotion of culture in Germany and abroad is an integral part of the BMW Group's responsible business initiative. We are very pleased that we have sustainably supported the international BMW musica viva composition prize since 1998”, emphasizes Maximilian Schöberl, BMW Group head of Corporate Affairs.