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Established in 2014 by the Azrieli Foundation, the Azrieli Music Prizes are inspired above all by values of social inclusion. They aim to reward and promote composers of all ages, all levels of experience and all origins or affiliations who, through their work, pursue a career in musical composition. Awarded once every two years at a gala concert, the prizes are divided into three categories.
First, there is the Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music, which recognizes the best work in Jewish music. According to the foundation website: “Defining Jewish music as both deeply rooted in history and tradition and forward-moving and dynamic, the AMP encourages themes and content drawn from contemporary Jewish life and experience.”
Distinct from the Prize for Jewish Music, the Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music is likewise open to national and international composers. Its aim is to provoke both creative and critical reflection on the question: What is Jewish music?
Finally, there is the Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, which is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Introduced last year, this prize is awarded to the composer who, through the production of a new musical work, leads a reflection on the Canadian identity and the challenges of composing concert music that is specific to this country.
In 2020, the Azrieli Music Prizes were dedicated to chamber music, which is to say works composed for ensembles of up to 16 instruments with a maximum of two soloists. In 2022 the foundation intends to honour orchestral music. At the biennial gala concert, which will take place in October 2022, the foundation will be able to count on the participation of the Orchestre Métropolitain in presenting the award-winning works.
Proposals and scores are accepted from Feb. 1 until May 2, 2021. The Azrieli Foundation invites composers, and especially female composers, to apply. Applicants are required to submit a work already completed or to compose a new work for an ensemble of up to 60 musicians. Each winner will receive $50,000. It should also be noted that the winning works will be performed at two international concerts and will be recorded and released on the Analekta label.
For full details on the call for proposals and scores, visit www.azrielifoundation.org.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en: Francais (French)