O/Modernt Composition Award Names Winner for 2023

American composer Christopher Enloe will have his work "Discourse for Piano Trio" premiered at the Festival O/Modernt in June 2023

Devised by the violinist Hugo Ticciati, the concept of O/Modernt (translated as ‘Un/Modern’) celebrates the past as a source of inspiration for artists and encourages the use of imaginative programming to explore connections between old and new.

In total, O/Modernt has commissioned more than 40 works over the last decade, ranging from short solo works to cantatas and symphonic music.

This year, the O/Modernt Composition Award went to Christopher Enloe. Enloe's work Discourse for Piano Trio emerged victorious over those submitted by 46 other competitors, with judges praising the work's expressive qualities and dramatic structure.

As part of the award, Enloe receives a cash prize of €4,000, as well as a premiere performance for the work at the Festival O/Modernt in Stockholm in June 2023. Three further territorial premieres will follow in Portugal, Finland, and Italy.

The Italian composer Leonardo Marino received a special distinction for his work Il Respiro delle corde tese, and both composers will have their pieces published on the scodo label of Universal Editions.

The competition jury was comprised of Jill Jarman (chair), Ondřej Adámek, Alasdair Beatson, Nicola Campogrande, Sebastian Fagerlund, Matthew Peterson, Vicky Sayles, Raminta Šerkšnytė, and Benjamin Staern.

Based in Baltimore, Matthew Enloe is presently studying for a doctorate in composition and a master’s in music theory pedagogy at Johns Hopkins University. His music has been performed across the United States, Israel, and Italy, and has won several awards.

"Many varied entries this year made for an enjoyable examination of the scores," said Jill Jarman, the chair of the jury. "The top few were very close, but the final two stood out in terms of their overall impact, with the runner-up, Respiro delle corde teste, receiving a special award for its originality and orchestration."

"The winning composition, Discourse for Piano Trio, impressed us with its beautiful strings, juxtaposed with tremendous rhythmic interest and energy."

"Once again, it was a joy to receive so many exciting and richly varied works from composers at many different stages in their careers," said Hugo Ticciati, the Founder and Artistic Dirctor of O/Modernt.

"While it was by no means an easy task for the distinguished jury to reach their final decision, I am delighted with the winning work, not least as a new expression of the spirit of O/Modernt," he added. "As a performer, I look forward to bringing the notes on paper to life in concert!"