For the second time, the Claussen Simon Foundation is organizing a competition for young composers in cooperation with the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.
The prize money is €15,000. During the composition process, the prize winner will have the opportunity to attend orchestra rehearsals and to discuss the progress of the composition periodically with the chief conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Alan Gilbert. Members of the orchestra, the Elbphilharmonie and the foundation will be available to answer questions and to provide advice.
With prior agreement, expenses incurred during the composition process, such as travel and accommodation costs, and expenses for producing the sheet music and parts, may be reimbursed.
Applicants must not be older than 35 years (born in 1987) and should submit by March 15th, 2023 a concept sketch of an orchestral score in musical notation (minimum of 3 minutes) and a written description of the work they intend to create as part of the composition prize. To ensure that personal information does not affect the selection of finalists, the applications will be anonymized before being forwarded to the jury. The prize winner will be commissioned to compose a 15-minute purely orchestral work without soloists, singing voices, or electronics. The score and parts for the commissioned work must be submitted by autumn 2024. The piece will be premiered at the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall in February 2025 as part of the "Elbphilharmonie Visions" festival. The premiere rights for the work that is to be composed shall be held by the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, while all other rights remain with the composer.