BMW Musica Viva Competition at its Sixth Edition

The BMW musica viva composition prize has been awarded every two years since 1998, comprising three prizes totaling 25,000 euros and a sponsorship prize by and independent jury of musicians and musicologists. The event was initiated by the Bavarian Radio and the BMW Group, assessing hundreds of works submitted by contestants from all over the world.

The lucky winner of the BMW musica viva composition prize is premiered at a Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra concert and has its work included in the repertoire.

“The composition prize competition, which is open to international applicants, is a good example of the BMW Group's cultural commitment. For more than 30 years our company has been committed to the promotion of culture, thereby living up to its social responsibility. In our commitment to musica viva we rely heavily on the enthusiasm and the innovative strength of young musicians,” said Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of the BMW AG, in a release for the press.

Composers that enter the competition are of any nationality up to the age of 40 and have to submit their composition until March 31, 2010. Their work, for orchestra, live electronics or multi-channel sound projection, have to have a duration of 15-20 minutes.

It has to be based only on the instrumentation of the Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra, such as winds, timbal, drums, harp, piano, celesta and strings. The electronic part may use up to 10 loudspeakers. Microphoning is limited to a maximum 32 individual channels.

When presenting the work to the jury, the composer has to be prepared with the following: a first draft of the full score comprising a minimum of 15 pages, an exposé for live electronics or a full score as well as a draft for sound projection.