Commissioned composition to win
The Bärenreiter publishing house is organizing a choral competition with the chance to win a commissioned composition by the Swedish composer Mårten Jansson.
Choirs wishing to participate study Jansson's work Mary IV (Bärenreiter BA 7412), make a video of it, upload it to YouTube and send the link to wettbewerb@baerenreiter.com The closing date for entries is October 31, 2018, and an international jury of choreographic experts will review the entries and select the winners. Three prizes will be awarded:
1st prize: A composition by Mårten Jansson tailored to the winning choir with the possibility of a world premiere, plus a music voucher for €500
2nd prize: music voucher for €300
3rd prize: €200 music voucher
Mårten Jansson (*1965) has made a name for himself in sacred choral music. For over ten years he was the director of Carmen, one of Sweden's best-known female vocal ensembles. The inspiration for his early compositions for female choir came from his work with this choir: "Knowing that what I had written during the night would be rehearsed the next day was a strong motivation for me. Other composers would be happy to have such an opportunity."
Mary IV (Här är din himmel) for mixed choir (SATB) was commissioned by the Swedish Royal Family for the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The text is by the Swedish poet Einar Askestad (premiere on March 17, 2013). The music describes Mary's sorrow as the mother of a child who does not belong to her, but to all of humanity.
