PRESS RELEASE
71st INTERNATIONAL ROSTRUM OF COMPOSERS
Ljubljana (Slovenia), May 16, 2025 – The White Birds (2024) for string trio by Latvian composer Gundega Šmite, and Calmness II (2022–2023) for B♭ clarinet and vibraphone by young Czech composer Darja Kukal Moiseeva (b. 1998), are the works selected by radio music producers participating in the 71st International Rostrum of Composers (IRC), held in Ljubljana (Slovenia) from May 13 to 16, 2025.
A flagship programme of the International Music Council, the IRC took place for the first time in its history in Slovenia, thanks to the invitation of RTV Slovenia, Radio Slovenia, Ars Programme.
Pursuing its mission to promote contemporary music creation through broadcasting for seventy years, the annual Rostrum has once 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 among broadcasting organisations. Works chosen at the preceding Rostrum (2024) received approximately 600 broadcasts by participating networks and affiliates of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The 2025 Rostrum gathered representatives from 22 national radio networks across four continents, who presented 42 works composed within the five years preceding the event.
Sessions were co-chaired by Gregor Pirš, Head of Music at the Ars Programme of Radio Slovenia, and Davide Grosso, IRC Secretary. After the listening sessions, the assembly of delegates selected and recommended the most distinctive works in two categories: “General” and “Under 30”.
In the General category, the work selected by the delegates as most outstanding was The White Birds for string trio (violin, viola, violoncello), composed in 2024 by Latvian composer Gundega Šmite. The work was presented by Latvian Public Service Media.
The piece is dedicated to Trio Baltia musicians Paula Šūmane (violin), Eugenia Frolova (viola), and Anna Veselova (cello).
“Their outstanding musicianship and personalities have inspired the concept of this work. I have selected four beautiful birds that do not have pleasant singing voices — mute swans, collared doves, seagulls, and white storks. These are not the greatest songbirds. White storks, for example, have a completely underdeveloped larynx. They make only hissing and croaking sounds, as well as clacking noises with their beaks. The most characteristic sound of the swan, on the other hand, is the flapping of the wings as the bird migrates away. Then there are the lovingly cooing doves and the seagulls, bearers of the freedom and spirit of the sea. Each of the four miniatures introduces the sound world, and therefore poetic expression, of a particular bird.” — Gundega Šmite
In the Under-30 category, the work selected as most worthy of worldwide broadcasting was Calmness II for B♭ clarinet and vibraphone (2022–2023) by Czech composer Darja Kukal Moiseeva. The composition was presented by Czech Radio.
“I project calmness into this composition. To stay for a moment in the present, to enjoy the calm in today’s fast-paced world, to listen to the melody, the harmonies, and the colour of both instruments… The composition can give a meditative impression, which is not a bad thing at all. It is a growing form. It moves from melodic unison into multiple sounds as the piece progresses. I am concerned with the sonic connection of two instruments, one of which is tuned in temperament. The starting point of the musical world for me in this piece was a selection of several multiphonics, from which evolved the tonal selection I work with throughout the piece.” — Darja Kukal Moiseeva
In addition to the selected works, nine other pieces (see list below) were recommended for broadcasting and concert presentation by participating and interested radio stations.
The results of this year’s Rostrum were announced at a press conference held at Studio 26 of Radio Slovenia.
Beyond the exceptional exposure provided by radio broadcasts, both selected composers will receive the IRC Prize, a bursary offered by the IMC and generously supported by RTP – Radio Television Portugal / Antena 2 and the European Broadcasting Union.
Moreover, thanks to a partnership with the prestigious publishing house Universal Edition, the two selected composers will be offered one-year access to the SCODO publishing service. All composers presented at the Rostrum will be entitled to a free evaluation for inclusion in the service and a special subscription rate if they decide to join.
During their stay in Ljubljana, Rostrum delegates experienced the diversity of the local contemporary music scene, including the traditional composers’ interview featuring Matej Bonin, Neville Hall, Tilen Lebar, Nina Šenk, Larisa Vrhunc, and Vito Žuraj; a presentation of the 80th anniversary of the Slovenian Composers’ Society; and concerts by the Slovenian Philharmonic and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra.
Delegates also attended a special performance celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra.
GENERAL CATEGORY
Selected Work
The White Birds – Gundega Šmite (presented by Latvian Public Service Media)
Recommended Works (in alphabetical order)
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Alessandro Baticci – Luminal Mirage (presented by ORF Ö1, Austria)
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Anna Berg – The Grammar of Ornament (presented by NRK, Norway)
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Mariana Dionísio – Mythological Portraits (presented by RTP Antena 2, Portugal)
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Darja Kukal Moiseeva – Calmness II (presented by Czech Radio)
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Ruta Paidere – Magnificat (presented by Latvian Public Service Media)
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Urška Pompe – Saturniidae (presented by RTS Programme ARS, Slovenia)
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Evelin Seppar – Iris (presented by ERR, Estonia)
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Aleksandra Słyż – Suspended in Ratios (presented by P2, Polish Radio)
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Daniel Zea – Florox (presented by RTS, Switzerland)
COMPOSERS UNDER 30 CATEGORY
Selected Work
Calmness II – Darja Kukal Moiseeva (presented by Czech Radio)
Recommended Works
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Aleksandrs Avramecs – Ausma / Dawn (presented by Latvian Public Service Media)
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João Caldas – Esta Montanha Já Foi Fogo (presented by RTP / Antena 2, Portugal)
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Gregor Kulla – wait, i’m forgetting something (presented by ERR, Estonia)
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Aleksandra Słyż – Suspended in Ratios (presented by P2, Polish Radio)