San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina), May 17, 2019 – Prana (2018) by Slovenian composer Petra Strahovnik (born 1986) and When for choir and cello (2016) by young Latvian composer Jēkabs Jančevskis (born 1992), are the works selected by radio music producers participating in the 66th International Rostrum of Composers (IRC) held in San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina), from May 13 to 18, 2019. A flagship programme of the International Music Council, the IRC took place for the first time in its history outside Europe, co-organized with FIMBA – Festival International de Musica Bariloche.
Pursuing its mission to promote contemporary music creation through broadcasting for over sixty years, the annual Rostrum has this year again strengthened its role as one of the most important “rendez-vous” for professional exchange between radio producers. Its overall objective remains fostering the exchange of performances of contemporary music between broadcasting organisations. For example, works chosen at the preceding Rostrum (2018) were given some 700 broadcasts by participating networks as well as affiliates of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The 2019 Rostrum gathered representatives from 27 national radio networks from four continents, which presented 50 works composed within the five years preceding the Rostrum. 19 of these works were by composers under the age of 30 and 17 by female composers. Evert van Berkel, recording producer and coordinator for P2 live at the Swedish Radio, chaired the sessions. After the listening sessions, the assembly of delegates selected and recommended the most distinctive works in two categories: general and “young composers under 30”.
These and other works will be presented in concerts and broadcast after the Rostrum by the participating and other interested radio stations.
In the general category, Prana (2018) for symphony orchestra by Slovenian composer Petra Strahovnik (born 1986) was selected by the delegates as most outstanding. The work was presented by RTV – Radio Slovenija.
The inspiration for this work stems from the idea of creating and capturing the atmosphere of attraction between two contrasting poles (e.g., magnetic resonance). The concept of capturing “Prana” as inspiration; in Hinduism, it represents the breath of the life force. “Prana is understood as a universal energy that flows in currents in and around the body.
The RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra was prepared to experiment with new techniques and the use of preparations such as magnets on strings, polystyrene in the piano and harp, etc. The sound sculpture resulting from the basic use of these preparations is interesting and fresh, and the musicians were willing to keep up with the times and prepare their instruments.
In the “young composers” category, the work selected as most worthy for worldwide broadcasting was When for choir and cello (2016) by young Latvian composer Jan- Jēkabs Jančevskis (born 1992). The composition was presented by Latvian Radio.
When for mixed choir and cello was commissioned by Latvian Radio Choir and conductor Kaspars Ādamsons. There are two strong inspirations goals: the one is the choir, other one – the text by William Shakespeare. Jančevskis says: „Sometimes the music just arises, and there is no explanation why and how… If there aren’t suggestive and meaningful words, then I wouldn’t be proud of the result of music” (Jan- Jēkabs Jančevskis).
In addition to the selected works, 12 other works (see list further) were recommended for broadcasting and concert presentation after the Rostrum by the participating and other interested radio stations.
The results of this year’s Rostrum were announced at a press conference held at the Villa Huinid Hotel Pioneros on May 17th.
Petra Strahovnik will receive a bursary from IMC while Jēkabs Jančevskis will benefit from a special commission and residence programme in Sweden offered by IMC and Swedish Radio.
During their stay in Bariloche, Rostrum delegates had the possibility to experience the richness of the Argentinian music scene with a diverse musical programme including performances by the Orchestra of Indigenous Instruments and New Technologies (laureate of the IMC Music Rights Award in 2013), a concert of Camerata Bariloche directed by M° Martin Fraile featuring Argentinian composers Claudio Alsuyet, Alejandro Iglesias Rossi and Silvia Milstein, a concert by Tonina Saputo and had also the opportunity to discover Bariloche’s stunning landscapes.
GENERAL CATEGORY
SELECTED WORK
Petra Strahovnik (Slovenia) Prana
RECOMMENDED WORKS
Britta Byström (Sweden) Notes from the City of the Sun
Richard Causton (United Kingdom) Ik zeg: NU (I say: NOW)
Melissa Foss Hyatt (Argentina) Hanblecheyapi
Sławomir Kupczak (Poland ) Halny
Ville Raasakka (Finland) Black cloud, under ground
Christoph Renhart (Austria) Catalogue des Arts et Métiers
Valgeir Sigurðsson (Iceland ) Dust
Outi Tarkiainen (Finland) Soai Vácciiga Buohtalaga
Shiori Usui (United Kingdom) from scratch
Monika Zenkevičiūtė (Lithuania) Pocket
COMPOSERS UNDER 30 CATEGORY
SELECTED WORK
Jēkabs Jančevskis (Latvia) When
RECOMMENDED WORKS
Celia Swart (Netherlands) In my web
Gerta Raidma (Estonia) je suis