I am thrilled to share that my composition, A Kid’s Guide to the Sunrise, has won second prize at the prestigious International Composition Competition 2020/21 organized by the Styrian Tone Arts Association in Graz, Austria! This recognition is a tremendous honor, especially given the high level of talent and creativity showcased in this year’s contest.
The competition saw 67 submissions from 23 countries, making it a truly international event. With an esteemed jury and an engaged audience vote, receiving this award is both humbling and inspiring. I am particularly honored to have won first place in the audience vote, which makes this recognition even more special.
This was also a deeply personal moment for me. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had been two years since I had last attended a live concert. The fact that my first concert after COVID featured a performance of my own composition made it an unforgettable and emotional milestone in my musical journey.
My piece is a tarantella for two violins inspired by the rhythms and melodies of my hometown, Palmi. It’s a nice coincidence that I composed it while studying in Graz, making this recognition even more meaningful.
I extend my warmest congratulations to Massimo Lauricella, who won first prize with his violin duo Sirene (“Mermaids”), and Alice Hong, who won third prize with The Current, for violin and cello. It was an incredible experience to be part of such a vibrant and diverse musical event.
A huge thank you to the Styrian Tone Arts Association, the jury members, the audience, and everyone who supported my work. This achievement fuels my passion for composition, and I look forward to creating more music in the future!
Excitingly, a CD featuring the winning pieces, performed by the ALEA ensemble, will be released soon. Stay tuned for more updates!
Here are a few picture from the final concert.
1/8/2021, Update: Tune the radio to ORF Steiermark (Ö2) tonight at 8pm! A Kid’s Guide to the Sunrise will be broacast! You can also listen online at https://steiermark.orf.at/player/live.